Hello!
A new season is launched. Much time and thought and energy poured into the choices and realities of where we stand.
Since I’ve arrived, I feel like we’ve been through a lot! Emerging from the pandemic with the first show took strength. Planning and executing the first full season back with economic unknowns were challenging, but our team weathered the storm.
We experienced what many companies in North America were experiencing with lower attendance and declining support both individually and from corporations. Finding skilled labourers in a decimated work force took patience and training.
The realities are that before the pandemic, subscriptions and ticket revenue was in decline. During and then post-pandemic, the answer was thought to be, “Program Carmen and all the people and money will flood back”.
We did. The reality is that it hasn’t happened as quickly as we or anyone thought or desired. The process of choosing repertoire and balancing the budget is one of the most challenging parts of this job.
Growing up, my parents instilled a simple message when it came to spending. Don’t spend what you don’t have. If I made $10 for my weekly allowance, then I had $10 to spend. It wouldn’t be possible to buy the $25 toy because I didn’t have that money.
The same is true in opera. Don’t spend what you don’t have. When it comes to the role Edmonton Opera plays in the city of Edmonton, well, my desire is for Edmonton Opera to be part of the community. To have many opportunities throughout the year and say opera can be so many things to so many people. Unfortunately we can’t be all to everyone.
To have a full orchestra, with full chorus and full costumes and full set, well…you need a lot of money these days to make that happen. Part of that money comes from ticket revenue. Without it, you can’t spend what you don’t have.
As we shaped our 2025/2026 season, we wanted to be realistic and also celebrate what we COULD do (which is still pretty awesome)!
Our season opens with a partnership with our symphony to bring about the best music from many of the operas that we know and love (yup, maybe some Carmen). To see and hear this, I am excited. We honour the tradition of what opera is.
We have an evening where we celebrate the voice thru the Rumbold Vocal Prize. What makes opera unique is the voice overtop of music. An evening celebrating Canadian singers is something that excites me! We explore the boundaries of what opera is.
We are celebrating a BRAND NEW opera! Instead of an opera like Carmen, we’re presenting Indians on Vacation. This is a remarkable testament to the board of directors and our team at Edmonton Opera. To launch a new opera when the North American economic realities are so fragile is bold. I am proud of our company to pour time and resources into that. To have an idea, see it become an opera and then to have it come to life is a great privilege (and takes partners). Will it become a Carmen, or a Traviata or a Filumena? That is up to our community to decide (we think it’ll do pretty well). I am super proud to support living Canadian composers and librettists. A world premiere…right here in Edmonton, why not? We embrace the evolution of opera.
Finally, we end our season with Siegfried…Music that has not been heard in this city, or west of Toronto, ever. How exciting to see it come to life here in Edmonton in a way that yes, is not how Wagner intended, but is something unto itself. It is the story, the music, the characters all brought to life right before our eyes. That is the wonderful magic of opera. If we could afford to do Siegfried as Wagner wrote it, would we? I would love to, but that would likely require most of the budget we have for our 2025/26 season (and likely me street performing for any extra $). Again, to have more engagement within the community is important.
Our 2025/26 is an important one. Is it what it could have been? Likely not. Is it daring, bold, community driven and unique? 100%! Different venues, new opera, Wagner...come along for the ride.
If you know me (or if you don’t yet) I am always available and willing to meet and chat. I love coffee. My mission is to support the next generation of Canadian opera singers. My mission is to squeeze as much out of every dollar that we have to give you as much opera as we can to our community. We can’t do this without you. Join us!
Joel Ivany
