Opera Atelier presents Jean-Baptiste Lully‘s opera Armide in Toronto this month, prior to its debut at the Royal Opera of Versailles, France.
“We are thrilled to be revisiting and revitalizing one of our favourite operas, and to be embarking on one of the most prestigious tours in our company’s history,” says Opera Atelier Founding Co-Artistic Director and Armide director Marshall Pynkoski. “It is an incredible honour to be personally invited to be part of the seasons of both the Royal Opera of Versailles… these invitations are a testament to Opera Atelier’s growing international reputation.”
The Muslim and Christian worlds collide in Armide – the supreme operatic masterpiece of the 17th century. The invincible Christian knight Renaud and the Muslim warrior princess Armide play out their doomed love affair against a backdrop of hopeless obsession, jealousy and magic.
Armide will star soprano Peggy Kriha Dye in the title role, tenor Colin Ainsworth as the Christian knight Renaud, bass João Fernandes as Hidraot, Vasil Garvanliev as Aronte, Carla Huhtanen as Phenice and Lucinde, Olivier Laquerre as Artemidore and Chevalier Ubalde, Curtis Sullivan as La Haine, Meghan Lindsay as Sidonie, Aaron Ferguson as Chevalier Danois, and the full corps of Artists of Atelier Ballet.
The creative team for Armide includes director Marshall Pynkoski, choreographer Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg, designer Gerard Gauci, and lighting designer Bonnie Beecher. Opera Atelier’s Music Director David Fallis conducts the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir.
The production runs April 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21 at the Elgin Theatre. All performances begin at 7:30 pm, with the exception of the Sunday, April 15 3:00 pm matinee.
Tickets for Armide can be purchased through Ticketmaster at 1-855-622-ARTS(2787) or www.ticketmaster.ca, or at the Elgin Theatre Box Office. $20 Operatix tickets may be purchased by patrons under 30 in person at the Elgin Theatre Box Office or online with the code OPERATIX. (Subject to availability. Valid I.D. required at pick-up.) For more information, visit www.operaatelier.com.
Photo Image by Bruce Zinger; courtesy of Opera Atelier.
The stars of Armide discuss the opera:
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