{"id":100872,"date":"2023-12-14T12:57:28","date_gmt":"2023-12-14T17:57:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=100872"},"modified":"2023-12-14T12:57:28","modified_gmt":"2023-12-14T17:57:28","slug":"preview-toronto-operetta-theatres-merry-widow-adds-beauty-wit-holiday-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2023\/12\/14\/preview-toronto-operetta-theatres-merry-widow-adds-beauty-wit-holiday-season\/","title":{"rendered":"PREVIEW | Toronto Operetta Theatre\u2019s The Merry Widow Adds Its Beauty And Wit To The Holiday Season"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Top (l-r): Sebastien Belcourt; Jonelle Sills; Matt Chittick \/ Bottom (l-r): Olivia Morton; Nathan Keoughan; Gregory Finney (Photos courtesy of the artists)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Toronto Operetta Theatre presents Franz Leh\u00e1r’s perennially popular The Merry Widow. The production will light up that holiday transitional period, taking the stage at the Jane Mallett Theatre from December 29, 2023 to January 2, 2024.<\/p>\n

Franz Leh\u00e1r’s Die lustige Witwe \u2014 The Merry Widow \u2014 was a hit from its premiere in 1905, and has come to be viewed as his greatest work. The libretto by Viktor L\u00e9on and Leo Stein is based on a play by Henri Meilhac that premiered in 1861. The comedy centres around a rich widow, and the attempts by her fellow countrymen to find a local husband to remarry \u2014 and, of course, keep her vast holdings in the neighbourhood.<\/p>\n

Its audience appeal comes from the gorgeous, hummable melodies, and the wit of the story.<\/p>\n

The Cast<\/h2>\n

The all-Canadian cast will feature soprano Jonelle Sills in her debut as the wealthy widow Hanna Glawari,, and Nathan Keoughan as Count Danila, with conductor Derek Bate leading the ensemble.<\/p>\n

Jonelle Sills: Hanna Glawari<\/h3>\n

Soprano Jonelle Sills was named one of Canada\u2019s 30 hot classical musicians under 30 for 2020 by CBC Music. In 2023, she made her debut in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream as Helena in the Vancouver Opera production, and performed Samuel Barber\u2019s Knoxville: Summer of 1915 and selections from Ian Cusson\u2019s Where There\u2019s A Wall with the National Arts Centre Orchestra. She is a 2019 Dora Award winner for outstanding performance of an Ensemble in Vivier\u2019s Kopernikus with Against The Grain Theatre.<\/p>\n

Nathan Keoughan: Count Danilo<\/h3>\n

Baritone Nathan Keoughan made his Verdi debut in the role of Conte di Luna in Op\u00e9ra de Montr\u00e9al\u2019s Il trovatore in the 2022-23 season, and later sang triple roles in Pacific Opera Victoria\u2019s production of Braunfel\u2019s Die V\u00f6gel. He’s equally comfortable in musical theatre roles, and has toured with a production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music. He’s a graduate of the l\u2019Op\u00e9ra de Montr\u00e9al\u2019s l\u2019Atelier lyrique program, and made his US debut with the Cinncinnati Opera in the role of Pink in Op\u00e9ra de Montr\u00e9al\u2019s innovative production Another Brick in the Wall.<\/p>\n

Gregory Finney: Baron Zeta<\/h3>\n

Cape Breton Baritone Gregory Finney is known for his theatrical as well as musical gifts, and has a reputation for physical comedy. The role of Baron Zeta is one of his dream roles, and he’s a favourite of TOT audiences. He’s a Dora Award winner for his part in Against the Grain Theatre’s Messiah\/Complex, and he hosts AtG’s monthly Opera Pub events.<\/p>\n

Matt Chittick: Camille de Rosillon<\/h3>\n

Tenor Matt Chittick is an Ottawa native whose career has taken him across the country. He’s performed with Calgary Opera, Portland Opera, the Windsor Symphony Orchstra, and Opera Kelowna, among many others \u2014 including his previous appearances with Toronto Operetta Theatre. He’s performed a wide variety of roles that include traditional opera repertoire such as Il Barbiere di Siviglia, operetta, and West Side Story and other musical theatre productions.<\/p>\n

Olivia Morton: Valencienne<\/h3>\n

Soprano Olivia Morton studied at Western University, and went on to earn a Masters at the San Francisco Conservatory. She’s performed with Summer Opera Lyric Theatre, and Opera York, among others. She’s sung in previous Toronto Operetta Theatre productions of Die Fledermaus and Perchance to Dream.<\/p>\n

Sebastien Belcourt: The Pirate King \/ Njegus<\/h3>\n

Toronto based baritone Sebastian Belcourt is a graduate of York University in Classical Voice. He has sung with the Orpheus Choir and Ottawa Bach Choir as a soloist in works such as J.S. Bach\u2019s Mass in B Minor, St. John Passion and St. Matthew Passion, and Carl Orff\u2019s Carmina Burana. He went on tour to China and Europe with the Ottawa Bach Choir. His repertoire includes roles in operas and operettas such as Masetto and Commendatore in Mozart\u2019s Don Giovanni with AEDO in Lucca, Italy, and Don Fernando in Toronto City Opera\u2019s production of Beethoven’s Fidelio, among others.<\/p>\n