Opera Atelier » Period.Pieces

An Evening of Courtly Pleasures

Marshall — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 13:43:48 +0000

At Opera Atelier, our goal is to top the previous season with every production we present. We know our patrons expect no less from us, which is why our productions strive for a level of beauty and daring that captivates and inspires our audiences to greater levels of engagement.

It is this same approach we take to presenting our annual Versailles Gala. Our first gala started out as a small cocktail reception on the 68^th floor of the Bank of Montreal and has now grown into one of the splashiest cultural events held in Toronto.

This glamorous event attracted … Read more

The Atelier of Wonders – Rosaria

Marshall — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:48:37 +0000

The last gala committee meeting for Opera Atelier 2013 Versailles Gala has just finished and I am on my way home: 15 days to go before the big event. I am thinking of all the great work done so far, the support both individuals and companies are showing, the gorgeous setting and entertainment laid out for the evening, and the pressing question of what to wear. Because… I am going to the Ball!

Funnily enough it was a gala I missed that brought me in contact with Opera Atelier in the first place. Exactly a year ago I was attending … Read more

Thoughts on letter writing

Marshall — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:49:02 +0000

We’re just back from a spectacular tour of The Magic Flute to the US. The Magic Flute enjoyed an enormous success and became more of a delight with every performance.

While on tour, I read The Missing Ink by Philip Hensher, and it was particularly appropriate, given the amount of letter writing I do when I’m away from home. Hensher’s very amusing book deals with “the lost art of handwriting” and among other things dwells on what a pleasure it is to receive correspondence that is written by hand. I couldn’t agree more! Over the years, I … Read more

The 2013 Versailles Gala!

Marshall — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 20:47:05 +0000

This year’s Versailles Gala is going to rock! With a dynamic committee led by Diane Kazarian of PwC, a killer team of staff, and an army of volunteers, Opera Atelier is going host the most luxurious gala event yet on May 29^th at the Ritz-Carlton.

Have you been to the Ritz-Carlton in Toronto? You should go. It’s absolutely stunning. Opera Atelier will take over the entire second floor, and after being welcomed upstairs, guests will see the magnificent views of Roy Thomson Hall from the floor-to-ceiling windows in the Grand Foyer.

While our guests make their way … Read more

Olivier LaQuerre, a 6’7” Hummingbird

Marshall — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 14:48:17 +0000

“Bass-baritone Olivier Laquerre (another veteran of many OA productions) seemed both vocally and dramatically at home in the role of Papageno. And when he was joined bysoprano Carla Huhtanen as Papagena, feathers flew in a lively and well-paced duet.”
- Colin Eatock, Eatock Daily

Just take a look at this photo of Olivier LaQuerre and Carla Huhtanen. For me it says everything about the astonishing delicacy and grace of these two singers, but at the moment I’m focusing on Olivier, our adorable Papageno. At 6’7” you would think Olivier would frighten the children in the audience by his sheer size, … Read more

The Three Ladies of The Magic Flute!

Marshall — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:36:59 +0000

Carla Huhtanen, Cassandra Warner and Laura Pudwell tell us all about this hilarious trio!

A flying machine!

Marshall — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 15:52:27 +0000

With a fantasy like The Magic Flute, you just know we’ll have characters swooping in to save the day! Here’s a little clip of just that, plus an original sketch of the set piece by Gerard Gauci!

The Queen of the Night

Marshall — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:16:49 +0000

After that wonderful article from Gerard Gauci about how our iconic Queen image came to be, I’m sure you’re all dying to know who this character is, and what to expect starting Saturday night at the Elgin. Here is our Queen, Ambur Braid, to tell you all about the baddest of the bad – The Queen of the Night!

Really Big Hair

Marshall — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:26:22 +0000

In case you haven’t noticed, here at Opera Atelier, we believe in glamour! Over the years we’ve worked hard to develop a style that reflects the opulence and sensuality of operas from the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th centuries. That style is evident in our promotional materials just as it is on stage.

In 1991, when I was asked to design a poster for The Magic Flute, I was excited to have the chance to create an image that synthesized all the delight, fantasy and sophistication found in Mozart’s most beloved opera.

Sometimes … Read more

Pa-pa-pa-Papageno!

Marshall — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 19:14:49 +0000

Did you see The Toronto Star this weekend? If not, you missed a great article on Papageno and Papagena! Check out the excerpt below, or read the full article – including video! – here.

Opera Atelier’s Magic Flute hopes to reach new audience

By: Trish Crawford, Music

“It’s not the “bird dance,” but Olivier LaQuerre and Carla Huhtanen certainly shake their tail feathers in the upcoming Opera Atelier production of The Magic Flute.

The baritone and soprano portray the comic couple Papageno and Papagena in the Mozart opera written shortly before his death in 1791. It is a