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Opera Atelier is North America’s premier period opera/ballet company, producing the opera, ballet and drama of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. While drawing upon the aesthetics and ideals of the period, Opera Atelier goes beyond “reconstruction” and infuses each production with an inventive theatricality that resonates with modern audiences. Led by founding artistic directors Marshall Pynkoski and Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg since 1985, Opera Atelier has garnered acclaim for its performances at home as well as in the United States, Europe and Asia.
The two pieces presented by Opera Atelier, Acteon and Pygmalion, allowed us to see how baroque opera developed and changed in France over a period of half a century. The contrast of the two pieces was fascinating.
I enjoyed the evening, the players and the theatre. The stories are a bit old fashioned in their presentation but I enjoyed myself all the same and would go again. I would like to see a more modern interpretation of both productions.
As always, ultimate perfection, acousticly & visually. High standards of performance. The costumes are always spectacular, the voices perfect and the dancing amazing. Some of the scenes resemble a fine painting. One leaves with the feeling is great satisfaction.
This was my first opera (but not last),a bucket list item. It started out a little slow for me with the wretched human sailor, but soon picked up the pace. I enjoyed the story and how it unfolded. The set designs were simple but highly effective. The singing was heavenly throughout although I was taken aback after Neptune's Bass-Baritone and the contrast in the voice of the first God in the cloud(Neptune?) Too many wonderful moments to note. I will go again. The orchestra was outstanding.
It’s a beautiful sensitive opera especially with Tafelmusik accompaniment. Not for the first timer.
Different type of opera (ballet/opera) -- Quite different type of music... need to get used to that style
I go to a lot of opera performances and many venues like the MET and Four Seasons. Opera Atelier's The Return of Ulysses was a "bust". It is full of supporters who can't get into the better companies so they created their own - not unlike parents who insist their son or daughter get a medical degree and after being rejected at all Canadian and American Universities they send them to a Caribbean Medical School for their medical degree.The presentation was at best, mediocre, limited sets, erratic staging, and poor choreography. The voices and sing were at least present. They would have been better off to simply do a recital - it would have been more honest.
Opera Atelier's production of Marriage of Figaro was great. Having it sung in English made it more accessible and the cast was wonderful. It did seem to be more musical than opera.
This was our first time to an opera. I didn’t know this was in English. I was kinda disappointed that it was. Feels like it was dumbed down being in English. The seats were good. The actors were very good. But I expected the music and singing to be much louder and reverberate thru me more. Maybe it was the venue. I wanted to literally feel the music. We were a party of 6 and all of us just thought it was okay. Underwhelmed I guess.
An unforgettable experience! All artists gave 100%.
very much enjoyed, would have preferred seats to be more central but they were fine
Mesmerizing performance. One of the best Operas Opera Atelier has staged. Costumes, singing, acting, dancing, staging PERFECT!
The acting, music and production value was great. Peggy Kriha Dye was exceptional.
Costumes wonderful, great sets, dance scenes delightful, all singing fabulous, orchestra and choir fabulous, Colin Ainsworth has such a sweet lyrical voice; but Peggy Kriha Dye as Medea stole the show, not just for her singing, which was BEAUTIFUL but also for her acting which was totally absorbing. When she did the scene where she was gathering the forces of darkness, I got chills and felt slightly frightened she was so convincing. Awesome theatre. Thank you.
5 Stars! Bravo! Medea was spectacular! We were treated to sweet and savory operatic voices, period musical instruments from the lute family, beautiful graceful movements of ballet, colourful period costumes, artistically creative backdrops and sets and of course what would baroque music be without the melodic sounds of the harpsichord. The storyline could be a modern day tragic romance story, proving that the styles around us may change but the human condition does not. Thoroughly enjoyed the performance, extremely moving! The company will make Canada proud when it moves on to perform Medea at the famed Royal Opera House at the Palace of Versailles to help celebrate Canada 150.
The opera staging set the mood of the story. Gaucis artistry focused the production. By writing an introduction acted by a talented actor accompanied by the ever brilliant Tafelmusik Orchestra,, Opera Atelier once again showed true innovation that keeps the loyal returning show after show. The singing was lyrical and dramatic. Dido was a real character, the sorceress evil yet humorous and the choirs precision combined to take this fan to a new level of wonder.
A fine re-imagining of an old story, updating it while staying true to the original to the extent that we know of it from the fragments that remain. Singing,acting,dancing and sets all came together in support of the whole experience of the evening.
The production was classy, smart and funny enlivened by beautiful music orchestra. Love the narrator in the beginning and the whole performance breathed such youthful spirits.
I have seen many operas, but this one was the top as far as I am concerned. The staging was wonderful, and the voices incredible!!! I would go again to see this perfect opera, sitting in the seat in which I sat!!
Congratulations on a first rate production. I loved the music. In all honesty, I had only ever heard the overture. The song-craft was also very strong. Congratulations to all the leads. Tell me- why were the two male leads played by females - because it is 2015 perhaps? Dancing was awesome and contributed to the story line rather than just provide eye candy. Tafelmusik and Fallis were flawless - please arrange for David to get up on stage for a bow with the leads at the end. The best is saved for last - Gauci' s sets are jaw-droppingly beautiful. It's a pity the prison scene couldn't be better lit - the details in the art-work from opera-glasses perspective were just phenomenal - my heartiest congratulations. BTW - I have a framed poster of "The Magic Flute" - vintage 2001 hanging in my office and it never fails to get very positive comments. Thank you for a very bright spot on my music calendar.
