Dr. Lesley Charles

Dr. Lesley Charles, MBChB is a Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Alberta and the Care of the Elderly Program Director

She received her MBChB from the University of Edinburgh in the UK in 1998, and in 2004 obtained a Diploma in the Care of the Elderly from the University of Alberta and later a Certificate of Added Competency from the CFPC.

Dr. Charles has published extensively on decision-making capacity, COE program/competency and training and caregivers.

Daisy Evans

Daisy Evans is the stage director and a co-creator of this production of Bluebeard’s Castle.

She works in opera, film and theatre as a director and writer and was nominated for a South Bank Award, won the Royal Philharmonic Society Opera Award, the Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Production in Opera and best director for Bluebeard's Castle, which has been performed in London, Toronto, Atlanta, Edinburgh and Beijing.

Stephen Higgins

Stephen Higgins is the Music Arranger and co-creator of Bluebeard's Castle.

He studied at Oxford University, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and the National Opera Studio in London. A conductor, musical director, arranger, and producer, Stephen has worked in major opera houses, theatres, and festivals globally. His conducting credits include the Paris Opera, Gothenburg Opera, and Bergen Opera, as well as ENO, Holland Park, Garsington, and West Green House Opera. Notable world premieres include Balze of Glory for WNO, The Way Back Home at the Young Vic, Dr Dee by Damon Albarn, and The Duchess of Malfi.

Dr. Adrian Wagg

Dr. Adrian Wagg is a specialist in Geriatric and General Medicine with expertise in health services research. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Alberta and Professor of Continence Sciences at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. He is Deputy Head of the Department of Medicine at the University of Alberta. Dr. Wagg has significant front-line experience in healthcare administration and systems development, a strong knowledge of operational issues and an in-depth perspective of healthcare of older Albertans. His research interests involve improving care for people with urinary incontinence, community engagement and the quality of care for older people in nursing homes. He is active in national and international clinical practice guideline development and is the Co-Chair of the International Consultation on Incontinence; prior to this he was General Secretary of the International Continence Society. In his service to the community, Dr. Wagg was until recently President of the Canadian Continence Foundation and participates in numerous other activities promoting health literacy and the healthy ageing of older adults.

Krisztina Szabó

Krisztina Szabó takes on the role of Judith in this production of Bluebeard’s Castle.

A Hungarian-Canadian mezzo-soprano, Krisztina is celebrated for her exceptional musicianship and commanding stage presence. She performs regularly with leading North American companies like the Canadian Opera Company, Vancouver Opera, and Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. Krisztina made her Royal Opera debut in George Benjamin's Lessons in Love and Violence, a recording that earned a Grammy nomination for Best Opera Recording. This season, she performs in Handel’s Messiah, Bluebeard’s Castle, Eugene Onegin, Wozzeck, and more, while also serving as Assistant Professor at UBC.

Russell Braun

Russell Braun is playing the lead role of Bluebeard in this production of Bluebeard’s Castle.

Known for his precise tone and deeply expressive portrayals, baritone Russell Braun is a sought-after artist on the world’s leading opera, concert, and recital stages. His powerful performances as Chou En-lai, Billy Budd, Don Giovanni, and Eugene Onegin have earned widespread acclaim. In the 2024/25 season, Russell will take on the role of Guglielmo in Così fan tutte at Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg and debut as Bluebeard with Edmonton Opera. He will also perform War Requiem with the Dresden Philharmonic and make his conducting debut in Die Walküre with Edmonton Opera.

Dr. Bill Gibson

Dr. Bill Gibson qualified from the University of Sheffield in the UK in 2001, and undertook specialist training in General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics in South Yorkshire, UK. He completed his PhD in Medicine at the University of Alberta in 2019. He is the Site Lead for Geriatric Medicine at the University of Alberta Hospital, and Associate Professor of Geriatrics at the University of Alberta. He provides outpatient clinics at the Kaye Edmonton Clinic, Glenrose Hospital, and St Joseph's Hospital, Vegreville.

Simon Rivard

Simon Rivard is the Music Director of Edmonton Opera and the conductor for Bluebeard’s Castle.

This season, Simon will collaborate with Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Orchestre symphonique de Québec, and Opéra de Montréal on Puccini’s La bohème, among other engagements. At Edmonton Opera, he will also conduct Strauss' Die Fledermaus. Simon’s conducting experience spans prestigious ensembles such as Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Orchestre Métropolitain, and the Göteborgs Symfoniker in Sweden. From 2018 to 2022, he was the Resident Conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, under the mentorship of Gustavo Gimeno and Sir Andrew Davis.

Rachael McAuley

Rachael McAuley is one of our 2024/25 Emerging Artists and is the understudy for the role of Judith in Bluebeard’s Castle.

A mezzo-soprano from Ottawa, Ontario, Rachael’s love for singing began at eight years old, when she would sing around the house, much to the annoyance of her siblings. While her musical tastes have evolved from Disney to opera, she brings the same sense of joy and wonder to her performances today. After taking a brief hiatus from pursuing music professionally, Rachael has found her home in Vancouver, where she has performed with the Vancouver Chamber Choir, Early Music Vancouver, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Karenn Chan

Dr. Karenn Chan is a Care of the Elderly Physician practicing in Edmonton and an Associate Professor with the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Alberta. 

Barbara Drummond

Barbara Drummond is the author of I Finally Have the Smoking Hot Body I Have Always Wanted (Having Been Cremated).

Barb is passionate about a world where inclusive education and access to essential services are available to those with diverse abilities, and where books come with a mint chocolate bar and a great cup of coffee. She’s an author, speaker, award winner, and business leader, running four Tim Hortons with her husband, Gord, while serving on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Tim Hortons Foundation Camps. Barb advocates for humanizing dementia care and plans to write more, earn her master’s degree, and maybe figure out how to take naps.

Sawyer Craig

Sawyer Craig takes the stage in Bluebeard’s Castle as one of Judith’s memories.

A Canadian soprano and accomplished artist, Sawyer is celebrated for her vibrant storytelling and versatility as a singing actor and stage director. With music degrees from the University of British Columbia and the University of Manitoba, plus an Artist Diploma in Stage Direction from McGill University, her notable performances include Songs of a Fairytale Princess and The Triumph of Truth and Time. Upcoming projects feature her as Adina in L'elisir d'amore and directing for Vancouver Opera's Young Artist Program.