I began volunteering for the opera in 1993 and have been fortunate to have seen a great majority of the operas. I never would have been able to afford even one were it not for the exceptional organizational skills of Bob and Ling and Jennifer. These 3 individuals allowed me to sell tickets for the car lottery and then were always able to get me, usually, a front row seat. No words to express my appreciation. For me it’s a terrific high being so close to the stage and hearing the orchestra so close up.
Sitting 5 feet or so behind Maestro Bonynge on Saturday night was as sublime as Norma itself. I thought Kate Aldrich, the American soprano , was as an outstanding performance as I have ever heard. Her beauty and voice will one day, I predict, make her the Joan Sutherland of this era. Thank you to Jennifer and her wonderful predecessors for providing all of us with such happiness in being able to watch one of the world’s greatest opera companies.
Finally I remember working the Stage Door one Saturday night with a wonderful volunteer name Del. I didn’t want to see the opera that night as I thought I needed to write important letters to my children in California. I owed them a letter. Well, Del insisted, and I grudgingly went inside to see one of the most glorious operas I have every heard: Nabucco. My frown soon turned to a huge smile and still think it was, until Norma last Saturday, one of the great moments in my opera life. Will also never forget a couple of Marriage of Figaros, A Don Giovanni, and a Magic Flute. Life is wonderful with Vancouver Opera.
-Andy Krieger
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Welcome to VO's Golden Memories Blog!
In celebration of VO's Golden Anniversary, we invite you to share your Golden Memories of Vancouver Opera!
Click here to email your Golden Memory to VO.
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Dame Joan Sutherland's Golden Memory
I send my warmest greetings to Vancouver Opera and to the cast of this 2009 production of Norma.
I have such happy memories of when I did my very first production of Norma in Vancouver in 1963 with my friends Marilyn Horne, John Alexander and Richard Cross.
Many of my most treasured memories come from Vancouver. Beautiful productions of Lucia, Lucrezia Borgia, Le roi de Lahore, Merry Widow and Don Giovanni.
How it would have given me such great pleasure to come to Vancouver for your Norma performances but alas my health does not permit it. I send you all my love.
-Joan Sutherland, OM, AC, DBE
I have such happy memories of when I did my very first production of Norma in Vancouver in 1963 with my friends Marilyn Horne, John Alexander and Richard Cross.
Many of my most treasured memories come from Vancouver. Beautiful productions of Lucia, Lucrezia Borgia, Le roi de Lahore, Merry Widow and Don Giovanni.
How it would have given me such great pleasure to come to Vancouver for your Norma performances but alas my health does not permit it. I send you all my love.
-Joan Sutherland, OM, AC, DBE
Maestro Richard Bonynge's Golden Memory
Vancouver is for me a very special place.
I made my operatic debut in Faust at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in 1963 with John Alexander, Doris Yarick, Richard Cross and Victor Braun. Thereafter I spent many of my happiest evenings performing in your lovely city.
Many operas we did for the first time in Canada: Semiramide, La Buona Figliuola, Rodelinda, Le Roi de Lahore as well as performances of Mignon, Ballo in Maschera, La Fille du Régiment and Queen of Spades.
So many wonderful singers joined me: Louis Quillico, Huguette Tourangeau, Jan Rubes, James Morris, Regina Resnik, Spiro Malas, Samuel Ramey, Ermanno Mauro and countless others who gave great pleasure to the Vancouver public.
The time I spent in Vancouver I count as a most important and enjoyable part of my life and I am more than happy to be back again in my former haunts.
-Richard Bonynge, AO, CBE
I made my operatic debut in Faust at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in 1963 with John Alexander, Doris Yarick, Richard Cross and Victor Braun. Thereafter I spent many of my happiest evenings performing in your lovely city.
Many operas we did for the first time in Canada: Semiramide, La Buona Figliuola, Rodelinda, Le Roi de Lahore as well as performances of Mignon, Ballo in Maschera, La Fille du Régiment and Queen of Spades.
So many wonderful singers joined me: Louis Quillico, Huguette Tourangeau, Jan Rubes, James Morris, Regina Resnik, Spiro Malas, Samuel Ramey, Ermanno Mauro and countless others who gave great pleasure to the Vancouver public.
The time I spent in Vancouver I count as a most important and enjoyable part of my life and I am more than happy to be back again in my former haunts.
-Richard Bonynge, AO, CBE
Marilyn Horne's Golden Memory
How could I ever forget the Norma performances in Vancouver? They were the first that Joan and I sang. I think those performances were probably pretty good. The audience response was tremendous, and will forever be in my fondest memories.
I wish all who will be involved with the new Norma production my warmest good wishes.
-Marilyn Horne
I wish all who will be involved with the new Norma production my warmest good wishes.
-Marilyn Horne
A Golden Memory from Irving Guttman, CM, OBC
Dear Friends,
The opera world has changed a lot since I arrived here in 1960 and began my work with this now-illustrious company.
Technology has given new impact to productions, and the business of producing and selling opera is infinitely more complex and challenging.
The essence of the art form remains unchanged, though: a live orchestra in the pit, drama (or comedy) unfolding on stage, and the glorious sound of the human voice expressing humankind’s most important stories, emotions and ideas.
Thankfully, people such as you, who continue to support Vancouver Opera, help make it all happen. You are giving the community something very valuable and you should all be proud of yourselves.
-Irving Guttman, CM, OBC
The opera world has changed a lot since I arrived here in 1960 and began my work with this now-illustrious company.
Technology has given new impact to productions, and the business of producing and selling opera is infinitely more complex and challenging.
The essence of the art form remains unchanged, though: a live orchestra in the pit, drama (or comedy) unfolding on stage, and the glorious sound of the human voice expressing humankind’s most important stories, emotions and ideas.
Thankfully, people such as you, who continue to support Vancouver Opera, help make it all happen. You are giving the community something very valuable and you should all be proud of yourselves.
-Irving Guttman, CM, OBC
A Golden Memory from Judith Forst, OC, OBC
When I am working out of town, I feel that I am away from home in two senses: I am away from my house in Port Moody and away from my “home” opera company.
My career started at “VOA” and continues today, as I explore a new role, Irene in Lillian Alling, for the world premiere a year from now. I am very grateful for the opportunities I have been given and for the many lasting friendships and professional partnerships that have helped me grow as an artist.
-Judith Forst, OC, OBC
My career started at “VOA” and continues today, as I explore a new role, Irene in Lillian Alling, for the world premiere a year from now. I am very grateful for the opportunities I have been given and for the many lasting friendships and professional partnerships that have helped me grow as an artist.
-Judith Forst, OC, OBC
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