(From the House of the Dead by Leos Janáček – The COC’s production was presented in 2008. There were 63 supernumeraries in this production, of which 56 were men. The male supers had to be bald or willing to shave their heads.)
Have you ever wanted to be a part of the Canadian Opera Company and have the chance to hear a powerful singer from only a few feet away? You just might get that chance! On Saturday, February 16, the COC is looking for over 100 people to join us as supernumeraries in the spring for Lucia di Lammermoor, Salome and Dialogues des Carmélites.
What's a supernumerary?
Supernumeraries, a.k.a. supers, are the extras of the opera world and play a variety of non-singing roles. They are vital to enhancing the operatic experience presented on stage. Members of Canadian Actor’s Equity, ACTRA or any other professional performing arts union are not eligible to be supers.
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Posted by Danielle D'Ornellas / in Behind the Scenes / comments (21) / permalink
Montreal soprano, Sasha Djihanian, is one of the current members of the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio. At the inaugural Ensemble Studio competition in 2011, Sasha won a spot in the program and left with the top prize of the evening. Since starting in September, she has performed in concerts for the Free Concert Series and travelled with fellow Ensemble Studio members for the Xstrata Ensemble Studio School Tour of Hansel and Gretel.
In the special Ensemble Studio performance of La clemenza di Tito on February 6, Sasha performs the role of Annio, the young man in love with Servilia, Emperor Tito's prospective bride! We caught up with Sasha to ask her about the rehearsal process and her work with director Christopher Alden.
What is it like to rehearse alongside the mainstage cast?
It has been a really exciting and inspiring process to be observing and working alongside incredibly accomplished artists such as Isabel Leonard and Michael Schade. It is absolutely incredible how much one can learn and be inspired just by watching them.
Posted by Danielle D'Ornellas / in La clemenza di Tito / comments (0) / permalink
CELEBRATING MICHAEL COOPER’S 30 YEARS AS COC PRODUCTION PHOTOGRAPHER
It’s hard to imagine that photographer Michael Cooper has been capturing COC productions on his camera for the past 30 years. Maybe it’s all the running around from one side of the auditorium to the other, and climbing over seats that keeps him so youthful and fit. Either that, or he started working with us when he was in elementary school. In any case, this bodes well for another 30 years! You can read more of Michael’s history with the COC in our magazine Prelude, or by listening to an interview of Michael in conversation listening to an interview of Michael in conversation in the video below. You can also visit his website here: http://www.coopershoots.com
Posted by Gianna Wichelow / in Opera Appreciation / comments (1) / permalink
Sara Fulgoni in the COC production of Bluebeard's Castle. Photo: Michael Cooper © 2001