On September 30th, Pacific Opera Victoria takes the opportunity to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is an honour to share with you the HEARTS & HANDS artwork designed by Kwakwaka’wakw and Coast Salish artist Carey Newman/Ha̱yałka̱ng̱a̱me. You can order a limited HEARTS & HANDS PIN, with all proceeds supporting the Indigenous Fine Arts Scholarship at the University of Victoria, The Witness Blanket Project, and The Orange Shirt Society.

November 23 – 27, 2022

This evening of music, dance, and stunning visuals, staged by Israeli choreographer and director Idan Cohen of Ne. Sans Opera & Dance, celebrates the legendary Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen. Performers featured are world-renowned Canadian bass-baritone Daniel Okulitch, the multi-talented dancer/musician Ted Littlemore, and a classical chamber ensemble of violin, accordion and cello.

May 12 – 14, 2023

This insightful and tender exploration of life’s awkward underbelly is animated by sharp wit and occasionally shocking candour. Charismatic Canadian tenor, writer, and composer Isaiah Bell guides the audience through the vicissitudes of a life defined by what it’s missing — or, as he calls it, ‘The Story of a Hole’.

The Keynotes Collection is a curated exploration of Pacific Opera Victoria’s recent productions, featuring articles from our Keynotes Newsletter, as well as Programme Notes, production photos, video trailers, reviews, Archival Excerpt videos hosted by Maestros Timothy Vernon and Giuseppe Pietraroia, and more.

Dip your toe into new opera experiences or relive the magic. Come back often as new archival materials are added to the collection.

Head ‘Behind the Scenes’ for opera stories, artist profiles, and more…
Pacific Opera Victoria is one of the most influential professional opera companies in Canada. From its home in the Baumann Centre, Pacific Opera Victoria creates significant career opportunities for creative and performing artists and curates opera in surprising ways – enticing newcomers and captivating loyal opera-goers.

In this enchanting new opera, the animals of the forest are inspired to come together by Dukdukdiya, the Hummingbird, to save their beautiful home from a raging fire.

Digital viewings of The Flight of the Hummingbird will be available to schools to book, including both the filmed version of the opera and a special Q&A with two cast members. Additional learning resources are available to the public, including an additional Q&A, arts-based activities, sheet music, and more.

As it happens, quite a lot.

At a time when we’re questioning assumptions about the portrayal of women and minorities in all forms of cultural expression, it’s also time to think more critically about the world of opera – an art form essentially sustained by relics and values of past centuries.

Witness the transformation from singer to creator as Pacific Opera’s resident citizen artists are mentored by industry professionals from across Canada in the creation of Music Alive video recitals.

You are invited to follow the Civic Engagement Quartet and Apprentice Civic Engagement Artists as we share photos and artist vlogs (video blogs) that bring you behind-the scenes and into the artists’ process, their a-ha moments, and each of the personal journeys as they discovering their own creative potential.

A space that celebrates and features diverse voices from the IBPoC (Indigenous, Black, People of Colour) community and historically marginalized or oppressed groups, offering a platform to share music and stories that matter.

Communication of truths is what art and artists can do with unequaled directness. Join us in this space for recitals, conversations, and stories of lived experiences from opera artists across the field.