Opera Hamilton began its 30th anniversary season this weekend with a production of Johann Strauss’s fun and flighty Die Fledermaus. A rather silly tale of a stale marriage enlivened by flirtation, with a social-climbing chambermaid, a strange Russian prince and a revenge-seeking friend, it’s full of recognizable music that gets the audience swaying and tapping feet. And with Strauss, there has to be a wonderful waltz at a ball.
Performed in the beautiful, impressive Great Hall of Hamilton Place, Opera Hamilton’s work is proof that you don’t have to struggle with Toronto in order to enjoy first-rate entertainment.
Opera Hamilton was also just the recipient of a $140,000 grant from The Ontario Trillium Foundation. “Popera Plus” in late January and La Bohème in April are the next scheduled works in the Opera Hamilton season. Are you a fan of opera or Hamilton Place? Do you prefer local entertainment or do you love the excitement of Toronto?
3 Comments
Congratulations to Opera Hamilton for 30 years of presenting opera! Not an easy achievement I’m sure. Kitchener-Waterloo has a fledgling opera company (first season last year), born after the demise of Opera Ontario. I do believe in supporting local companies such as these.
However, I must say that I am thrilled to be able to attend the Robert Lepage production of The Nightingale at the COC in Toronto this coming week. This may be a once-in-a lifetime experience that is less likely to be produced in an outlying district such a Hamilton, but you never know!
Budget tip: Opera Hamilton’s cheapest regular tickets are $40 while Canadian Opera Company tickets are $62. So you can save quite a bit! think of it: for a couple you’re saving $44 total. NOt bad. And the quality of performance is equal.
Opera Kitchener’s top price is $40, seniors and students are $30 –> orchestra , chorus, sets, costumes and top soloists! WOW their performance was at a discount price for a first rate show last weekend.(Jan. 3rd)
For a fledgling company, they are sure flying strong!
We want more!