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Alexander Neef

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BIO

Alexander Neef will serve as the next General Director of Opéra national de Paris.

Neef took over as General Director of the Canadian Opera Company in June 2008. In his current position, he has transformed the COC into one of the most significant opera producers in the world, attracting globally renowned singers for high-profile role debuts and gathering some of the most important conductors, directors, and designers for creative projects. The company has since hosted two world premieres, Pyramus and Thisbe, by Canadian composer Barbara Monk Feldman, in fall 2015, and Hadrian, composed by Rufus Wainwright with libretto by Daniel MacIvor in fall 2018; two more new operas are scheduled for future seasons: The Old Fools, by composer Ana Sokolović and librettist Paul Bentley, and La Reine-Garçon, by composer Julien Bilodeau and librettist Michel Marc Bouchard.

One of Neef's most significant credits to the company includes increasing the public profile and professional development opportunities of the COC Ensemble Studio, a multidisciplinary training program for young opera singers. In addition to casting an annual mainstage performance with The Ensemble Studio's young artists, Neef spearheaded the creation of The Ensemble Studio Competition, an annual event that invites a public audience to hear the final rounds of auditions for the career-changing program. Recently, the company's development initiatives have expanded to form the COC Academy, an incubator for the future of the art form that nurtures Canada's new wave of opera creators with customized training and support.

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Gustavo Dudamel To Resign As The Paris Opera Music Director

The Paris Opera announces the resignation of Gustavo Dudamel as Music Director at the end of the  22/23 season for personal reasons.  
Aurélie Dupont, Director of Dance at The Opera National De Paris Will Depart Company July 31st

Aurélie Dupont will depart as the Director of Dance at the Opéra national de Paris and Alexander Neef, Director General of the Opéra national de Paris, has accepted her resignation. Her departure will be effective on July 31, 2022.
Cherubini's MEDEA is the Greek National Opera's First Co-Production With the Metropolitan Opera

As part of an ever-expanding outreach strategy, the Greek National Opera would like to announce its first major co-production with three leading North American opera houses: the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, the Canadian Opera Company, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
The Santa Fe Opera Announces Six Casting Updates For The 2021 Season

The Santa Fe Opera announces the following casting updates for the 2021 Season opening on July 10 and running through August 27: Laurie Feldman will direct The Marriage of Figaro after a concept by French Director Laurent Pelly, who is unable to travel to Santa Fe due to international travel restrictions and has therefore been following rehearsals and the progress of the production from France.
Park Sae Eun Becomes Paris Opera Ballet's First Asian Principal Dancer

After stints at ABT II and Korea National Ballet in her early career, Park started performing with the Paris Opera Ballet in 2011 and joined the company full-time the following year, becoming the company's first Korean female full-time member.
Opéra National de Paris Cancels Performances Through April 5

This includes all performances of 'Aida', as well as the “Concert de musique Russe” set for March 4, the Young Audience recital throughout March, the production of “Pingouin” set for March 17-22, the recital by Julie Fuchs set for March 30, and Notre-Dame de Paris, set for March and April.
Paris Opera Will Take Action Against Racism and Work For Diversity Within its Company

The Paris Opera has published a 66-page report on diversity at its company, focusing on the Ballet, following an open letter written by five Black members of the company last year.
The Canadian Opera Company's Podcast KEY CHANGE Returns This Winter

The Canadian Opera Company’s new podcast, Key Change, returns this winter with more fresh takes on all things opera. The second season examines opera through artistic and cultural lenses, with special guests including: current and incoming COC General Directors Alexander Neef and Perryn Leech and more.
Canadian Opera Company Names Perryn Leech As Incoming General Director 

After a year-long, international search, the Canadian Opera Company has named Perryn Leech its next General Director. Leech officially begins his position on March 1, 2021, with current COC General Director Alexander Neef continuing as company leader throughout the transition period.
IRCPA Presents MOVING ARTISTS FORWARD With Managers Kathy Domoney And Andrew Kwan

Artists managers help artists to define their goals and to achieve them. They take the roles of sounding board, confidant, protector and devil's advocate - sometimes leading, sometimes following, and at times just getting out of the way. In the time of the Pandemic, what to do?
COC Marks Mainstage Success, Community Building, and Digital Expansion in 2019/2020 Season

The Canadian Opera Company’s 2019/2020 season marked a year of inspired mainstage programming, increased community engagement, and new digital initiatives, as reported today at the COC’s Annual General Meeting by COC Board Chair Jonathan Morgan and COC General Director Alexander Neef.
Playwright, Author, Musician Tomson Highway Featured In Zoom Conversation

Internationally celebrated Canadian playwright Tomson Highway, also a gifted pianist, songwriter and novelist, is the next guest in a series of pandemic Zoom chats presented by the International Resource Centre for Performing Artists.
The Santa Fe Opera Sets The Stage For A Bold New Season In 2021

The Santa Fe Opera’s General Director Robert K. Meya announced today the company’s exciting return to the stage in 2021 with the repertory, principal singers, conductors, directors and designers scheduled for its 64th Season.
Opéra National de Paris Considers Banning Blackface For All Performances

Opéra National de Paris is considering a formal ban of blackface in its performances. This comes after over 400 of the opera's employees signed a manifesto against racial inequality.
Canadian Opera Company Cancels Remainder of Planned 2020/2021 Season

Given ongoing uncertainty around large-scale and indoor gatherings due to COVID-19, the Canadian Opera Company will be cancelling the rest of its originally planned 2020/2021 season programming.
Canadian Opera Company Unveils Reimagined Fall Season With OPERA EVERYWHERE

The Canadian Opera Company is gearing up for a reimagined fall season of physically distanced programming, called Opera Everywhere. This new slate of digital and in-person events includes live concerts, interactive learning opportunities, and deep dives into opera's past and future, all designed with community-building in mind.
Alexander Neef To Begin As Head Of Opéra National De Paris in September 2020

The Canadian Opera Company announced today that General Director Alexander Neef will begin his new role as head of Opéra national de Paris, effective September 2020, while maintaining his responsibilities as COC General Director until a new COC leader is named and transitions into the role.
BWW Review: SONGS FROM THE SANTA FE OPERA at Home Computer Screens

The story of David Henry Hwanga??s play  M. Butterfly, while entwined with that of Puccinia??s opera Madama Butterfly, is basically about the relationship between French diplomat Bernard Boursicot and Shi Pei Pu, a Peking Opera singer. The singer, thought by all who knew her to be female, was actually male. Premiering on Broadway in 1988, the play won that yeara??s Tony Award for Best Play.
Canadian Opera Company To Stream HADRIAN In Free, One-Night-Only Presentation

 For the first time ever, audiences around the world will have a special opportunity to watch the Canadian Opera Company's 2018 world premiere production of Hadrian, in full, online. On Monday, August 10 at 6:30 p.m. ET, in partnership with Montréal Pride Festival, the COC is hosting a free, one-night-only digital stream of the modern grand opera. The Hadrian Watch Party helps kick off one week of virtual Pride events and will feature a live Q&A session with both the composer and celebrated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright and librettist Daniel MacIvor, a giant in Canadian theatre.
Canadian Opera Company Announces Cancellation of All In-Person Programming for Fall 2020

Given continued restrictions on large public gatherings in Toronto due to ongoing precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Canadian Opera Company will be cancelling all in-person performances, programming, and events through the fall of its 2020/2021 season.

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