Opera Atelier founding Co-Artistic Directors Marshall Pynkoski and Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg have been appointed to the Order of Canada.
As one of Canada’s highest honours, Pynkoski and Zingg were awarded by the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, for their impact on Canadian performing arts and commitment to the education of young artists through The School of Atelier Ballet.
“It seems fitting, that Jeannette and I received a phone call from the Governor General’s office while we were in the Louvre researching for an upcoming Opera Atelier production,” said Pynkoski in a press release statement. “Our work is inseparable, and it is our hope that this award will heighten the public’s interest in the repertoire we most love.”
Founded in 1985, Opera Atelier has filled a unique niche in Toronto by focusing on historically informed baroque and classical opera and ballet productions. Most recently, Opera Atelier’s production of Charpentier’s Medée was chosen to a part of the official Canada 150 celebrations in France.
“We feel that we share this honour with Opera Atelier’s entire creative team and the committed artists who have provided us with such inspiration over the years,” added Zingg.
Opera Atelier will be performing Mozart’s Idomeneo (Apr. 4 – 13, 2019 at the Ed Mirvish Theatre), starring Canadian soprano Measha Brueggergosman.