Summer Opera Lyric Theatre Announces Their 29th Season Featuring THE MAGIC FLUTE, MADAME BUTTERFLY and More

Celebrating its Twenty-Ninth Year, Summer Opera Lyric Theatre announces a season featuring fully-staged productions of Mozart's THE MAGIC FLUTE, Puccini's MADAME BUTTERFLY and Samuel Barber's great 20th century masterpiece, VANESSA. Since 1986, Founder and General Director Guillermo Silva Marin has led aspiring young artists through an intensive 8 week course of study concentrating on character development in opera through text and music. These weeks culminate in a series of performances showcasing the young artists at the Robert Gill Theatre, University of Toronto. A haven for opera lovers in late summer, SOLT is the only operatic training course of its kind in the Greater Toronto Area, and alumni include Etienne Dupuis, Frederique Vezina, David Pomeroy, Keith Klassen, Marc Boucher, Krisztina Szabo, Joseph Kaiser, Norah Sourouzian and Joshua Hopkins.

In the 2014 season, THE MAGIC FLUTE will be heard on August 1, 3 (mat), 6 (mat) and 9; MADAME BUTTERFLY on August 2 (mat), 5, 7 and 9 (mat) and VANESSA on August 2, 6, 8 and 10 (mat). "It is increasingly important that vocal artists excel in communicating the drama of the text in English", says Silva-Marin, commenting on his English-only season. "Textual clarity is paramount in modern times as more and more operas are being written in the predominant North American idiom...and singers must take note of this trend." THE MAGIC FLUTE, Mozart's coming of age fantasy and Puccini's verismo MADAME BUTTERFLY will be led by pianist/music director Narmina Afandiyeva while VANESSA will be in the hands of Raisa Nakhmanovich. Silva-Marin will be the stage director for the three presentations.

The 39 SOLT participants for this summer have been chosen after an extensive audition process and come from hometowns, conservatories and universities across Canada, including professionals already in the national and international arena. Guest lecturers include Wayne Gooding, Catherine Robbin, Stuart Hamilton, Diane Loeb, Kathy Domoney, Kevin Mallon, Derek Bate and Henry Ingram.

All performances at the Robert Gill Theatre, University of Toronto, 214 College St. (entrance on St. George). Single tickets are $28, students and seniors are $22. The theatre is air-conditioned and convenient to public parking and transit. For tickets, call 416-366-7723 (Mondays to Fridays 12 to 6 pm). For more information, call the SOLT Admin Office: 416-922-2912 (Weekdays 10 am to 5 pm).

SOLT is generously supported by the Jackman Foundation and donations from individual SUMMER PATRONS.