Description
Private Preview of ‘Carmen’ with TCO stars
“Love can turn to obsession in the blink of an eye”
Before the TSO’s full opera production in June, enjoy this rare private preview of the best of Carmen with TCO’s stars, Hillary Tufford, Brent MacKenzie, Connor O’Kane and Stephen Carr.
Set in the dusty, white-hot countryside of Seville, Spain, Carmen has been a perennial favorite of opera audiences for over a century. With a seductive score as irresistible as Carmen herself, Bizet’s most celebrated opera features the iconic melodies of the “Habanera” and “Toreador Song.” It is the story of Don José, a troubled man, and Carmen, a free-spirited woman whose heart he will never possess.
Toronto City Opera’s all-new production returns to the original novella in which Carmen first appeared. This Carmen is no victim of her own freedom but a woman whose fate is sealed the day she finds herself caught in the toxic gaze of Don José – a man who abandons both the church and the military. Quick and lethal as the flash of a bullfighter’s cape, José’s passion for Carmen turns to obsession. The TCO’s production in June will be fully staged with piano accompaniment at the Al Green Theatre, Toronto. From the first notes of its beloved overture to its jaw-dropping final scene, this is a Carmen not to be missed! https://www.torontocityopera.com/carmen
From the first notes of its beloved overture to its jaw-dropping final scene, this is a Carmen not to be missed!
Your $45 ticket includes the concert plus a wine reception and meeting the artists. Proceeds help empower underserved kids through www.youthLEADarts.com.
Hillary Tufford:
Canadian mezzo soprano, is a versatile performer, gaining attention across Canada in roles including Olga (Eugene Onegin), where Opera Canada noted her “ rich velvety tone”; Hermia ( A Midsummer Night’s Dream) and Flora ( La Traviata). A recent Graduate of Western University, (Masters in Literature and Performance), Hillary was invited to join the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artist Program at Vancouver Opera, where she sang Lola (Cavalleria Rusticana ). Concert performances for Hillary include the alto soloist in Beethoven’s Ninth with Kingston Symphony Orchestra, Handel’s Messiah with Elmer Iseler Singers, Duruflé Requiem with Victoria Philharmonic Choir, and Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle with Vancouver Bach Choir.
Brent MacKenzie:
Described by Review Vancouver as a “mellifluous tenor”, Brent is a graduate of the University of British Columbia, holding a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music. Brent has played roles ranging from Vašek in Prodaná nevěsta (The Bartered Bride), Caramello in Eine Nacht in Venedig, Scaramuccio in Ariadne auf Naxos, and Jonathan Dale in Silent Night. In 2022, Brent appeared in City Opera Vancouver’s world premiere of Chinatown as The Policeman, and lent his talents to the original cast recording. Brent has sung in the chorus for Vancouver Opera since 2023, first appearing in The Flying Dutchman.
Connor O’Kane:
Assistant Conductor, is a highly sought-after pianist, vocal coach, and conductor. As a soloist, he has performed across Canada, and was awarded the Canimex Second Prize at the 2022 CMC Stepping Stone. A passionate opera lover, he has been a répétiteur on productions at the National Arts Centre, the Banff Centre, University of Ottawa, Wilfrid Laurier University, and at Western University, where he currently serves as assistant conductor under Maestro Simone Luti. Most recently, Connor conducted Western’s closing performance of Britten’s Albert Herring in March 2023.
Stephen Carr:
Stage director and educator who has served on the faculties of the Eastman School of Music, Interlochen Arts Center, University of Toronto, Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto), and the Senzoku Gakuen College of Music (Tokyo), Stephen has directed recent productions at the Seoul Arts Centre (Tosca, Turandot, Le Nozze di Figaro, Lucia di Lammermoor), Daegu Opera (Così fan Tutte), Toronto City Opera (Cavalleria Rusticana, Die Fledermaus, Carmen), and Daejeon Opera (La Bohème), as well as past engagements with companies throughout the United States, including the Washington National Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Opera North, Center City Opera of Philadelphia, and Opera Naples. He is currently pursuing a PhD in musicology and ethnomusicology at York University.
