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 NEWSLETTER

No. 24 DECEMBER 1, 2025

NOTE FROM ARTISTIC DIRECTOR:                                 

OPEROTTAWA had a very busy fall, with our ITALIAN GALA in September, and more recently our semi-staged production of GIULIO CESARE IN EGITTO by Handel.  Both productions were highly successful and the Handel opera hit a new high standard of artistic and musical excellence for OperOttawa. At both shows, thanks to the generosity of our fellow arts organizations and private donors, we were able to raise much needed funds that helped us to balance the budget once again.

As more and more arts organizations struggle to stay alive, and many who have ceased operations, the support of all opera lovers in Ottawa is more important than ever.

I am super excited to remind you all of our next production A TRIBUTE TO THE WORKS OF RALPH AND URSULA VAUGHAN WILLIAMS on Sunday March 8th, 2026 at First Baptist Church.  The concert will include award winning violinist MARC DJOKIC playing The Lark Ascending and Violin Sonata 1; MATTHEW LARKIN performing the Prelude and Fugue in C minor for organ; FREDERIC LACROIX playing a piano solos Fantasia on Greensleeves, and The Lake in the Mountains; and a selection of Art Songs sung by soprano ERINNE-COLLEEN LAURIN. In addition, we will have a special visit by Ursula Vaughan Williams as portrayed by ANIA HEJNAR, reading many of her poems that inspired the songs of her husband.

I hope to see many of you in attendance at this show, and I encourage you to buy your tickets sooner than later.  The success of this concert will truly determine if there is a future in Ottawa for OperOttawa. 

Until then, I wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all the best from all of us at OperOttawa for the New Year.  May 2026 be a year of happiness and joy for us all.

                         Norman E. Brown, Founding Artistic Director

OPEROTTAWA PRODUCES AN ARTISTICALLY SUCCESSFUL PRODUCTION OF THE HANDEL OPERA GIULIO CESARE IN EGITTO

Review Quotes (Source: Edwin Dreessen)

“The choir had a small role but performed it excellently“

“Counter-tenor Ian Sabourin as Cesare … simply blew me away with his clarity of tone and mastery of the little notes“

“Mezzo-soprano Carole Portelance as Cornelia …  produced a beautiful passionate sound“

“Beverly McArthur as Tolomeo …and Mary Zborowski as Sesto  were excellent“

“Ania Hejnar as Cleopatra displayed a well-rounded voice… rich voice“

“The role of Achille was ably performed by bass Alasdair Campbell“

PHOTOS:

In rehearsal:

STANDING OVATION AT THE CURTAIN CALL

TIME TO GET YOUR TICKETS FOR A TRIBUTE TO THE WORKS OF RALPH AND URSULA VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

HOW TO BUY TICKETS TO OPEROTTAWA EVENTS

There are many ways to purchase tickets to any of the OperOttawa performances.

1. Contact a member of the cast and they can help you purchase tickets.

2. Through Eventbrite

TRIBUTE TO THE WORKS OF RALPH AND URSULA VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

  https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1313131314109?aff=oddtdtcreator

3. Through OperOttawa directly at OperOttawa222@gmail.com or norman_e_brown@rogers.com

Just send your ticket request, the names of the attendees and then an  e-transfer of the funds.  

In all cases, your name(s) will be on a list at the entrance of First Baptist Church for easy and quick entry.  No need to worry about lost or mislaid tickets.

4. At the door (we accept cash or personal cheques or e-transfers)

DETAILS ABOUT THE OUTSTANDING  ARTISTS IN OUR TRIBUTE TO THE WORKS OF RALPH AND URSULA VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

MARC DJOKIC

Will be playing “The Lark Ascending“

And “Sonata 1“

MATTHEW LARKIN

Will be playing the “Prelude and Fugue in C minor“ for organ

FREDERIC LACROIX

Will be pianist for the violin and soprano solos, as well as playing “Fantasia on Greensleeves“  and “The Lake in the Mountains“.

ERINNE-COLLEEN LAURIN

Will be singing excerpts from “The Songs of Travel“ as well as other songs written for soprano

ANIA HEJNAR

Will be reading several poems written by Ursula portraying Ursula.

One example:

THE OPEROTTAWA MISSION STATEMENT

OPEROTTAWA is proud of its legacy over the past 13 years, bringing opera productions to Ottawa throughout the year. We engage 90% local singers and musicians. Our mandate is to provide opportunities for young singers to work beside seasoned international singers, singing small roles, or covering major roles.  We work and rehearse in a safe and congenial environment. OperOttawa has commissioned three world premieres written by local composer Jack Hui Litster (The Day You Were Born, What is Love, and Gates of Heaven: Requiem for a Life of Peace). Our goal is to continue this legacy by producing operas and concerts of opera from the Baroque period as well as some of the very popular Classical operas by composers such as Mozart, and even delving into some Heritage Canadian Operas.

THANKS TO THOSE WHO DONATED TO OUR VIP HOLIDAY SILENT AUCTION

BYTOWN VOICES

CANADIAN CENTENNIAL CHOIR

MUSICA VIVA SINGERS

OPEROTTAWA

ORPHEUS MUSICAL THEATRE

OTTAWA SENATORS

SEVENTEEN VOYCES

TONE CLUSTER

CAN YOU OR YOUR BUSINESS HELP OPEROTTAWA STAY ALIVE 

If you or someone you know who LOVES OPERA, and is in a position to make a donation of any amount, it will go a long way to ensuring our future here at OperOttawa.  If interested please contact me to discuss. (norman_e_brown@rogers.com)

Another way to help OperOttawa is by purchasing an ad space in our performance program (which will also be acknowledged in all our media outreach).

It can be an individual or a corporate donation.  Corporate sponsorships receive a valuable package of perks.  Contact us to find out more.

By ensuring our future, you are also ensuring the future for all the local singers and musicians we contract for our shows.  

HOW SPECIFICALLY YOUR GIFT CAN HELP:

$100 donation will help cover the cost of a few of our CHORUS MEMBERS

$250 donation will cover the cost of our rent for our rehearsals

$500 donation will help offset the cost of our insurance

$1,000 donation will pay the fee for a few of our soloists

$1,500 donation will pay the fees for several of our orchestra members

OTHER MUSICAL EVENTS OF INTEREST:

CANADIAN CENTENNIAL CHOIR

ORPHEUS MUSICAL THEATRE

BYTOWN VOICES

17 VOYCES

MUSICA VIVA SINGERS

OTTAWA CHORAL SOCIETY

THE GLADSTONE THEATRE

 OPEROTTAWA BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Norman E. Brown – President, Artistic Director & CEO

Carole Portelance – Vice-president

Erinne-Colleen Laurin – Treasurer

Guy Edrington – Secretary

Patricia Beckett – Member-at-large

Advisory Committee

Michael J. Hudson CPA CA – Accountant/Auditor

Mary Zborowski – Programming and Personnel Advisor

Jean-E Hudson / Katie Gratton – Stage Management

Patti Linn – Performance Venue Liaison

Volunteers

Box Office – Marc Tessier, Line Seguin

Front of House – Michael Hudson

Crew – Michael Hudson

PLEASE SHARE WITH ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS.

CONTACT:  OperOttawa222@gmail.co