Friends of Timothy
Celebration Concert and Exhibit
Monday
May 15, 2023
7:30pm
Venue McPherson Playhouse
Cost From $45
Lobby Exhibit | 6:00PM
Performance | 7:30PM
ADD ON Friends of Timothy Reception for an additional fee
This one-night-only concert features a program specially curated by Timothy Vernon, and will celebrate 43 years of Pacific Opera. Joining Maestro Vernon on the conductors’ podium will be Giuseppe Pietraroia and Kimberley-Ann Bartczak with the Victoria Symphony.
The evening will showcase the work of the many talented artists, singers, and instrumentalists associated with Pacific Opera. Special guests include soprano Suzanne Rigden, soprano Lauren Margison, mezzo-soprano Allyson McHardy, tenor Colin Ainsworth, and baritone Bruce Kelly.
A range of ticket prices are available for the Celebration Concert, starting at $45.
On concert night, the lobby will be animated with archival displays of costumes, props, ephemera and maquettes, Guests will be able to contribute to the creation of a commemorative guest book and participate in an immersive experience curated by Pacific Opera’s shop and administrative staff.
Join Timothy and guest artists after the performance for a reception held in the upper lobby of the MacPherson Theatre. This reception will feature catering, entertainment, and some special surprises. Limited tickets available!
As founding Artistic Director of Pacific Opera, Timothy Vernon has nurtured the company’s growth and vitality through his musicianship, intellect, and passion. A welcome figure on the podiums of Canada’s most important orchestras and opera companies, Maestro Vernon has led many of Pacific Opera’s more than 120 productions since the company’s inception in 1979.
His enterprising artistic vision for Pacific Opera has included multiple Canadian stage premières, among them Strauss’ Daphne and Capriccio, Blitzstein’s Regina, Weber’s Der Freischütz, Montemezzi’s L’Amore dei tre re, Giannini’s The Taming of the Shrew, and Lee Hoiby’s The Tempest.
He conducted the world première of Mary’s Wedding (commissioned by Pacific Opera) and of Les Feluettes (co-commission and world première co-production with Pacific Opera and Opéra de Montréal), as well as hallmark productions of Wozzeck, The Cunning Little Vixen, and Das Rheingold. He has conducted for Opéra de Montréal (Die Fledermaus), Opéra de Québec (Macbeth, The Barber of Seville), and Calgary Opera (Carmen, Eugene Onegin). He has appeared with every professional opera company and orchestra in Canada and is Conductor Laureate of Orchestra London.
Timothy Vernon’s unique contributions to the Canadian music scene have been recognized with many awards and honours. He is a member of the Order of Canada, a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, the 2005 Ruby Award as Opera Builder, the 2022 Lieutenant Governor’s Arts and Music Award, and honorary degrees from Royal Roads University and the University of Victoria.
Honorary Patron Her Honour, The Honourable Janet Austin, OBC, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
See all eventsTimothy Vernon conducting the Victoria Symphony, 2019. David Cooper Photography.
Erin Wall in Capriccio, 2010. David Cooper Photography.
Étienne Dupuis in Les Feluettes, 2017. David Cooper Photography.
Kimberly Barber, Doug MacNaughton, and Gregory Dahl in Regina, 2008. Pink Monkey Studios Photography.