As a member of the Canadian Opera Company‘s (COC) Ensemble Circle, I had the opportunity to attend last night’s announcement of the COC’s upcoming season.  I have to admit that I am very excited.  Many old favourites are back, as are new productions, including Pyramus and Thisbe, an opera by Canadian composer Barbara Monk Feldman with some music by early Baroque composer Claudio Monteverdi (seen by many as the “Father of Opera”).  The opera itself was inspired by a painting from Monteverdi’s era.

COC on Pyramus and Thisbe

Like most people, I first came across Pyramus and Thisbe in school, when I read A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  However, this version is NOT going to at all come close to the satirical play-within-a-play seen in the story.  Instead, it is going to be “serious” as they said in the presentation, and therefore, “tragic.”  In fact, the story inspired Shakespeare to write another high school favourite, Romeo and Juliet.  Since Pyramus and Thisbe is going to open the season, I wonder if a mythological theme will be part of Operanation 2015!

Of course, Pyramus and Thisbe is NOT the only opera I’m looking forward to seeing.  I am also looking forward to others, including Carmen (the closing show), La traviata and The Marriage of Figaro (for anyone looking for a comedy).  Sigfried and Maometto II round up the six operas for the 2016 season.