{"id":115795,"date":"2025-07-07T13:02:56","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T17:02:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=115795"},"modified":"2025-07-07T21:18:34","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T01:18:34","slug":"feature-suprema-surprisingly-good-opera-surprisingly-good-pizza","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2025\/07\/07\/feature-suprema-surprisingly-good-opera-surprisingly-good-pizza\/","title":{"rendered":"FEATURE | Suprema: A Surprisingly Good Opera With Surprisingly Good Pizza"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"R-L:
R-L: Baritone Alexander Hajek performs in the Suprema Opera; The Suprema Opera set (Photo: Anya Wassenberg)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Opera for pizza?<\/p>\n

When German multinational food giant Dr. Oetker thought about how to introduce what they\u2019re calling their first major innovation to their frozen pizza lineup in two decades, they turned to the arts.<\/p>\n

The result is Suprema: The Opera for Aficionadoughs, which launched on July 4 as created by Toronto’s Opera Revue team. It will be available to experience free of charge \u2014 with a slice of the new-style pizza to sample as a bonus \u2014 at the TD Music Centre until July 19.<\/p>\n

The new pizza, which comes in four flavour combinations so far, was inspired by a trip to Naples by a Dr. O team. With more and more people choosing to stay home for their entertainment, the company wanted to elevate the frozen pizza experience to bridge the gap between grocery store and pizzeria, using better ingredients and processes.<\/p>\n

Likewise, the promotion strategy looked for an elevated experience.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not the first food product related performance that Toronto audiences have seen in recent times, either. The Last Timbit, a musical theatre production based on the true story of a group of people stranded at a Tim Hortons during a snowstorm, took the stage at the Elgin Theatre in June. It, too, featured a creative team of bona fides that included producer Michael Rubinoff, with music and lyrics by Anika and Britta Johnson.<\/p>\n

\"Opera
Opera Revue L-R: Baritone Alexander Hajek; pianist Claire Elise Harris; soprano Danie Friesen (Photo: Noel Araquel)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Suprema Opera: Interview with Soprano Danie Friesen & Baritone Alexander Hajek<\/h2>\n

We spoke to Opera Revue\u2019s Danie Friesen<\/strong> and Alexander Hajek<\/strong> about the opera they created.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s pretty fun, actually. We got approached to do the project,\u201d says Opera Revue\u2019s Danie Friesen. She says the art form was linked to the pizza\u2019s inspiration. \u201cWhat is the most quintessential Italian thing?\u201d<\/p>\n

The answer was: opera. The 14-minute timing of the opera coincides with the cooking instructions for the pizza, which call for 11 minutes in the oven, with an additional 3 minutes for a crisper finish.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause that\u2019s how long it takes to cook a pizza,\u201d Friesen says.<\/p>\n

Friesen and her Opera Revue partners appreciated the artistic freedom they were given by the Dr. Oetker reps. \u201cThey were clear: \u2018We don\u2019t want the opera to be about pizza\u2019,\u201d she explains. \u201cThey wanted passion.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hence, a story about an ancient god and his struggle to find a place in the strange modern world.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was really fun for us to come up with the libretto and the opera,\u201d she says. \u201cWe really found that some of the themes that they wanted to hit, in terms of convenience, quality, tradition and more modern [ideas] \u2014 were big themes that could resonate in an operatic performance. It ends up being a really fun vehicle.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Italian-inspired style of the opera offered other creative opportunities.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve littered it with little Easter eggs,\u201d says Alexander Hajek. Every once in a while, the audience will think they\u2019re hearing something very familiar. \u201cYou\u2019ll think, hey I hear some Puccini,\u201d he says. But, those bits quickly evolve into something different.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been very fun for us,\u201d Danie says. She notes that, as Opera Revue, the trio is largely focused on performances in alternate venues like pubs, along with opera satires.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the first time actually writing something,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were thinking, the client has certain needs, and we have to hit them all,\u201d Hajek says. \u201cWe accidentally wrote a really good piece,\u201d he adds. \u201cIt has touching moments.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a small company on a budget, the idea of producing new works was out of reach. \u201cNever in a million years would we think of, let\u2019s write an opera,\u201d Alexander says.<\/p>\n

Opera for Everyone<\/h3>\n

\u201cOne of our mandates is making opera more accessible,\u201d Danie says.<\/p>\n

Free pizza may be a draw, but it\u2019s the music that will keep you in your seat. \u201cI think you\u2019re going to hear some Puccini-esque, Rossini and [other] moments,\u201d Hajek says, \u201cfun carnival moments. I think after five or six minutes, you\u2019ll forget why you\u2019re there, and just get into the opera.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got a set designer who\u2019s created this wonderful set,\u201d Friesen explains. There are several shows and times to choose from over the course of the run. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be really fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a lot less intimidating than going to see a five hour Wagner,\u201d Hajek adds.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the perfect thing if you\u2019ve got a family,\u201d Friesen mentions. \u201cMaybe they discover they like opera.\u201d<\/p>\n

And, pizza.<\/p>\n

\u201cWin, win win,\u201d Hajek says.<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Toronto Mike:<\/p>\n