For more than 20 years, The Banff Centre has been a critical catalyst in the creation and production of new Canadian works in opera and music theatre. Creative workshops in music, libretto, voice, stage movement, design and production of sets, costumes, props, and lighting have all contributed to The Banff Centre’s reputation as a leader in training, development, and production of new opera.
The Banff Centre has been a producer of many major new works of contemporary repertoire, sometimes collaborating with partner organizations who share common interests. These partnerships are critical in building the bridges that connect The Banff Centre’s creative research and training with the broader artistic community and the public-at-large.
Banff has hosted a series of world and Canadian premieres of work developed here. These include Tornrak (1991), a co-production with the Welsh National Opera, by John Metcalf and Michael Wilcox; Ubu (1992), co-produced with Music Theatre Wales, by Andrew Toovey and Michael Finnissey; Kafka’s Chimp (1996) by John Metcalf and Mark Morris; Jackie O (1997), co-produced with Houston Grand Opera, by Michael Dougherty and Wayne Koestenbaum; and Zurich 1916 (1998) by Christopher Butterfield and John Bentley Mays.
In 2001, the Centre partnered with Calgary Opera to co-commission and co-produce a full-scale opera based on a true story of love, murder, and rum-running in Alberta’s Crowsnest Pass. Filumena, composed by John Estacio with libretto by John Murrell, premiered in 2003 to national acclaim. The opera has since been produced four more times — in Banff, Edmonton, and as part of the National Arts Centre’s Alberta Scene festival in Ottawa — and has gained a reputation as one of the most exciting events in Canadian opera in years.
In 2003, Estacio and Murrell embarked on a second full-length original opera, Frobisher. Also co-commissioned and co-produced with Calgary Opera, it has become the focus of opera development at The Banff Centre during the past few years.
Every summer, the Centre’s Opera as Theatre program emphasizes the acquisition of solid theatrical skills by young singers who have already achieved a high level of musical sophistication. This emphasis on instilling overall theatre knowledge in musical artists is relatively rare in opera programs throughout Canada and North America.
Banff Centre alumni are among the greatest names in opera today, including Valdine Anderson, Benjamin Butterfield, Tracy Dahl, Ben Heppner, Richard Margison, Patricia O’Callaghan, Michael Schade, John Tessier, and Laura Whalen.
Theatre Production, Design, and Stage Management
Each stage production developed at The Banff Centre also provides opportunities for emerging professionals in stage craft to work on major projects, acquiring hands-on skills and access to some of Canada’s top theatre artists. Productions are built from the ground up at the Centre, from initial concept to finished work. Work-study participants collaborate with experienced artists and practitioners in the areas of electrics, props, scenic carpentry, sound, stage carpentry, wigs and make-up, wardrobe, design, stage management, production management, and technical direction.
All of the sets, props, and costumes for Frobisher will be created by theatre professionals mentoring work-study participants at The Banff Centre.
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