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Choosing productions in which modern subject matter is given the operatic treatment is something VO will be doing more of in the future, Wright says, and Nixon in China fits that bill. The opera follows Nixon’s historic visit to China in 1972.
“I think that what we'll see is more and more attention to newer work. We have a responsibility and a desire to broaden the kind of opera we produce with new work, more 20th century work. What we want to do is find a balance in our season year-to-year.”
Edel Rodriguez's award winning design for Vancouver Opera's golden year (Edel Rodriguez)
Enlisting the expertise of renowned artist Edel Rodriguez, VO has added a prestigious visual appeal to its production artwork. The former art director for Time Magazine was commissioned to illustrate VO’s 2009-2010 posters, including those for Norma, The Marriage of Figaro, and Madama Butterfly. His work for VO won a Communication Arts Illustration competition.
In tune with the Olympic fever gripping Vancouver, Rodriguez autographed a limited number of snowboards bearing his Vancouver Opera designs which will be auctioned off on VO's eBay Charity Auctions website.
Wright says VOs long-running education program has reached more students than any other opera company in Canada. There are plans to greatly expand the program in the coming years.
“We want [to have] 140 performances a year for young people in schools throughout the province, and we want to increase that. Our plan is to develop a young artist program, a training of young professional singers, and having a residency program here that moves them along in their professional endeavors. That's something we hope to start in the next couple of years.”
To commemorate the golden anniversary Vancouver Opera will donate 10,000 hours to charities and non-profits in surrounding communities.
