OPERA BUDDIES

A young man in a red tshirt and grey sweatshirt laughs as he tries on "witches fingers" - black gloves wiht extended black fingernails. A slightly older woman looks on, laughing and takes a photo with her phone.

Opera Buddies participants get “hands on” with costume elements from 2023’s Macbeth.

WHAT IS OPERA BUDDIES?

Whether you’re 17 or 70, if you’ve ever been curious about opera, but unsure where to start or what to listen for, you’re invited to join Opera Buddies - an intergenerational opera discovery program for youth, adults, and older adults. You’ll connect with other lifelong learners of all ages interested in broadening their musical horizons or deepening their love of opera.

Each Opera Buddies session begins with two classes: an introduction to opera as well as a primer on the opera you’ll be going to see. You’ll learn what to expect at the theatre, as well as insights into what to watch and listen for at the show.

Then, come to the opera and watch the performance with a live orchestra, soloists, and chorus.

To make the most of your experience, the final class is a guided reflection on the opera you just saw as well as suggestions for taking your learning further.

Each class is facilitated by a professional opera teaching artist from Calgary Opera.

Opera Buddies is perfect for friends or families who want to explore the arts together and guaranteed to have you talking around the dinner table. Register for Opera Buddies today!

Opera Buddies participants pose for a photo after seeing 2023’s The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs.

Opera Buddies participants pose for a photo after attending 2023’s The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs.

2023/2024 Opera Buddies Sessions

Locations

Classes take place at:
McDougall United Church
8516 Athabasca St. SE

Performances take place at:
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
1415 14 Ave NE

Opera Buddies registration for Das Rheingold is now full, however spots occasionally open up at the last minute. Please complete a registration form if you would like to be placed on the waitlist.

Session info

  • Thursday, September 28, 2023 — 4:30-5:45 p.m.
    McDougall United Church

    Thursday, October 5, 2023 — 4:30-5:45 p.m.
    McDougall United Church

    Thursday, October 12, 2023 — performance 7:00 p.m.
    Jubilee Auditorium

    Thursday, October 19, 2023 — 4:30-5:45 p.m.
    McDougall United Church

    Set in an aristocratic household on the wedding day of two quick-witted servants, this opera is a whirlwind of witty banter, awkward entrances, and mistaken identities—all set to some of the most genius operatic music ever written. In this opera discovery session, we’ll explore Mozart’s musical language, the intricate twists and turns of The Marriage of Figaro, as well as their broader meanings, and why singers often describe Mozart’s music as so special—yet difficult to sing!

  • Thursday, January 18, 2024 — 4:30-5:45 p.m.
    McDougall United Church

    Thursday, January 25, 2024 — 4:30-5:45 p.m.
    McDougall United Church

    Thursday, February 1, 2024 — performance 7:00 p.m.
    Jubilee Auditorium

    Thursday, February 8, 2024 — 4:30-5:45 p.m.
    McDougall United Church

    All’s well that ends well in this light-hearted and comedic opera, where you’ll laugh along with the hapless Nemorino’s antics as he tries to win over the heart of the beautiful Adina. How is the theatrical story amplified by singing and orchestral music? We’ll discover more about the composers of the Bel Canto era (literally translated as “beautiful singing”) as well as the kind of instruction and preparation—vocal and dramatic—that it takes to portray a convincing character on the operatic stage!

  • Thursday, April 4, 2024 — 4:30-5:45 p.m.
    McDougall United Church

    Thursday, April 11, 2024 — 4:30-5:45 p.m.
    McDougall United Church

    Thursday, April 18, 2024 — performance 7:00 p.m.
    Jubilee Auditorium

    Thursday, April 25, 2024 — 4:30-5:45 p.m.
    McDougall United Church

    In our final Opera Buddies session of the season, you’ll be the first to witness Calgary Opera’s company premiere of the breathtaking opera Das Rheingold! Set in the larger-than-life world of Norse gods, giants, dwarves, and river-nymphs, Das Rheingold shares the beginning of the mythological story that inspired J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. Together we’ll explore the history of this opera epic, the intriguing circumstances of its creator, as well as the deeper themes the opera reveals.

OPERA BUDDIES FAQ:

How many sessions can I sign up for?
You can sign up for as many Opera Buddies sessions as you’d like! Registration is limited to 25 participants.

Do I have to come to all 4 classes?
Because programming is tailored to participants' unique backgrounds and interests, we ask that you commit to attending all three classes and the performance for any Opera Buddies session you register for.

How much does this program cost?
Opera Buddies sessions are completely free for registered participants!

How do I sign up?
Register by clicking the button above, by contacting your Opera Buddies liaison, or by reaching out to Calgary Opera Community Ambassador Stephania Romaniuk at the contact info below.

For more information about the Opera Buddies Program, please contact

Stephania Romaniuk
Community Ambassador
E-Mail