Opera Hamilton

COMMANDOpera does not often cover smaller companies, however Opera Hamilton will be an exception. Although just across the river from Detroit, and virtually next door to the Canadian Opera Company, Opera Hamilton is a smart and steady company which offers the locals interesting repertoire. While the Detroit theatre is all but shuttering operations due to the current economy, last season Opera Hamilton determined to remove from its financially draining, if delightfully huge theatre to the more jewel box Aquarius Theatre located within the Dofasco Centre for the Performing Arts pictured above and below. COMMANDOpera has now officially listed Opera Hamilton in the link section alongside the other excellent global venues.

On Friday, COMMANDOpera spoke with Executive Director Stephen Bye about the move and the company in general, and came away most impressed. Opera Hamilton has maneuvered deftly over the past several years, gaining an excellent reputation for presenting emerging Canadian artists who are the springboard to international rank. COMMANDOpera has been aware of this fact for some time, which made the personal connection to this theatre a necessity for global readers. Mr. Bye is an extraordinarily witty man which rather nicely shields the natural thriftiness required of any Executive Director worth their proverbial salt. COMMANDOpera was most impressed to hear that while the Aquarius is a smaller theatre, it permitted Opera Hamilton to mount four performances of each production as opposed to the traditional three of the larger theatre. Mr. Bye explained this fact alone has opened the company to an entirely new demographic who have begun appearing at performances. 750 seats, with not a single one further the 65 feet from the stage! The Aquarius theatre actually owns a full pit and larger stage than Opera Hamilton’s previous digs, Mr. Bye pleasantly, if articulately informed this venue.

COMMANDOpera has determined a debut with this theatre is required. As it happens Opera Hamilton will offer Il Trovatore in April under the baton of Opera Hamilton General Director David Speers, which will star Mr. Richard Margison as Manrico, Miss Joni Henson as Leonora, Mr. James Westman makes his role debut as Di Luna, and Miss Emilia Boteva as Azucena. COMMANDOpera assuredly would look forward to the unquestionable fireworks from Miss Henson in solo, and the interchanges with the sensational vocal instrument of Mr. Westman. Miss Boteva a Bulgarian Mezzo Soprano has also recently come to the ears of COMMANDOpera, which additionally makes this production one to attend.