The Canadian Opera Company is pleased to announce that for the first time in almost 20 years, the COC’s mainstage season will be broadcast across Canada. The COC has reached an agreement with the artists of the company and the various unions and associations to record all seven operas in its 2009/10 season, and the COC will produce all seven broadcasts.
In conjunction with its Broadcast Partner, CBC Radio 2, each opera in the COC’s 2009/10 season will be aired twice nationally on CBC Radio 2 and Radio-Canada’s Espace Musique, and the broadcasts of COC recordings also will be available for internet streaming on both the Canadian Opera Company website, coc.ca, and on CBC Concerts on Demand, cbc.ca/radio2, for a period of 12 months after the initial streaming date.
This new agreement greatly increases the COC’s presence on Canadian airwaves and enables the company’s entire season to be heard by Canadians from coast to coast.
As the producer of these recordings the COC will seek other means of extending the reach of its artistic output into new media platforms such as CDs, DVDs and cinecasts, as well as select National Public Radio stations in the United States.
“Extending the COC’s reach to areas of the country not presently served by opera is one of my main goals at the Canadian Opera Company. The COC has been so successful in getting people into the opera house, that now it’s time for us to go to those who can’t come to us,” says Alexander Neef, General Director. “I couldn’t be more pleased that CBC Radio 2 has agreed to be our broadcast partner, and I am equally grateful to the artists who agreed to join in this venture with us. Together we can show the world what we’ve known all along – Canadian opera is strong and vital and Canadian artists are among the best in the world.”
The COC’s Madama Butterfly will air on CBC Radio 2’s Saturday Afternoon at the Opera on November 28, 2009; The Nightingale and Other Short Fables will air on December 5, 2009. Concerts on Demand and future broadcast dates are yet to be confirmed.
The Canadian Opera Company would like to thank the artists of the company and their representatives: the American Federation of Musicians, Canada; Canadian Actors’ Equity Association; Association of Canadian Television and Radio Artists; and, the Toronto Musicians’ Association.
The Canadian Opera Company would also like to thank Mark Steinmetz, Director, CBC Radio Music, and Neil Crory, Senior Music Producer, CBC Radio, for their support and co-operation in creating this new arrangement to present the Canadian Opera Company to a wider audience.
Broadcast Sponsor: CBC Radio 2
About the Canadian Opera Company
Based in Toronto, the Canadian Opera Company is the largest producer of opera in Canada and fifth largest in North America, and celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2009/10. Under its new leadership of General Director Alexander Neef and Music Director Johannes Debus, the COC continues its international reputation for artistic excellence and creative innovation.
