Conductor Jonathan Brandani was appointed Calgary Opera’s Artistic Director in September 2021. Recent engagements include opera productions and concert appearances at Gothenburg Opera (Sweden), Meininger Hofkapelle (Germany), the Bregenzer Festspiele (Austria), the Danish Royal Opera House Copenhagen, Teatro Comunale di Bologna (Italy), Théatre Royal de Wallonie-Liège (Belgium), Teatro Lirico di Cagliari (Italy), The Atlanta Opera and Opera Theatre of St. Louis. From 2014-2019 he was Associate Conductor of Minnesota Opera (USA), and from 2017-2020 he was Principal Guest Conductor of Daegu Opera House (South Korea). Upcoming engagements include a double-bill of Bluebeard’s Castle and Gianni Schicchi for Calgary Opera, as well as concert appearances at the Rossini Opera Festival and the Orchestra Filarmonica Toscanini.

Brenna Corner is an international opera and theatre stage director working across the United States, Canada and Europe. She is also the Artistic Director of Pacific Opera Victoria, in British Columbia Canada.

Select directing projects include: Macbetto & Il Trovatore (Washington National Opera); Pagliacci (Glimmerglass Festival); The Little Prince (Pacific Opera Victoria); H.M.S Pinafore & L’Elisir D’Amore (Vancouver Opera); Carmen (Des Moines Metro Opera); Don Giovanni (Seattle Opera); Hansel and Gretel (San Diego Opera & Vancouver Opera); La Bohème (Calgary Opera); Dead Man Walking (The Israeli Opera); La Bohème (The Dallas Opera); Noye’s Fludd & Scalia/Ginsburg (Glimmerglass Opera); Sweeney Todd (New Orleans Opera); Der fliegende Holländer (Cincinnati Opera & Houston Grand Opera); and Carmen (The Atlanta Opera).

Brenna made her directorial main stage debut in 2016 with a new production of Hansel and Gretel designed by the Old Trout Puppet Workshop for Vancouver Opera. This production has since toured North America, and was mostly recently produced for San Diego Opera as part of their 2019-20 season. She made her American directorial debut in February of 2017 with New Orleans Opera, creating a new production of Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Peter Balkwill is a founding, co-Artistic Director at the Old Trout Puppet Workshop in Calgary, Alberta. He holds an MFA in Acting from the University of Washington in Seattle, and a BFA in Theatre from University of Victoria. He also serves as the Co-Artistic Curator for the International Festival of Animated Objects, held every two years in Calgary, Alberta.

While studying Peter focused almost exclusively on the physical application of theatre both in creation as well as acting and directing. He has taught as head of movement at the University of Victoria and facilitated workshops with companies across Canada, U.S. Denmark and France – including as Director of the Banff Puppet Intensive at the Banff Center for Arts & Creativity,  and Co-Director of the New England Puppet Intensive. He has also led extended workshops at Hollyhock, NTS, Toronto School Of Puppetry, Brown University, Rhode Island, University of Washington, and the RCA in St John’s Newfoundland.

Peter has served as Artist in Residence at the University of Lethbridge and the University of Calgary. Other teaching modalities include ten years as an outdoor, experiential educator in outdoor leadership, building group strength through initiative challenges at the Rocky Mountain YMCA Outdoor Center, situated in the Canadian Rockies.

​Ali DeRegt is a multi-disciplinary theatre artist based in Calgary, Alberta focused on devising, puppetry, and clown. She has recently completed an MFA from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London, where she co-founded HOT TRASH! Theatre, a devised theatre company that focuses on DIY aesthetics, physical storytelling, and general nonsense. Recent collaborations in Calgary include Verb Theatre, Lunchbox Theatre, Mudfoot Theatre, and The Green Fools. You can see her puppetry work on Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, which is streaming now on Apple TV Plus. And be sure to look out for her current collaboration with Boathaus Studios and Camille Pavlenko to create a binaural, sci-fi, audio play, USS ARTEMIS, which is available now on Apple Podcasts.

Catherine Glaser-Climie, Founder / Artistic Director of the Cantaré Children's Choir Program, is no stranger to the choral community. For more than thirty years she has nurtured singers through her acclaimed work with choirs. Choirs under her direction have won awards at the local, provincial and national level and regularly perform with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and Calgary Opera, and are frequently heard on radio and television. In addition, her choirs have been invited to perform at many prestigious events: ACCC Podium; Organization of American Kodály Educators; Choral Music Experience International Symposium; Alberta Music Conference; Alberta Choral Federation; Kodály Society of Canada National Conference; and the Alberta Kodály Association Conference. Ms Glaser-Climie's choirs have received invitations to prestigious events in Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia.

The Calgary Philharmonic celebrated 65 years as a pillar of Calgary’s vibrant arts community in 2020 and has grown to be one of Canada’s most celebrated live music ensembles. Led by Music Director Rune Bergmann, the Orchestra presents classical standards, pop favourites, bold collaborations, and cutting-edge new works, and attracts world-renowned guest artists and dynamic conductors each season. The Orchestra is proud to perform live symphonic music for Alberta Ballet, Calgary Opera, and the Honens International Piano Competition.

HANSEL

Acclaimed for her “irresistible charisma and dark luscious sound…whose star is deservedly on the rise” (Opera News), Canadian mezzo-soprano Carolyn Sproule has received international acclaim for her performances around the world. Sproule has been seen on stages throughout the United States and Europe including at The Metropolitan Opera, Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, Canadian Opera Company, and with Houston Grand Opera, where she is an alum of the renowned Houston Grand Opera Studio. Synonymous with the title role in Bizet’s Carmen, Ms. Sproule has been heard as the vivacious gypsy with Pacific Opera Victoria, Opera Hong Kong, Savonlinna Opera Festival, and for Houston Grand Opera where she was praised as “…astonishing…She commands the stage and you can’t take your eyes off her – or your ears.” (Houston Press)

Sproule debuted at The Metropolitan Opera in 2015 as the Sandman in the acclaimed Richard Jones production of Hansel and Gretel and has since returned to The Met singing Dorabella in Phelim McDermott’s Coney Island production of Così fan Tutte conducted by Harry Bicket, as well as Ines (Il Trovatore), Page (Salome), and Third Lady (The Magic Flute). In addition, Ms. Sproule has been on the Met roster for their productions of Falstaff, Otello, Thais, Eugene Onegin, Le Nozze di Figaro, The Death of Klinghoffer, Manon, Cavalleria Rusticana, Pique Dame, and Madama Butterfly.

GRETEL

Canadian soprano Simone Osborne has been hailed as “a joy to hear” (Los Angeles Times) with “a sweet and clear sound, sensitive phrasing and gleaming sustained high notes” (New York Times). Ms. Osborne was one of the youngest winners of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.

In the 23/24 season, Simone debuted with Calgary Opera in L’elisir d’amore (Adina) and returned to the Canadian Opera Company for Don Pasquale (Norina). Recent performances include a debut with the Victoria Symphony for a New Year’s Day Celebration concert, a return to Oper Frankfurt for La serva padrona (Serpina), a return to the Canadian Opera Company for Hänsel und Gretel (Gretel) conducted by Johannes Debus followed by her role/house/country debut at Oper Frankfurt in the Delius A Village Romeo and Juliet (Juliet) conducted by Elias Grandy. Additional recent engagements include debuts with Festival d’opéra de Québec and Pacific Opera Victoria in the new Lepage production of Die Zauberflöte (Pamina) conducted by Thomas Rösner and a new production of Somers’ Louis Riel (Marguerite Riel) at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa and Opéra de Québec.

GINGERBREAD WITCH / GERTRUDE

Claire Barnett-Jones is fast becoming one of the most sought-after voices on the operatic stage and the concert platform, since being named one of Operawire’s Top 10 Rising Stars and being a Finalist and Winner of the Dame Joan Sutherland Audience Prize at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2021. In recent years, highlights have included performances at the Bayreuther Festspiele as 2nd Norn in Götterdämmerung and Waltraute in Die Walküre, her French operatic debut as Jezibaba in a new Stefano Poda production of Rusalka at the Théâtre du Capitole, role and company debuts as Fricka in Die Walküre at the Tiroler Festspiele Erl in Austria and as Madame Flora in The Medium for Oper Frankfurt

In the 2024-25 season, Barnett-Jones returns to Dutch National Opera as Mrs Sedley in Barbora Horáková Joly’s new production of Peter Grimesconducted by Lorenzo Viotti. She also makes her house debut at the Bayerische Staatsoper as Forester’s Wife/Owl in Barrie Kosky’s The Cunning Little Vixen, and her house debut at the Royal Ballet and Opera, Covent Garden, as Waltraute in Barrie Kosky’s new production of Die Walküre conducted by Antonio Pappano. On the recital platform she performs Mahler Songs of a Wayfarer at Wigmore Hall and recitals across the UK and Ireland. Further ahead, Barnett-Jones will return to the Bayreuther Festspiele and will make her company debut in a new Lake Stage production at the Bregenz Festival.

PETER

Baritone Peter Barrett has been celebrated for his “commanding” performances with “stage presence to burn” (Opera Canada). Recent engagements have included role debuts as Alfio (Cavalleria Rusticana) with Opera West, Scarpia (Tosca) with Edmonton Opera, and Ratefreund in Pacific Opera Victoria’s production of Braunfels’ Die Vögel (Canadian premiere). He also returned to the Canadian Opera Company for the world premiere of Marshall’s Pomegranate and Vancouver Opera as Dr. Falke in Strauss’ Die Fledermaus. This upcoming season, he looks forward to returning to Calgary Opera for their production of Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel as the Father.

For several seasons, Barrett was on the roster of the Metropolitan Opera, where he made his debut in the role of Malatesta in Don Pasquale opposite Anna Netrebko, and juggled several cover assignments, including Dr. Falke, Mercutio, and Morales, among others. Barrett’s additional operatic appearances have included Marcello in La bohème for Minnesota Opera, Rodrigo in Don Carlos and Dancaïro in Carmen for the Vancouver Opera, Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia for Opera Lyra Ottawa, the King in Conrad Susa’s Transformations for the Wexford Festival, and The Nightingale and Other Short Fables at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

SANDMAN / SLEEP FAIRY

Serbian-Croatian-Canadian mezzo-soprano, Maria Milenic, is delighted to be entering her first year of the McPhee Artist Development Program with Calgary Opera. A University of Toronto alum, Maria also completed an Advanced Artist Diploma at the Glenn Gould School, and has studied with faculty from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory.  Her voice thrives in contemporary opera, and one of her favourite roles to date is Minskwoman in Dove’s Flight, which she performed on the Koerner Hall stage. She has taken part in the 21C Festival, where she premiered Chaya Czernowin’s piece The Habekhi (The Crying), written for mezzo-soprano, ensemble, and electronics. In 2024, she was the first-place prize winner in the OMFA provincials in the open voice category for singers aged under 28 in Ontario. Maria is also part of a voice-guitar duo entitled MileBib, with classical guitarist Christ Habib. She is looking forward to singing the role of Sandman in Hansel and Gretel with Calgary Opera this upcoming season, as well as Cio-Cio San’s Mother in Madama Butterfly, and the roles of Mother and Grandmother in Little Red Riding Hood.

DEWMAN, THE DEW FAIRY

Ms. Bird is a Canadian soprano in her first year of Calgary Opera’s McPhee Artist Development Program and was nominated as a 2025 laureate of the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques of Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20. She also participated in the North American premiere of Quid sit Musicus by Philippe Leroux and was a 2025 Laffont Competition Encouragement Award winner. In 2024, she made her professional debut as Barbarina in Le nozze di Figaro with Pacific Opera Victoria. A graduate of the Glenn Gould School, she holds both a Bachelor of Music and an Artist Diploma, and is Artistic Director of Crashcat Studios, a company dedicated to mentoring young artists. Other roles include Madame Herz in Der Schauspieldirektor, Giannetta in L’elisir d’amore, Adele in Die Fledermaus, and Milica in Svadba by Ana Sokolović.

STAGE MANAGER

For Calgary Opera: Das Rheingold, The Elixir of Love, Le nozze di Figaro, Macbeth, The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, Carmen, La traviata, The Merry Widow, Opera Labs, Norma, La bohème. Favourite credits include: As You Like It, (Theatre Calgary), Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Nutcracker, Cinderella, La Fille mal gardée, The Sleeping Beauty, The Seagull (National Ballet of Canada); The Two Gentlemen of Verona, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Julius Caesar, The Importance of Being Earnest, West Side Story (Stratford Festival); Mimi, Courageous, If We Were Birds (Tarragon Theatre). Other: The Tokyo 2020 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Film work includes Prey (Disney), Heartland (CBC), My Life With The Walter Boys, and the upcoming series The Abandons (Netflix).

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

Jennifer is thrilled to return to Calgary Opera for Madama Butterfly. 

For Calgary Opera: Don Pasquale, Marriage of Figaro, Norma.

Elsewhere: Blithe Spirit, Selma Burke, Jimmy Buffet’s Escape to Margaritaville, Steel Magnolias (Theatre Calgary), Murder on the Links, Sherlock Holmes and the Raven's Curse (Vertigo Theatre), Static (Chromatic Theatre Co.Pro Inside Out Theatre), Naughty But Nice 8 & 9 (Forte), Hookman (SCPA & Chromatic Theatre), Undressed (ATP), 我的名是张欣恩(Chromatic Theatre). In her free time, you will see her spending time at local events, exploring new restaurants, or playing video games. She is grateful for her parents, her fur baby, Max, and her partner, Lowell, for their immense love and continued support.

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

Kate is thrilled to be joining Calgary Opera for all productions in their 2024/2025 season. Since graduating from the University of Lethbridge with a BFA in 2017, she has stage managed for operas, plays, and live events throughout Alberta, as well as toured across Canada as the Stage Manager for bliss: the birthday party play (Verb Theatre) to Victoria’s Uno Fest and to Ottawa’s National Arts Centre. Select credits include: Das Rheingold, L’elisir d’amore, Béatrice et Bénédict, Macbeth, La traviata, La bohème, Amahl and the Night Visitors (Calgary Opera), Ghost Opera (Old Trout Puppet Workshop/Calgary Opera), The Black Bonspiel of Wullie MacCrimmon, The Jungle Book (Alberta Theatre Projects), STRUCK (Ghost River Theatre), The Thin Man, The Drowning Girls (Vertigo Theatre).