About Vancouver Island Opera
Mission Statement:
The VANCOUVER ISLAND OPERA was incorporated under the Society Act of British Columbia on November 22, 2001 as the Oceanside Lyric Ensemble. The Society subsequently changed its name to Vancouver Island Opera in 2005.The main objectives that VANCOUVER ISLAND OPERA has chosen to fulfill are to promote the appreciation, study and performance of opera throughout The Island communities and to provide opportunities for local talent to participate in operatic productions. These live performances will also serve to offer enjoyment of music for local residents of all ages in such venues as theatres, community halls, schools, churches, seniors' residences and hospitals.
To achieve these goals, VANCOUVER ISLAND OPERA provides a framework for aspiring singers and accompanists to obtain training and experience in voice, acting, diction and study of the operatic repertoire which may possibly lead to future professional careers. Members of the Company are also dedicated to bringing opera to children in schools with interactive educational programs which explain this art form and draw the children into the performances as co-actors in such operas as Hansel and Gretel, The Magic Flute and other appropriate works. The Board of Directors pursues a policy of cooperative liaisons with other organizations such as visual arts, drama, dance, musicians - vocal as well as instrumental in order to share community resources among each other.
Biography of Organization:
Tatiana Vasilieva, founder, commenced her musical studies in Italy under the legendary Italian tenor, Beniamino Gigli (1890-1957) and embarked on a highly successful operatic career encompassing four continents. She was described by Opera Canada magazine as having a "voice of exceptional brilliance, style and vocal control."
Tatiana's dream was realized ten years ago when she became the inspiration and the driving force behind Oceanside Lyric Ensemble (Opera Ole). Tatiana, a retired opera singer, has served in the roles of founder, producer and artistic director. She has brought beauty, elegance and the pleasure of opera to the region's aficionados and to first-timers alike.
The Vancouver Island Opera (VIO), a member of the Oceanside Community Arts Council with its registered office in Parksville, British Columbia, is a non-profit society originally incorporated under the Society Act in November of 2001 under the name of Oceanside Lyric Ensemble. The Society subsequently changed its name to Vancouver Island Opera in 2005, as it is known and nationally recognized today.
The Vancouver Island Opera (VIO) will present its ninth full length feature production on October 27 (7:30 pm) and October 28 (2:30 pm), 2012. The opera will be announced. Previous productions include L'Elisir d'Amore, Die Fledermaus, Madama Butterfly, La boheme, Carmen, La traviata, and The Barber of Seville.
The orchestra, composed of professional musicians, will feature musicians from the Vancouver, the Victoria and the Mid-Island Symphony Orchestras. Our principal singers, chosen by an audition process, are drawn from the ranks of young professional soloists who are at the beginning of their careers. This provides them an opportunity to perform major roles on stage, thus gaining the necessary experience required for careers in the field before launching their national careers. Local performers, including youth and children, will be featured in supporting roles and as extras. Our chorus comprises approximately twenty members, local amateurs, of all ages. Also involved in the production are lighting and staging experts, retired professional soloists, volunteers and business people from the community.
Youth are encouraged to join through our outreach programs, providing them with experience in the opera genre and thus expanding their knowledge and appreciation of the arts and classical music. This has motivated two of our previous young chorus members, while still attending school, to take voice and music studies, and to pursue careers in performing.
Opera is taken to the people, from the full length performances to excerpts of the opera presented to schools and seniors' facilities in this region.
We are a local opera company with national recognition, as evidenced by the glowing reviews which have appeared in Opera Canada of several of our opera productions.
Another of VIO's cultural endeavour is the Oceanside Recital Series. For several years, we have presented winter/spring concerts featuring professional singers and instrumentalists of various genres. These have been extremely well received and are considered a welcome addition to Oceanside's cultural calendar.
