Timothy Vernon: New Artistic Director of Opera Lyra
Renowned conductor begins immediately
“Timothy Vernon will bring a lifetime of opera success to audiences in the National Capital. His outstanding productions and innovations have won ovations across Canada and the world. What a musical coup for all of us!” – Victor Rabinovitch
Victor Rabinovitch, Chair of the Board of Opera Lyra, and John Peter Jeffries, General Director of Opera Lyra, announced today that Timothy Vernon has been appointed new Artistic Director of Opera Lyra, starting immediately with the 2015-2016 season. Maestro Vernon is one of the leading figures of the Canadian operatic scene and brings to Opera Lyra an exciting new artistic vision for the future of the art form in Ottawa.
“I am fully committed to Opera Lyra. As a conductor, I am very excited to work with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, that glorious orchestra. As Artistic Director, I can’t wait to present opera with guts and imagination to Canada’s Capital.” – Timothy Vernon
“Our capital city certainly deserves an opera company that extends beyond regional interest; I am thrilled to be given this opportunity to apply what I may have learned about building a company – and a community around it – in a milieu so full of promise and potential,” said Vernon about his new challenge. “I believe Opera Lyra to be a natural home and showcase for talented Canadians in every aspect of opera production. I look forward eagerly to working to expand the circle of opera-lovers who believe strongly in the vital role our arts have to play in fostering a vibrant, creative, forward-looking and finally humane society, and who want to ensure that Opera Lyra remains a key player in our cultural life.”
Timothy Vernon will take the podium in Ottawa when he conducts Opera Lyra’s second major opera of the 2015-2016 season Fidelio (March 19-26). “Fidelio is a favourite of mine. It is Beethoven’s visionary piece and full of incredible atmosphere. It lifts your heart and spirits. The story is celebratory, it’s universal. It’s not necessary to set it in any period.” Opera Lyra’s 31st season opens with The Barber of Seville on September 26. In October, the company presents two new operas by young Canadian composers, Etiquette and Regina, in collaboration with Toronto’s Essential Opera. The season closes with Haydn’s charming L’isola disabitata featuring the Opera Lyra Studio members along with Ottawa’s Thirteen Strings, conducted by Kevin Mallon.