Edmonton Opera

History

Edmonton Opera was founded by Jean Létourneau in 1963. Approximately six amateur opera companies pre-date the Edmonton Opera's founding. After Mrs. J.B. Carmichael's death in 1964, singers who had been involved with the Edmonton Operatic Society approached local pianist and voice teacher Jean Letourneau about working with them. After a number of successful productions, the group changed its name to the Edmonton Professional Opera Association, with David Ker as the first president and Letourneau as the music director. "Professional" was dropped from the company's name in August 1966, as the then-artistic director, Irving Guttman, argued that it should be obvious to all if a company is professional.

The first season, 1963/64, featured two productions: Madama Butterfly in October 1963, and Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci in April 1964.

In 1966, Letourneau convinced Guttman, then artistic director of Vancouver Opera, to also work with Edmonton Opera, where he served as artistic director from 1966 to 1998. Guttman was also founding artistic director of Saskatchewan Opera, artistic director of Manitoba Opera, and artistic advisor to Calgary Opera, holding many of these posts simultaneously. As a result of his formative influence on these companies he became known as the Father of Opera in Western Canada.

Until 2008, the opera guild was one of many forms of support for the opera. Founded by Thelma Gregg, the group held many successful fundraisers and ensured everyone backstage was well-fed.

Since 2021, under the leadership of Artistic Director Joel Ivany, Edmonton Opera has pursued a programming model that balances traditional repertoire with contemporary reimaginings, interdisciplinary collaboration, and new Canadian work. The company has expanded partnerships with organizations including the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and Citadel Theatre, while also increasing investment in community engagement, artist development, and alternative performance formats. During this period, Edmonton Opera presented productions such as Wagner’s Die Walküre and Siegfried in chamber arrangements by Jonathan Dove, as well as new and immersive works including Orphée+.

Ivany’s tenure has also emphasized the development of emerging Canadian artists and broader audience access initiatives. The company expanded its Emerging Artist program through partnerships with institutions such as the National Arts Centre and the Yukon Arts Centre, while introducing increased community programming, donor events, and performances in non-traditional spaces. Edmonton Opera’s strategic direction during this period focused on positioning opera as a contemporary and evolving art form within the cultural life of Edmonton.

In 2023, Edmonton Opera announced the appointment of Canadian conductor Simon Rivard as their first music director. Prior to this, Rivard appeared as a guest conductor for their 2022 productions of Puccini's Tosca and La bohème.

Production history

The number of productions each year varies from two operas to as many as five, although five operas have been presented only twice in the company's history, in 1992/93 and 1993/94.