COC Social Media Releases

The Canadian Opera Company’s 12th annual Fine Wine Auction brings 300 enthusiasts together to bid on almost a quarter of a million dollars worth of hard-to-find fine wines on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at the trendy Crush Wine Bar (455 King St. W.) in Toronto. Hosted by CTV reporter Paul Bliss.

Guests will nibble on delicious and elegant chocolates, cheeses, tasting wines and delicacies supplied by Cheese Boutique, as well as bid on a variety of silent auction items.

Tickets to the wine auction are $85 and can be purchased online or by calling 416-363-8231. All proceeds benefit the COC.

Facebook event

Some of the wines on offer:

• 1966, 1970, 1976, 1983 Château Lafite Rothschild
• 1970, 1976, 1981, 1983 Château Latour
• 1966, 1982, 1986, 1995 Château Margaux
• 1999 Château d’Yquem
• 1994, 2003 Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon
• 1995, 1998, 2003 Harlan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2004 Ornellaia Masseto

Photos from the 2010 Fine Wine Auction 

Download Wines up for auction at the Canadian Opera Company's annual Fine Wine Auction, 2010. Photo © Maria Lioutaia 2010

Download Wines up for auction at the Canadian Opera Company's annual Fine Wine Auction, 2010. Photo © Maria Lioutaia 2010

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The Canadian Opera Company’s spring 2010/2011 season continues with one of Richard Strauss’s most brilliant operas, Ariadne auf Naxos.  The legendary Sir Andrew Davis conducts the COC Orchestra in this masterful madcap melodrama, performed by a sublime cast led by Canadian stars, soprano Adrianne Pieczonka and tenor Richard Margison and staged by award-winning Australian director Neil Armfield.  Ariadne auf Naxos runs for eight performances at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts on April 30, May 3, 12, 15, 18, 21, 27 and 29, 2011, and is sung in German with English SURTITLES™.

Synopsis

About the Production

About the Cast and Creative Team

• Adrianne Pieczonka as Ariadne: Seen and Heard International calls her "one of the most important artists working today," noting that "her Ariadne was simply superb . . . a truly wonderful performance from a great artist in her prime." 
• Richard Margison as Bacchus, a role he has sung "with impressive confidence" (The New York Times) at the Metropolitan Opera
• Jane Archibald as the coloratura Zerbinetta, a role which has earned her ecstatic reviews across Europe. Paris Update calls her "one of the great Zerbinettas."
• Of Alice Coote (singing the role of The Composer), The Telegraph says that she "charges music with an edge, fire and intensity that no other British singer can currently rival."

Photos

Click "Download" below the photos for larger versions. If using the photo on your website or blog, please be sure to include the photo credit.

Download (centre) Brian Galliford as the Dancing Master in the Welsh National Opera’s production of Ariadne auf Naxos, 2004. Photo: Clive Barda

Download (l–r) D'arcy Bleiker as Harlequin and Katarzyna Dondalska as Zerbinetta) in the Welsh National Opera’s production of Ariadne auf Naxos, 2004. Photo: Clive Barda

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The Canadian Opera Company’s spring 2010/2011 season opens with Gioacchino Rossini’s Cinderella (La Cenerentola), a sparkling rendition of the cherished fairytale.  This timeless story of the triumph of love comes to life in a colourful storybook production ideal for all ages, created by the Spanish artist collective Els Comediants led by director Joan Font. Leading the COC Orchestra and Chorus is rising young Italian conductor Leonardo Vordoni, recognized across the United States and abroad for his musicality and interpretation of the Italian repertoire.  Sung in Italian with English SURTITLES™, Cinderella runs for nine performances at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts on April 23, 28, May 1, 7, 10, 13, 19, 22 and 25, 2011.

Synopsis

About the Production

About the Cast and Creative Team

• Elizabeth DeShong, who will sing the title role, was last seen at the COC as Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Elizabeth DeShong has both a twitter account and a blog, titled A Singer's Suitcase.
• Lawrence Brownlee, one of today's foremost bel canto tenors, makes his COC debut as Cinderella's prince, Don Ramiro. 
• Baritone and COC favourite Brett Polegato (seen in 2009’s Madama Butterfly and 2008’s Don Giovanni) plays Don Ramiro's valet, who switches roles with the prince as a test of love.
• The roles of Cinderella's stepsisters will be played by two young artists of the COC Ensemble Studio: Rihab Chaieb and Ileana Montalbetti.
• Conductor Leonardo Vordoni makes his COC debut. He has a blog and is active on twitter.
• Spanish theatre troupe Els Comediants led by director Joan Font make their COC directorial debut. 

Photos

Click "Download" below the photos for larger versions. If using the photo on your website or blog, please be sure to include the photo credit.

Download (l–r) Catherine Cook as Tisbe, Joyce DiDonato as Cenerentola, and Tamara Wilson as Clorinda in the Houston Grand Opera’s production of La Cenerentola, 2007. Photo: Brett Coomer

Download (in foreground, l–r) Lawrence Brownlee as Don Ramiro, Earle Patriarco as Dandini (in background, l–r) Catherine Cook as Tisbe, Patrick Carfizzi as Don Magnifico, and Tamara Wilson as Clorinda in the Houston Grand Opera’s production of La Cenerentola, 2007. Photo: Brett Coomer

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