Derek Stanyer

Aaron Durand

Allyson Hop

Vancouver Opera

If you’ve heard of Figaro, chances are you’ve heard of him a number of times in a row (Figaro...Figaro...Figaro...Fiiiiiiiiiiiigaro!!!). Figaro is something of a fixer, and not just of hair. In this adventure, the industrious barber works to unite two young lovers, Count Almaviva and Rosina, but to do so, he must also thwart Dr. Bartolo’s plan to make Rosina his bride, thereby pocketing her considerable dowry.

Arguably the most buffa opera of all opera buffas, The Barber of Seville is a joyful, high energy romp that delights the eyes and ears while offering a much-needed counterbalance to the deep, dark doldrums of a Vancouver midwinter.

In a colourful reimagining by the dynamic Canadian creative duo of director Morris Panych and designer Ken MacDonald, Barber’s fast-paced plot is kept aloft by the unrivalled comedic chemistry between Cesare Sterbini’s libretto and Rossini’s energetic, endlessly inventive melodies, steered here by Maestro Leslie Dala.

Admittedly, opera can lean a bit towards the tragic, so it may surprise some that in a story full of trickery, scheming, and lovers separated by a despicable villain…everything ends well! Save that pit in your stomach for another day and enjoy a sparkling, laugh-out-loud comedy ride packed with irresistible melodies, scissor-sharp scheming, and Rossini’s most famous tunes.

The Barber of Seville

Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata premiered in 1853 and has since become one of opera’s most beloved works. Today, it stands as the second-most-presented opera worldwide since 2022—an enduring favourite whose popularity shows no signs of slowing.

A sweeping story of impossible love, set to some of Verdi’s most emotionally-charged music, La Traviata tells of Violetta, a courtesan desired, elevated, and ultimately undone by the society that fixes its gaze on her. Alfredo sees her through the soft blur of infatuation, believing he alone can capture her truth. Alfredo’s father, however, sees Violetta as a “fallen woman” and demands that she break off her relationship with Alfredo for the sake of his family’s reputation. Heartbroken sacrifice made, her health worsens. Alfredo rushes to her side, but is it too late to undo what’s done?

Helmed by internationally acclaimed Vancouver-based director Idan Cohen, this new co-production with Pacific Opera Victoria closes out 2026–2027 with a striking stage design that draws from Pop Art, classic Hitchcock aesthetics, and mass media culture, while Vancouver Opera’s esteemed Music Director Jacques Lacombe steers Verdi’s score through the intoxicating desire lines of romance, high drama, and exquisite melody.

La Traviata

Opera is back at the library! Join us for the premiere of Season Four of Opera Adventures, our free live series that brings opera to life through storytelling, conversation, and performance.

This October, we dive into Verdi’s Rigoletto—a gripping tale of love, betrayal, and revenge. Hosted by the ever-engaging Nicholas Burns, the evening features live performances by two acclaimed singers, with the brilliant Derek Stanyer at the piano.

Opera Adventures: Rigoletto