Performance Fund 2011
The Performance Fund was established in 1980, under the charimanship of Anne Laurier, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Canadian Opera Company. In the years that followed, we continued to sponsor one COC opera performance or production each season. In 2009, as a result of our new vision to support young opera-singers-in-training we shifted our support from COC mainstage productions to those of the COC Ensemble Studio.
This year's ARIAS Performance Fund event was a special COC Ensemble Studio performance of one of Mozart's most popular operas. On Thursday, February 17, 2011, ARIAS was the performance sponsor of the Canadian Opera Company's Ensemble Studio performance of Mozart's magical opera, The Magic Flute. Johannes Debus conducted the ensemble performers who were joined by the full COC orchestra and chorus.
This exciting event was a great opportunity for ARIAS to foster the amazing talent in the COC Ensemble Studio. Our annual sponsorship of an Ensemble Studio performance is an important ARIAS' project which supports our mission of helping opera students and talented young singers-in-training.
We are extremely thankful to all our generous patrons and donors who took part in this worthwhile endeavour.
Marlene Kalchos | ARIAS Production Fund Chair
The Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio
The COC Ensemble Studio is widely recognized as the country’s foremost performance and training program for young opera professionals and is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its creation in 2010. The members of the Ensemble Studio are the COC’s resident artists and are important ambassadors for the company. Since its inception in 1980, over 150 young professional Canadian singers, opera coaches, stage directors, and conductors have acquired their first major professional operatic experience through the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio. Chosen through a national audition process, members of the Ensemble Studio receive a blend of advanced study and practical experience over a period of one to three years. Former members include Ben Heppner, Isabel Bayrakdarian, Gidon Saks, John Fanning, Wendy Nielsen, Yannick-Muriel Noah, and Joseph Kaiser.
The COC Ensemble Studio is Canada’s premier training program for young opera professionals and provides advanced instruction, hands-on experience, and career development opportunities. The Ensemble Studio is generously supported by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage, ARIAS (formerly the Canadian Opera Volunteer Committee), In loving memory of Mr. George R. Bishop, from his family & friends, The John A. Cook Young Artist Development Fund, In honour of Earlaine Collins, In honour of Ninalee Craig, Estate of Horst Dantz, Michael & Lora Gibbens, Ethel Harris, The Audrey S. Hellyer Charitable Foundation, Peter & Hélène Hunt, Patrick & Barbara Keenan, The Hal Jackman Fund at the Ontario Arts Foundation, Jo Lander, Ruby Mercer Fund, George Cedric Metcalf Charitable Foundation, Roger D. Moore Ensemble Studio Endowment Fund, RBC Foundation, Katalin Schäfer, In honour of Colleen Sexsmith, The Slaight Family, The Stratton Trust, William and Phyllis Waters, and an anonymous donor.
(excerpt from www.coc.ca)
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