Opera 5 has loved working with so many incredible artists, creatives, and production teams over the years. Check out what we’ve been up to!
Our Past Seasons
2023 /
2024
THREEPENNY SUBMARINE SEASON 1
Our 2023/2024 featured the release of season 1 of Threepenny Submarine! Click here to watch Iona and Lydian’s deep-sea adventure!
THE TURN OF THE SCREW
The Turn of the Screw brought together an exceptional team of Canadian artists and creatives for a fresh take on Britten’s spooky psychological thriller. The Turn of the Screw marked Opera 5’s return to live performance after Covid-19, and introduced the Opera Intern Program in partnership with Opera McGill. This exciting new program welcome six students into the production, allowing them to each cover a role, perform on one evening, participate in professional development learning, and develop a secondary skill in production, design, or administration.
2020 /
2021
THREEPENNY SUBMARINE PILOT
Created in isolation as a co-production with Gazelle Automations,Threepenny Submarine combines practical puppetry, film, opera, and classical music, with a hint of nostalgia. Threepenny is meant to be enjoyed by kids, families, and the young at heart! View the episode here: www.threepennysubmarine.com
OPERACON
Musique 3 Femmes and Opera 5 presents the first ever “OperaCon” a digital pop-up connecting students, artists, and innovation in opera. Hosted by Opera McGill at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music, this 3 day event featured artist-led discussions from across the country, exploring technology and its role in the arts, emerging arts leadership/entrepreneurship, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
2018 /
2019
OPEN CHAMBERS: HINDEMITH & SHOSTAKOVICH
A Dora nominated success exploring staging vocal chamber music of Hindemith and Shostakovich featuring Jacqueline Woodley and Trio Ink.
REVIEWS
“The performances were of a very high quality…”
“Hansen’s staging was quite striking.”
“…very enjoyable and I’d highly recommend it.”
2017 /
2018
IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA
A critical success and audience favourite of this classic Rossini comedy, which was bursting with Canadian talent. This show received 2 Dora nominations.
REVIEW
“Opera 5’s production of Il barbiere di Siviglia is a simple and successful adaptation. By using the small theatre space to their advantage it was easy to be drawn into the story, and the cast breathes new life into some of the most well-known characters in opera.” - Opera Canada
2016 /
2017
SINGING ALONG IN SUPPORT
Opera 5’s fourth annual fundraising gala.
SUFFRAGETTE
A double bill of Dame Ethel Smyth’s “Fête Galante” and “The Boatswain’s Mate.” Both shows were Canadian premieres and explored the music of this under appreciated female composer.
2015 /
2016
THE OPERA 500
Opera 5’s third annual fundraising gala.
OPERA AT WARP SPEED
A hysterically funny Opera primer for adults, and a journey through Opera’s greatest hits with a sci-fi twist! This is a show for all ages, sending up the goofiest aspects of Opera, Star Trek and Star Wars, complete with Opera 5 and the Kingston Symphony Orchestra.
TRABED’S OPERA TRAINING WHEELS
Opera is for everybody, even kids! Let Opera 5 and the Kingston Symphony help you with this A to Z of everything Opera, while having a great time on a Sunday afternoon!
DIE FLEDERMAUS
Opera 5’s immersive take on Strauss’ classic operetta! The smash success of 2016, hailed as a triumph, was described as “Daring… there was nothing from the COC this year with the confident swagger of this show.”
2014 /
2015
EQUINOX: DAY VS NIGHT
Opera 5’s second annual fundraising gala.
OFFENBACH & HAHN
Two French operas presented in collaboration with the Alliance Francais de Toronto. L’ile du reve by Reynaldo Hahn, and Ba-ta-clan by Jacques Offenbach. Production gallery here.
MODERN (FAMILY) OPERA
Featuring the world premier of Storybook by Darren Russo, and Il segretto di Susanna by Ermano Wolf-Ferrari, this show explored the dysfunctions of the modern family. Production photos here.
2013 /
2014
ACTION!
Opera 5’s first annual fundraising gala, with a Hollywood theme. Check out pictures from the star-studded night here.
IN PACE REQUIESCAT
A spooky evening of operas based on stories by Edgar Allen Poe. The Cask of the Amontialldo by Daniel Pinkham, La chute de la maison usher by Claude Debussy, and the world premier of The Masque of the Red Death by Cecilia Livingston. Click here for production photos.
TENORS, TRUMPETS, AND LA TRAVIATA
In collaboration with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony. Trabed the puppet learns the ABC’s of opera with help from his good friend, Hannah, and the Opera 5 gang. Photos can be found here.
2012 /
2013
LA VOIX HUMAINE / BLUEBEARD’S CASTLE
This double bill featured La voix humaine by Francis Poulenc and Bluebeard’s Castle by Bela Bartok, and took place at the Arts&Letters Club in Toronto in May of 2012. Click here to see the production gallery.
BESAME OPERA
An evening of Spanish opera and sangria. Featuring El retablo de maese Pedro by Manuel de Falla, and Goyescas by Enrique Granados. Find the gallery here.
OPERA EATS
This three course opera and food pairing featured Hin und Zuruck by Paul Hindemith, Aleko by Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Talk Opera by Milton Granger. Find the full production album here.
OPERA 5 AT THE OTTAWA FRINGE
Opera 5 took its production of La voix humaine to the Ottawa Fringe Festival and won the Capital City Critics’ Choice Award for Best Overall Production. Check out our gallery here.