Opera Buddies is Back September 28 with “The Marriage of Figaro”

Opera Buddies has a really exciting year planned. If you have ever wondered about about Opera, you should really consider coming out to see what it is all about. Opera Buddies takes place on Thursday afternoons starting at 4:30 pm in the M&M Room and runs until 5:45 pm. Each Opera Buddies session begins with two classes: an introduction to opera as well as a primer on the opera you’ll be going to see. You’ll learn what to expect at the theatre, as well as insights into what to watch and listen for at the show. Then, come to the opera and watch the performance with a live orchestra, soloists, and chorus. To make the most of your experience, the final class is a guided reflection on the opera you just saw as well as suggestions for taking your learning further. Each class is facilitated by a professional opera teaching artist from Calgary Opera.

This year their are 3 operas. You can choose to attend all of them or simply the ones that interest you the most. Here is an overview of the Operas this year.

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO (September 28 - October 19th)

Set in an aristocratic household on the wedding day of two quick-witted servants, this opera is a whirlwind of witty banter, awkward entrances, and mistaken identities—all set to some of the most genius operatic music ever written. In this opera discovery session, we’ll explore Mozart’s musical language, the intricate twists and turns of The Marriage of Figaro, as well as their broader meanings, and why singers often describe Mozart’s music as so special—yet difficult to sing!

THE ELIXIR OF LOVE (January 18–February 8, 2024)

All’s well that ends well in this light-hearted and comedic opera, where you’ll laugh along with the hapless Nemorino’s antics as he tries to win over the heart of the beautiful Adina. How is the theatrical story amplified by singing and orchestral music? We’ll discover more about the composers of the Bel Canto era (literally translated as “beautiful singing”) as well as the kind of instruction and preparation—vocal and dramatic—that it takes to portray a convincing character on the operatic stage!

DAS RHEINGOLD (April 4–25, 2024)

In our final Opera Buddies session of the season, you’ll be the first to witness Calgary Opera’s company premiere of the breathtaking opera Das Rheingold! Set in the larger-than-life world of Norse gods, giants, dwarves, and river-nymphs, Das Rheingold shares the beginning of the mythological story that inspired J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. Together we’ll explore the history of this opera epic, the intriguing circumstances of its creator, as well as the deeper themes the opera reveals.

You can learn more and sign up on the Opera Buddies webpage.