Edmonton Opera's 'La Bamba' Playoff Anthem

THE LIST: Shining a light on Edmonton's biggest entertainment highlights on 2024

If you’re under 21 and haven’t yet grabbed a free opera ticket being gifted for the 2023/24 season as Edmonton Opera celebrates its 60th year, there are a few productions left, including Richard Wagner’s Das Rheingold (The Ring). The production shocked the world when first performed in 1869, and despite the parallels of Gods, giants, dwarves and a magic golden ring, J. R. R. Tolkien insists any comparison with his work beyond the ring is mere conjecture. 

Edmonton Opera announces Holly Kroeker as Head of Artistic Operations

After undertaking a multi-stage selection process including candidate evaluation via the Work Personality Index, our search committee is excited to announce Holly Kroeker will be joining Edmonton Opera as Head of Artistic Operations.  

 Raised in Grande Prairie and a proud Albertan, Holly is excited to be returning to her roots to join Edmonton Opera as Head of Artistic Operations.  

 

Holly brings strong experience in arts administration coupled with a deep knowledge of the opera industry.  Most recently, she served for three seasons as the Artistic and Administrative Associate for the Atelier Lyrique at Opera de Montréal where she worked with the emerging professional artists as a member of the leadership team, helping to coordinate, facilitate, and develop one of Canada’s most dynamic young artist training programs.  

 

Holly has an undergraduate degree in Piano Performance (University of Alberta) and a master's degree in collaborative piano (University of Toronto). She is a graduate of the Yulanda M. Faris Program (Vancouver Opera), the Atelier Lyrique (Opera de Montreal) and the Opera in the 21st Century program (Banff Centre) - where she is currently a resident faculty member.  

 

In addition to artistic administration, Holly is an accomplished opera coach and repetiteur. She has worked on the music staffs of several opera companies across Canada including Vancouver Opera, Opera de Montreal, Against the Grain Theatre, Opera Kelowna, and our very own Edmonton Opera! 

 

 We are thrilled to welcome Holly to the team! 

Staged concert opera trims costs and underscores the music, but it's tricky to market

“In opera, staging exists on a spectrum. At one end, there is “grand” opera, that barely mov­able feast, with its complex sets and glamorous costumes. At the other end is “concert” opera, where singers typically dress in for­mal attire and stand in front of an orchestra, distilling the art form to only its musical elements.” - David Patrick Stearns, Opera America

Congratulations to our board member, Francis Price!

Francis Price

We are absolutely thrilled to share the news that our beloved board member, Francis Price, has been honoured with the prestigious National Opera Trustee Recognition Award!

This award, bestowed by the Opera America and Association for Opera in Canada, acknowledges exemplary leadership and service, and we couldn’t be prouder that Francis has been recognized among the visionary leaders of the opera world. This award is a testament not only to Francis’ tireless efforts within our organization, but also to the broader influence and impact of opera nationally.

Francis has been an Edmonton Opera board member for over 20 years, and has made significant contributions to our success, notably leading an annual endowment campaign that raised millions of dollars over the past decade. He supports us as a donor, hosts visiting artists, and provides valuable insight to the Board and management team. Francis has been instrumental in supporting young artists and promoting diverse storytelling through partnerships with other arts organizations such as Fringe Festival and Pop Goes the Opera.

This recognition is truly well deserved! Please join us in congratulating Francis on this extraordinary moment for him and for our entire Edmonton Opera family. Bravo!

Edmonton Opera announces Sue Fitzsimmons as new Executive Director

Sue Fitzsimmons

For immediate release: June 20, 2022

EDMONTON OPERA ANNOUNCES SUE FITZSIMMONS AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Sue Fitzsimmons comes to the Edmonton Opera after serving as a Vice President at both the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and Medicine Hat College. She is a long-time Edmontonian who believes in the power of creativity and the arts to build and sustain community. Sue has a track record with over 15 years of senior leadership experience helping professional, leadership, and executive teams accomplish outcomes critical to their missions. For Edmonton Opera, that mission is to bring the community together through meaningful artistic experiences that celebrate our shared humanity–a mission that resonates deeply with Sue, given the challenges the world is facing.

Sue will work closely with the Opera’s Artistic Director, Joel Ivany, who welcomes her arrival saying: “We are lucky to have Sue join the team at such an important time. We will all benefit from her leadership, generosity and experience. She is going to be a difference maker.”

Sue’s early career began as a music educator. She taught music methods within the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta and University of Winnipeg. She is an experienced choral singer, and plays piano well and guitar “rather poorly.” Sue holds a PhD from the University of Alberta.

In the summer, you’ll find Sue wandering through off-leash parks with her big black dog, paddleboarding on the North Saskatchewan River with her husband and daughter, or exploring Edmonton’s food scene by bicycle. In the winter, you’ll find her playing defense on a women’s ice hockey team, cross-country skiing in the mountains with her family, or making music with friends.

Sue is thrilled to join the team at Edmonton Opera!

– 30 –

Media Availability

Interviews with Edmonton Opera’s Executive Director Sue Fitzsimmons are available. For inquiries or to schedule an interview, please contact Madison Kerr, Director of Marketing & Patron Services at (780) 940-6803 or madison.kerr@edmontonopera.com.