Calgary’s East Village RiverWalk™ Plaza will once again be bursting with music and mirth as Calgary Opera’s Opera in the Village – presented by Imperial returns August 13-22, 2015. The centrepiece to this year’s Opera in the Village is Gilbert & Sullivan’s fun and farcical operetta "The Mikado" which is easily accessible for all audiences. There will also be matinee performances of Calgary Opera’s sold out school production of "The Scorpions’ Sting"; both performed in our 900-seat open-air tent.
Expanded to a 10-day festival in 2014, Opera in the Village was created as an outlet to increase the reach of opera to new audiences. "Opera in the Village is more than just a "show", it’s an experience," stated Calgary Opera General Director & CEO W.R. (Bob) McPhee, C.M. "We hope that all those in attendance leave feeling a little more in love with their city."
Opera in the Village is a reflection of Calgary Opera’s dedication to developing deep relationships with community partners to enhance civic pride. The Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) has been a key stakeholder since the festival’s inception. The East Village location provides a sense of intimacy, heritage and community with a festival atmosphere, including free outdoor activities such as movie nights, food trucks, roving performers and more. This year, the festival grounds are fully licensed so attendees can grab a drink, wander around and enjoy all the entertainment!
"Over the past two years, Opera in the Village has become one of our most anticipated summer events in East Village", says Susan Veres, Vice-President, Marketing & Communications for CMLC. "This summer will be particularly exciting as we welcome the festival back into the community, along with new residents who begin to move into their new homes in August and the historic Simmons Building reopens its doors onto RiverWalk™ offering a delight of culinary experiences."
Live opera is a uniquely thrilling experience. The mixture of dramatic narrative, theatricality, music and the vulnerability of the human voice make for storytelling at its most vivid. Opera in the Village provides a great introduction to the opera experience for everyone.
For information on show times and tickets call 403.262.7286 or visit http://www.calgaryopera.com/festival.
