Opéra Queens recently became the first company to hold an opera residency at Toronto’s Tranzac Club. Their performances take place on the first Saturday of each month in the venue’s Southern Cross Lounge, and began on April 12.
Tanya Smania headlines the residency, which spotlights QTBIPOC performers in what they describe as queerified, gender-bent, and drag opera performances. Each month has a different theme, as explained by Opéra Queens’ Artistic Director Mike Fan 范祖铭, a Chinese-Canadian operatic tenor (aka Tania Smania)
Opéra Queens Tania Smania performs at Tranzac Club on April 12:
The Residency
“The main big thing is obviously is that this is kind of historic,” Fan says.
It’s the very first opera residency at Tranzac.
“[The goal], especially in the wake of that whole Timothée Chalamet thing, is to make opera more accessible.”
That means making opera itself, as well as its audiences, more diverse, and accessible to the entire QTBIPOC community.
“We’ve stood on those stages,” they point out, “but [were] not always treated so well.”
Bringing opera from larger institutions to night clubs is part of the solution. With a pay what you can format, and relaxed vibe, the first event alone brought a nicely mixed audience.
“For first one — I was kind of surprised,” Mike says, mentioning there seemed to be a lot of newcomers to opera itself in the crowd.
They credit the Tranzac Club and its management for creating the right kind of welcoming environment.
“They’ve been so lovely, so welcoming. It’s just a really magical place.”
Opéra Queens Residency — By Theme
May 2: Gaysian Gala
“We’re picking up on Asian Heritage Month,” says Fan. “We’re spotlighting Asian artists and composers.”
Fan/Smania will be performing with pianist Suzanne Yeo in a program that includes music by Chiang Khan and Alice Ping Yee Ho, along with La Japonaise, an art song by composer Mario Previti and lyricist Karin ten Cate (from the rock opera Barcelona), and an excerpt from Léo Delibes’ Lakmé, an opera about a Hindu princess written in the “orientalist” mode that was popular at the time.
“A bunch of things supporting the canon of problematic Asian representation,” Fan laughs. “The point is, why aren’t Asians being cast in these roles?”
June 6: Proud Voices 2.0
“Obviously June is Pride,” Mike says. “That is definitely up our alley. We’re bringing back an open mic called Proud Voices.” The open mic ran in 2025 at another venue to great success.
“Tanya is going to bringing some diva things,” they add. That includes excerpts from Tosca, and Norma Desmond from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard. After a performance of big musical theatre and opera hits, the open mic will be offered to community performers. “Spotlighting the up and coming, and semi-pro singers.”
Open mic performers don’t have to sing opera, they explain. It could involve anything from pop to opera to musical theatre.
“The point is to show the little rainbow of performers.”
July 4: Summer Song Café
This intimate evening will be given over to art song and concert repertoire.
“The music that’s designed for this kind of Schubertiade,” Fan details. Schubertiades are synonymous with evenings spent with friends.
August 1: Opera Sustenida
This evening will feature a performance by Nicole Dubinsky and Stephanie DeCiantis of Opera Sustenida.
“Because they’re a woman-led opera company. As a part-time woman,” Fan laughs “it’s a great opportunity to support them and work together.”
September 5: Latin Night
“At least for now, [the residency] is only six months,” Mike explains. “We’re closing out with Latin night, focused on Carmen. Tanya has done it a lot.”
Soprano Christina Lamoureux will be one of the special guests, with others in the works.
“It’s actually really serendipitous,” Fan notes. “The two other time slots after us are both Latin groups. It’s a nice segue. The marathon is definitely underway.”
Opéra Queens Tranzac Residency
Performances take place May 2, June 6, July 4, August 1, and September 5 from 5 to 7 pm at Tranzac (292 Brunswick).
Shows are free/Pay-What-You-Can.
- Find out more about Opéra Queens and their performances [HERE].
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