Biographies

W.R. (Bob) McPhee, General Director & CEO

Bob McPhee was born and raised in Winnipeg where he received his initial education and music training. He received his Bachelor of Education (Music) and began his career as a performer, choral conductor, and teacher.

Gradually McPhee became more involved in arts administration and focused his studies at Grant MacEwan College and The Banff Centre. His first administrative position was with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet as Development Officer and then Director of Development.  He joined the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra as Director of Development and was later appointed Assistant General Manager.
                                     
McPhee was General Manager of Orchestra London prior to joining the Edmonton Symphony as General Manager.  In 1992, he was appointed Managing Director of the Edmonton Symphony Society and Edmonton Concert Hall Foundation. In 1996 upon completion of the $45 million project, McPhee became President and CEO for Symphony and the new Winspear Centre for Music.

He joined Calgary Opera as General Director and CEO in 1998. During his tenure Calgary Opera has moved from a $2m to $5m annual budget. Calgary Opera has become a leader in the country for the development and presentation of new works.  They have presented four World premieres and two Canadian premieres with two more commissioned for 2011 and 2012 and another Canadian premiere for 2010.  Calgary Opera has developed a significant Education and Outreach curriculum including the Emerging Artist Development Program, a 24 week training residency for 8 singers, the only program of its size and scope in Western Canada.

Throughout his career McPhee has been active in many community associations and is in demand as a clinician and lecturer on fundraising, marketing, and arts management. McPhee has been an adjudicator, assessor, and jury member for numerous organizations. He is a founding board member of the Calgary Arts Development Authority, Past Chair of Opera.ca, and sits on the University of Calgary Fine Arts Faculty Advisory Committee.

Bramwell Tovey , Composer (The Inventor)

Bramwell Tovey has been Music Director of the Vancouver Symphony since 2000, and works internationally with a prestigious list of orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Toronto Symphony, Montreal Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. In addition to conducting, Bramwell Tovey is also an accomplished composer. His work, Requiem for a Charred Skull, won the Juno Award for “Best Canadian Classical Composition of 2003” and was performed and recorded by the Hannaford Street Silver Band in Toronto. Maestro Tovey has been commissioned to write his first opera, with John Murrell as librettist. Their new opera, The Inventor, which will receive its world premiere in Calgary in January 2011.

John Murrell, Librettist (Filumena, Frobisher, The Inventor)

John Murrell is one of the most frequently produced of all Canadian playwrights, as well as a highly respected arts advocate, mentor, and consultant. His plays have been translated into 15 languages and performed in more than 30 countries. In February of 2003, Murrell’s first collaboration with composer John Estacio, the original opera Filumena was co-produced by The Banff Centre and Calgary Opera and had its world premiere in Calgary to sold-out houses.

Allan Gilliland , Composer (Hannaraptor)

Composer Allan Gilliland has written music for solo instruments, orchestra, choir, brass quintet, wind ensemble, big band, film, television and theatre. His music has been performed by such ensembles as the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, ProCoro Canada, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the New York Pops, the International Symphony Orchestra, the Brian Webb Dance Company, the Tommy Banks Big Band, the Boston Pops, and the brass section of the New York Philharmonic.  For five years (1999-2004) he was Composer-in-Residence with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, writing 11 works for the ESO during that time. Gilliland took first prize at the prestigious Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s Centara New Music Festival Composers Competition, and has also won composition contests sponsored by ProCoro Canada and the Alberta Band Association as well as first place in the Jean Coulthard Competition for Composers and the Lydia Pals Composers Competition.

Val Brandt , Librettist (Hannaraptor)

Val Brandt was a freelance writer and broadcaster for many years before writing her first play in 1989.  Since that time she has been privileged to have had a number of her plays performed in theatres and festivals across Canada.  Ms. Brandt's musical collaborations include Eulogies with John Estacio as well as art and jazz songs with various composers. She is currently working on the libretto for a two-act chamber opera to be composed by Allan Gilliland.

John Estacio, Composer (Filumena, Frobisher)

John Estacio has served as Composer in Residence for the Calgary Philharmonic, Calgary Opera, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, and Pro Coro. He has created music for several ensembles and his compositions have been frequently performed and broadcast on radio and television nationally and internationally. In February of 2003, Estacio’s first collaboration with librettist John Murrell, the original opera Filumena was co-produced by The Banff Centre and Calgary Opera and had its world premiere in Calgary to sold-out houses.

Kelly Robinson, Director (Filumena, Frobisher)

Kelly Robinson, Director of Creative Development for Toronto’s Mirvish Productions, is a director and choreographer whose career spans opera, theatre, film, and television. For Calgary Opera Mr. Robinson directed the world premiere of Filumena (2003), the Canadian premiere of Dead Man Walking (2006), and most recently The Magic Flute (2006).

Sue LePage, Set & Costume Designer (Filumena, Frobisher)

Winner of two Dora Mavor Moore Awards, Toronto-based designer Sue LePage has worked on more than 100 productions in theatre and opera. Recent credits include Arms and the Man, Candida, The Magic Fire, Bus Stop, and Pygmalion for the Shaw Festival, and Filumena for Calgary Opera, The Banff Centre, and the National Arts Centre.