Vancouver Opera in Front

Photograph lifted from one of Miss Chan’s many sites……… (thanks Ling)

Theatres from the very top tier to the more provincial houses simply refuse to understand the power of the new media and therefore would not begin to know how to harness it properly. In some cases, the refusal to merely acknowledge its very existence has become so ludicrously ingrained, it can only be adequately compared to an ostrich with its head in the sand. COMMANDOpera who has direct contact with many opera houses globally, certainly can attest to the legitimacy of this. Not the case with the way edgy Vancouver Opera. Do you ever wonder why ALL top tier artists make a point of appearing with this company at some point in their career? COMMANDOpera would suggest it is the easygoing laid back atmosphere within the inner org., and the fact it remains eternally young in spirit of devotion to doing the art form justice. This level of ultra cool velvet glove thinking, is pervasive in every aspect of the company.      

When COMMANDOpera was invited (with a certain amount of arm twisting) to attend the season opening prima of Norma, even I was taken aback by how well thought out, and forward thrusted the marketing was. Heading this entire movement at the time was the executive assistant to the Director General, Miss Ling Chan. I was so impressed with my initial understandings of how deep the company was utilising bloggers, COMMANDOpera devoted a post to it found here. The Vancouver Opera, thanks to Miss Chan has its own blog which details events on just about everything found here. Ahhh, but did you think this was the end of it? Indeed not. They have a devoted blog for the upcoming Nixon in China found here , a Facebook page found here, a location on Flicker where they post all kinds of photographs found here, a Twitter account to tweet all things Vancouver Opera found here, and a YouTube page found here (I HIGHLY advise all opera company personnel who are reading this to watch the Norma opening night video to fully grasp how successful this multi faceted effort is reeling in a new audience).  If this were not enough go here, click read and voila! Manga on the operas which are being mounted! I kid you not… indoctrinate the young now. This is a hardcore attack on all centers involved within the realm of the new media, and have not missed. And it is brilliantly magnificent in our eyes. 

Naturally while in Vancouver I had the opportunity to meet the extraordinary Miss Chan. All you will get to see of her is the photograph above. Figure this must be a full time job? The Vancouver Opera has more than a few people on it. Oh and Miss Chan? She now holds the title Social Media Manager. Congratulations Milady! Brava!