On Friday, we sent out a press release announcing that for the first time in almost twenty years all seven operas of our mainstage season will be recorded and broadcast by the CBC. This is a major achievement for our company and will hopefully allow us to reach new audiences throughout the country. It wouldn't have been possible without the commitment of our artists (orchestra, chorus and soloists) and their unions to reach an agreement with us. I am deeply grateful to them.

The response on this new initiative has been overwhelmingly positive and yesterday's press coverage was impressive. Developing the art form of opera, exposing more people to opera and making it accessible to everybody with all possible means should be one of our major goals for the future. This is a modest first step, but I hope many more will follow and soon our operas will be on the radio, on the internet, on television and in movie theatres.

Alas, for all who think this is a new stream of revenue for the COC: I have to disappoint you. It means we have to commit to an additional expense. However, I am convinced it will be money very well spent!

Madama Butterfly will be on CBC Radio 2's Saturday Afternoon at the Opera on 28th November, followed by the Nightingale and Other Short Fables on 5th December. I hope you will welcome the COC into your living rooms, kitchens, cars or wherever else you are.