History of Opera

Revised Winter Session Dates for 2012

Due to four COC Operatours intervening during the winter months, please note the following revised dates which will make the courses run with greater continuity. 

We thank you for your patience and understanding. Should you have any questions or require any additional information, please contact Siva Vijenthira at 416-306-2380 or sivav@coc.ca.

George Frideric Handel (1685 – 1759)
The amazing revival of Handel's operas and dramatic oratorios on the stages of opera houses around the world continues as more and more of the composer's 39 opers and several of his dramatic oratorios, which were in fact never intended to be staged, now delight audiences. As background to the COC's Semele in the spring, these works will enrich our knowledge and appreciation of the composer who has been termed "the greatest melodist who ever lived."

  • Feb. 7/8 & 14/15: Giulio Cesare (1724) Glyndebourne Festival d. David McVicar
  • Feb. 21/22 & 28/29: Theodora (1749) Glyndebourne Festival d. Peter Sellars
  • March 6/7 & April 10/11: Tamerlano (1724) Teatro Real, Madrid d. Graham Vick  
  • April 17/18, 24/25: Belshazzar (1744) Festival d'Aix-en-Provence 
  • May 1/2, 8/9: Rodelinda (1725) Royal Danish Opera, Copenhagen 

c. = conductor d. = director

Note: No classes will be held in January and on March 13/14, 20/21, 27/28 and April 3/4. 

These sessions concentrate on a special period in operatic history or on one significant composer. The chosen topic will be examined through watching live performances on DVD, accompanied by informative lectures. This year, we concentrate on one particular geographic area in opera (Russian) and on one composer (Handel).

Lecturer: Dr. David Stanley-Porter
Dates: 10 classes, Tuesday evenings or Wednesday mornings
Time: 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. / 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (UPDATED TIME)
Location: Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre, 227 Front St. E., 2nd Floor Boardroom
Parking: Street parking on Front Street or in the parking lot on Berkeley Street
Cost: All 10 sessions – Adult: $225; Student/Senior: $180
         Individual Classes – Adult: $25, Student/Senior: $20

President’s Council Members and Friends of the COC receive enrolment priority. For information on these annual membership programs please call 416-847-4949.

Classes tend to sell out early and are limited to a maximum of 50 individuals. To guarantee your place, full payment must be received with registration. Exchanges and cancellations must be made a minimum of 24 hours in advance. All dates, times and course content are subject to change without notice.

Winter Session registration for non-members begins on:
Monday, Dec. 5, 2011 at 10 a.m.

Winter Session refund deadline: Friday, Dec. 16, 2011

TO REGISTER:

Please contact COC Ticket Services at 416-363-8231, by e-mail, or print and mail your registration form with payment to:

COC Opera Courses
Canadian Opera Company
227 Front St. E., Toronto, ON M5A 1E8

Under 30?

Purchase tickets for $22 to all of our operas!