SAVE THE DATE FOR OPERANATION 10 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013!
See photos from the event
The Canadian Opera Company’s ninth annual must-attend party and fundraiser, Operanation, delighted more than 1,000 philanthropists, art aficionados and party-goers in attendance on October 18, 2012. Operanation 9: Sweet Revenge is being saluted as an unparalleled party experience, with original renditions of music, fashion, visual arts, food and beverage that spanned three floors of the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.
“Operanation has grown astronomically over the last nine years into a tremendous event that allows us to introduce the Canadian Opera Company to people who may not attend the opera,” says Alexander Neef, General Director of the COC. “Operanation breaks opera out of that classical opera-nerd silo, making it part of a larger cultural landscape that we interact with in all its forms. It's this kind of cross-cultural collaboration that gives Operanation its unique identity that distinguishes it from other events, as well as helps us be a part of shaping the city of Toronto as an artistic community."
Award-winning Canadian pop star Nelly Furtado opened the stage with a dazzling performance of her latest single, “Bucket List,” and later the acoustic track “Be OK,” accompanied by Toronto-based singer Dylan Murray, from her recent album Spirit Indestructible. Furtado was then joined by Ensemble Studio baritone Cameron McPhail for an awe-inspiring and captivating operatic collaboration of “Spanish Silenzio.” In a final tribute to her fans in the audience, Furtado closed with crowd- favourite, “Maneater.”
Shortly after midnight, Juno 2012 Group of the Year, the Arkells turned the evening’s festivities up a notch with a fusion of rock and operatic influences starting with the aria “No, no, I’ll take no less” from the Handel opera, Semele, featuring COC Ensemble Studio soprano Ambur Braid, and a remix of their single “Kiss Cam” with Braid and fellow Ensemble Studio mezzo-soprano, Rihab Chaieb. Then, in a surprise performance, Jian Ghomeshi, host of CBC’s Q, joined the group on stage for a rock-opera version of the classic track, “Psycho Killer.”
Artistic installations accented the celebrations going on throughout the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Upon entering the venue, guests were greeted by an immense interactive sculpture and voice amplifier by artist Dean Baldwin. Also, at the base of the Grand Staircase, a fashion display unveiled the original, contemporary designs by recent graduates and students of the Ryerson School of Fashion: David Chou, Jill Dickieson and Sarah Elizabeth Graham, inspired by the costumes of the COC’s fall production of Die Fledermaus from which Operanation 9: Sweet Revenge derived its theme.
Food and drinks were served and poured in abundance throughout the opera house. Operanation 9: Sweet Revenge’s official caterer, Rose Reisman, had mouths watering and stomachs growling with a mini-grilled cheese station on the first floor and a mini-apple bar on the second floor. Guests were greeted on the third floor by a towering Sweet Revenge macaron display by acclaimed pastry chef Nadège Nourian of Nadège Patisserie, who translated the event’s theme into a bite-sized confectionery.
The third floor of the Four Seasons Centre also featured a satellite bar by Société Perrier where Operanation’s signature drink “Perrier Champria,” an intoxicating blend of Perrier-Jouët Absolut Elyx and Perrier, was heartily consumed. Partnered with Société Perrier was world-renowned molecular mixologist phenom and owner of Barchef, Frankie Solarik, who demonstrated his unique libationist talents to swarms of crowds. Calvin Klein models, dressed down to their boxer best, gave samples of the latest scent, Encounter, while guests struck a pose in the Toronto Life Photostar picture booth. As the party continued on to the late hours of the night, Torrié served premium espresso to guests.
Presenting Sponsor: TD Bank Group VIP Dinner Sponsor: Jackman Family Official Fragrance: Calvin Klein ENCOUNTER Event Sponsors: Absolut Elyx, Chair-man Mills, CTV, ICON Model Management Inc., Knot PR, Mill St., Nadège Patisserie, Perrier-Jouët, Rose Reisman Catering, Société Perrier, Storys, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Life, Torrié, Trius, Quince Flowers Special thanks to Sennheiser Canada
For more information about the event and how to donate, please contact Tracy Briggs, Special Events Manager.
Presenting Sponsor