Come back to the fantasy!
Please note this production includes fog, haze, and strobes effects, as well as sound effects of gunshots, thunder, and explosions.
Join Robert Holliston in the West Lobby one hour before each performance for a pre-show lobby talk!
When two disillusioned humans journey into the realm of Thrushes, Wrens, and Ravens, their ill-advised counsel leads to a thunderous reckoning with the gods.
Good Hope and Loyal Friend don’t set out to destroy the utopian world of the birds – they simply want to rule it. In this tale of suspicion and persuasion, danger, and desire, when warnings of wise Eagles and fearsome titans are ignored, the wrath of Zeus himself rains down on the Citadel of the birds.
With sumptuous melodies that dance through the air evoking the scent of flowers, and radiant arias fitting a Nightingale, this lavish comedic opera begs you to ask yourself – what do you long for?
“Almost one hundred years old, Braunfels’ operatic masterpiece has begun to come into its own only in the past two or three decades. Aristophanes was his inspiration; Braunfels departs from the Attic master in the second half of the piece; rather than a driving plot. Braunfels writes a continuous flow of irresistible melodic and sonic beauty. No denying the huge shadows of Wagner and Strauss, but it has its own personal idiom – the vocal writing is grateful in the best way, and the orchestra delivers a web of gorgeous, evocative themes and harmonies that transport us into this magical phantasmagoria.”
– Timothy Vernon, Founding Artistic Director
Costume Sketches by designer Nancy Bryant.
More on The Birds
Read our opera KeyNotes, including a snippet from Director Glynis Leyshon’s storyboard here!
The Upside on Chek News visited our rehearsal hall for The Birds to film the news! Watch it here!
Listen to the cast of The Birds
Enjoy recordings of the stellar cast of The Birds singing some of their favourite music!
Season
2022 | 2023
Sung In
German with English Surtitles
Tickets
From $29
Venue
Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton
Artists
Cast
Nachtigall (Nightingale)
Claire de Sévigné
Hoffegut
Adrian Kramer
Ratefreund
Peter Barrett
Wiedhopf (Hoopoe)
Justin Welsh
Prometheus
Kyle Albertson
Zaunschüpfer (Wren)
Jacqueline Woodley
Drossel (Blackbird or Thrush)
Rebecca Cuddy
Adler (Eagle) | Rabe (Raven) | Zeus
Nathan Keoughan
Nachtigall Cover
Suzanne Rigden
Hoffegut Cover
Scott Rumble
Ratefreund Cover
Dion Mazerolle
Wiedhopf (Hoopoe) Cover
Christopher Dunham
Orchestra
The Victoria Symphony
Creative Team
Conductor
Timothy Vernon
Stage Director
Glynis Leyshon
Set Designer
Pam Johnson
Costume Designer
Nancy Bryant
Lighting Designer
Eric Champoux
Projection Designer
Emily Cooper
Sound Designer
Brooke Maxwell
Choreographer
Jacques Lemay
Associate Conductor | Chorus Master
Giuseppe Pietraroia
Accompanist
Perri Lo
Stage Manager
Sara Robb
Assistant Stage Manager
Jordan Guetter
Assistant Stage Manager
Katerina Sokyrko
Head Carpenter
Phil Shaver
Lead Scenic Carpenter
Keith Allan
Head Scenic Artist
Jennifer Hedge
Lead Scenic Artist
Amy Frueh
Head of Properties
Kristen Sands
Lead Property Master
Karina Kalvaitis
Head Make-Up Artist
Jessica Pratt
Hair and Wig Stylist
Cristina Woods
Head of Wardrobe
Sandra McLellan
Lead Wardrobe
Alice Hawes
OAR Apprentice Stage Manager
Kaitlyn Alderson
OAR Set Design Assistant
Ryan Cormack
OAR Costume Design Assistant
Alaia Hamer
OAR Costume Design Assistant
Oriana Camporese
OAR Lighting Design Assistant
Emily Trepanier
OAR Video Projection Design Assistant
Marc Lavallee
OAR Production Assistant
Castor Angus
OAR Makeup Apprentice
Dani Parkinson
OAR Hair/Wigs Apprentice
Misty Buxton
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