On Friday, we sent out a press release announcing that for the first time in almost twenty years all seven operas of our mainstage season will be recorded and broadcast by the CBC. This is a major achievement for our company and will hopefully allow us to reach new audiences throughout the country. It wouldn't have been possible without the commitment of our artists (orchestra, chorus and soloists) and their unions to reach an agreement with us. I am deeply grateful to them.

The response on this new initiative has been overwhelmingly positive and yesterday's press coverage was impressive. Developing the art form of opera, exposing more people to opera and making it accessible to everybody with all possible means should be one of our major goals for the future. This is a modest first step, but I hope many more will follow and soon our operas will be on the radio, on the internet, on television and in movie theatres.

Alas, for all who think this is a new stream of revenue for the COC: I have to disappoint you. It means we have to commit to an additional expense. However, I am convinced it will be money very well spent!

Madama Butterfly will be on CBC Radio 2's Saturday Afternoon at the Opera on 28th November, followed by the Nightingale and Other Short Fables on 5th December. I hope you will welcome the COC into your living rooms, kitchens, cars or wherever else you are.

 

Toronto has a fantastic new concert Hall. At the Grand Opening yesterday evening, Koerner Hall in the Royal Conservatory's new Telus Centre for Performance and Learning surpassed our expectations. It is a warm, welcoming and intimate space with wonderfully clear and vibrant acoustics. Bob Essert, the acoustician who also was in charge of our Four Seasons Centre has worked another miracle. We can be proud that next to a world-class opera house we now have another world-class venue for concerts. The opening concert yesterday with a program ranging from symphonic (a new piece by Canada's most distinguished composer R. Murray Schafer, commissioned for the occasion) to chamber music, solo piano and Beethoven's Choral Fantasy gave us an idea of what the range of what the possibilities of this great new hall will be. I can't wait to hear chamber music or vocal recitals there.

I am proud to announce the appointment of Johannes Debus as the COC’s new Music Director. Johannes made a remarkable debut with the COC last fall conducting War and Peace and we are extremely pleased that he has agreed to be the musical leader of the company for the next four years.

Finding a music director has been my priority from the moment I was appointed General Director as the company with its orchestra and chorus of such a high calibre had been without a musical leader for over a year. Originally, I had anticipated that our search would at least take two or three years, but as I watched Johannes throughout the rehearsals and performances of War and Peace I realized that we not only had a very gifted conductor here, but one who had truly exceptional chemistry with the performers and our production staff. His experience and talent matched my imaginary “perfect” candidate and his connection to the company was so strong that I decided not to wait.

Johannes starts as the COC’s Music Director next season by conducting a 60th anniversary concert with Ben Heppner and our production of The Flying Dutchman, and his commitment increases in following seasons. Johannes’ talent is prodigious and his enthusiasm for this company is enormous. I know we will make him feel very welcome. I look forward to a wonderful collaboration with him as we work towards the future of the Canadian Opera Company!