German-born conductor Johannes Debus was appointed Music Director of the Canadian Opera Company in 2009, having already established himself in many of the great opera houses and festivals worldwide. Over the course of his tenure, he has captivated Toronto and international critics alike, skillfully leading productions that include Götterdämmerung, Eugene Onegin, Otello, Salome, and the COC world premiere of Hadrian in 2018. Throughout the pandemic disruption of 2020-2022, his work for digital included the hosting of Solo Spotlights, a video series highlighting musicians of the COC Orchestra, as well as conducting for several of the company’s online presentations, including: In Winter, In Concert with Jane Archibald, and Bluebeard’s Castle. Debus most recently conducted the COC’s productions of Fidelio, Don Giovanni, and The Cunning Little Vixen, and will conduct Faust, La Reine-garçon, and Wozzeck in the company’s 2024/2025 season.

When he is not conducting at the COC, Debus is very active with international engagements that include appearances with the BBC Proms, the orchestras of Boston, Baltimore, Cleveland, Aspen, the National Arts Centre, Houston, and Toronto, at the Spoleto, Bregenz, and Tanglewood festivals, and at opera companies such as San Francisco, Berlin Staatsoper, Komische Oper Berlin, Oper Frankfurt, and Bayerische Staatsoper, among many others. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 2016 conducting Salome, and returned the following year to conduct Les contes d'Hoffmann.

In 2021, Debus co-founded the Biglake Festival in Prince Edward County, Ontario. The annual summer event showcases music that bridges the past and present, originating from various countries and influenced by a diverse range of cultures from around the world.

David C. Ferguson is a well-known and widely respected leader across sectors and brings a strong record of professional accomplishment and personal passion for the arts to the role of General Director of the Canadian Opera Company. As an avid opera supporter, Mr. Ferguson has a long history of involvement with the COC that extends to time as both President and Chair of the company’s Board of Directors.

Prior to his retirement, he served as Executive Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of BMO Capital Markets. Mr. Ferguson’s previous experience includes 25 years in public accounting, including 16 years as a partner. In 2006, Mr. Ferguson was awarded the designation of Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Professional Accountants (FCPA), an honour granted for career achievement, service to the profession, and community service.

Mr. Ferguson holds Bachelor of Commerce and MBA degrees from the University of Toronto.

Christie Darville is an established leader in Canada’s not-for-profit sector with demonstrated expertise in strategic operations, team building, fundraising and stewardship, as well as collaborative community engagement.

Over her tenure with the Canadian Opera Company, Darville has brought contributed revenue to record levels and spearheaded a number of significant projects that include the revitalization of the Canadian Opera Company Theatre (located 227 Front St. E.) into a community-rooted platform for contemporary and diverse stories; the launch of COC’s Free Digital Membership, championing increased opera access through livestreamed and recorded opera experiences; the creation of Centre Stage Gala, the company’s signature annual fundraiser in support of the COC Ensemble Studio artist development program; and the merging of the COC’s Community Partnerships and Programs team with the Philanthropy & Audiences team for enhanced programming, cross-promotional, and relationship-building opportunities.

Darville was appointed to Deputy General Director in 2020, reflecting her cumulative achievements in furthering the company’s strategic goals as well as exceptional leadership demonstrated in guiding the COC through a years-long pandemic disruption. In her current role, Darville seamlessly manages and aligns the needs of the company’s artistic and administrative bodies, the COC Board and Canadian Opera Foundation, as well as external supporters and stakeholders.

Previous to joining the Canadian Opera Company, Darville served as Associate Director of Development, Faculty of Arts & Science with the University of Toronto, leading the development and implementation of fundraising campaigns, and overseeing all major gift activity, annual giving, and research portfolios.