After a long history of collaboration between Opera Atelier and Mirvish Productions, the two organizations have agreed to move forward with a rekindled partnership beginning 2019.
In time for Atelier’s anniversary production of Mozart’s Idomeneo with soprano Measha Brueggergosman (April 4 – 13, 2019) the company will move all main stage programming to from the Elgin Theatre to the Ed Mirvish Theatre.
Opera Atelier has called the Elgin Theatre home for nearly 20 years, but as the company continues to grow, the theatre’s relatively small stage size has been a limiting factor, especially regarding set design and repertoire. The theatres capacity has also been a challenge to the Atelier, who regularly sell out their shows.
Ed Mirvish Theatre will offer Atelier the possibility to sell an additional 661 seats per concert over the 1,539 cap at the Elgin, resulting in a potential 30 percent increase in potential ticket revenue.
The partnership will also allow Opera Atelier to capitalize on Mirvish’s marketing power.
Opera Atelier will continue to use the Elgin for rehearsals and well as a space to host the Making of an Opera education program.
The relationship between the Mirvish and Opera Atelier when David Mirvish began attending their concerts in the in the early 1990’s. He approached Artistic Directors founding co-artistic directors Marshall Pynkoski and Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg, and offered to move the young company into the Royal Alexandra Theatre as a special add-on to his season, allowing them greater stability. Opera Atelier used the opportunity to present North America’s first-period productions of Mozart and later classical repertoire, including The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni and Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice. As Atelier’s popularity grew, they decided it was time to seek out a place to call their own, and in 1999 moved into to the Elgin Theatre, which also had a slightly larger capacity.
In a press release statement, David Mirvish called Opera Atelier an “outstanding Canadian success story. Marshall and Jeannette have built a passionate following here at home, as well as abroad, and it is exciting to have the opportunity to collaborate with them once again.”
“David Mirvish is a true visionary, and his commitment to the Toronto theatre scene is exceptional,” says Pynkoski. “Commercial success is only a part of David’s equation as a producer. He is equally passionate about innovation and excellence. We look forward to this new development in Opera Atelier’s history, as we continue to grow our brand nationally and internationally.“
Opera Atelier’s 2018-2019 season opens at the Elgin Theatre this fall with a French Baroque double bill of Charpentier’s Actéon paired with Rameau’s Pygmalion (Oct. 25 – Nov. 3, 2018). Following its Toronto run, the production will embark on an international tour to Chicago’s Harris Theater and the Palace of Versailles, France.
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