It may be chilly outside, but that never slows Toronto down. There is entertainment aplenty, including the new winter line-up at the Canadian Opera Company (COC) – and, don’t worry, they’ve got you covered when it comes to special pricing and ways to help you follow along with every note!
The COC’s winter season is all about culturally significant stories, including the worldwide favourite, Madama Butterfly, and a brand new original, La Reine-garçon, both showing at Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.
Despite what you might think, the COC has no dress code, meaning guests are encouraged to wear whatever they feel comfortable in. Choose jeans and a sweater for maximum coziness and comfort or make it an occasion and sport the fanciest outfit that’s been sitting in your closet, everyone is welcome to enjoy this unique and enriching cultural experience however you want to experience it.
In addition, the COC offers a range of accessibility features including SURTITLES™, similar to subtitles, displayed above the stage, which were invented by the company in 1983 and have since been adopted by opera houses around the world.
Madama Butterfly, by Giacomo Puccini, opens the winter season and runs from Jan. 24 to Feb. 16, 2025.
The story follows a young Japanese woman patiently awaiting the return of her husband from war, but whose eventual arrival prompts heartbreaking tragedy.
The COC’s rendition of this immensely popular story is fronted by soprano Eri Nakamura, who stars as Butterfly, alongside tenor Kang Wang, who portrays U.S. officer Pinkerton. Meanwhile, Keri-Lynn Wilson conducts a score known and loved for its unmatched beauty.
The second featured production this winter is La Reine-garçon, by Julien Bilodeau and Michel Marc Bouchard, running from Jan. 31 to Feb. 15, 2025.
This opera is the first-ever co-commission between the Canadian Opera Company and Opéra de Montréal and is based on the real life story of the audacious and rebellious Queen Christine of Sweden, who was raised as a boy by her father.
Keen to defy societal expectations, she left the royal courts to lead a life guided by famed philosopher and scientist René Descartes.
Described as a “boundary pushing opera” that is testament to female empowerment, this show marks a significant new chapter in operatic storytelling. Bolstered by a Game of Thrones style aesthetic and helmed by sopranos Kirsten MacKinnon and Kirsten LeBlanc, who star as the Swedish queen, this truly original opera moves away from conventional stylings and taps into a theme that remains entirely relevant today: the importance of staying true to yourself.
Discover the magic of live opera with the Canadian Opera Company this winter by experiencing Puccini’s heart-wrenching Madama Butterfly or the empowering La Reine-garçon. Book your tickets now with code NOWCOC15 for 15% off tickets. Learn more at coc.ca.
