When the final note of Manitoba Opera’s first production was sung in March 1973, the audience demanded more—much more.

The Puccini classic Lady Butterfly staged at the Centennial Concert Hall was “of a standard one would expect to hear in Paris, New York or Edinburgh”, wrote the Winnipeg Grandstandwhile the sets “evoked the delicacy of Japanese paintings”.

Attendees barely let the company go: they brought the performers back on stage for a grand total of 10 encores.

Half a century later, Manitoba Opera general manager and CEO Larry Desrochers hopes the local arts institution’s 50th season will be received just as graciously by local aria-loving audiences.

They haven’t had much to listen to in person in recent years: Opera went virtual when the pandemic first hit, to great acclaim, with thousands tuning in to the lineup both traditional (The Winnipeg Sopranos were “attended” by 2,100 customers) and ready-made (Al Simmons’ take on Barber of Seville has been liked more than 3,000 times). But aside from a few smaller-scale shows, viewers didn’t need opera glasses to watch the action.

That was then. If all goes as planned when the season begins in the fall with production of The Cenerentola, the Cinderella story as imagined by Rossini, as well as a 50th anniversary concert in February, the crowd will be there in person, says Desrochers. That’s how it should be.

“We are a live art form and experience,” says Desrochers, who is entering his 23rd season at the helm. “We and the artists thrive on a live audience. To have that energy in the room, coupled with the unamplified operatic voice and the richness of the orchestra. It’s not the same if it’s done in line.”

Tracy Dahl is a voice thrilled to be heard in person again. Hailed as the nation’s first coloratura soprano, Dahl will play the comedic role of Despina in Cosi Fan Tutte, alongside baritone David Watson as Don Alfonso. Both singers hail from Winnipeg and will both be celebrating the 40th anniversary of their first performances with Manitoba Opera – a remarkable career in any career, let alone one that depends on the longevity of the vocal cords.

Faced with the realization, four decades have passed since her professional debut at the Opera in 1982 Marriage of FigaroDahl finds it hard to believe.

Now a nationally and internationally renowned performer, Dahl was then a rookie in every sense of the word: coming from a musical theater background, she arrived at the first rehearsal with almost no preparation. “It became clear that everyone was off the book,” she says. “At the opera, you arrive and you already know it.”

“Thank God it was in English,” she laughs. “If it had been in Italian, I would have been sunk.”

But as the fledgling opera had done a decade earlier, Dahl found her groove and reveled in the opportunity to perform in front of audiences and with respected colleagues, her voice floating and racing above the rich sounds of a full orchestra.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Dahl celebrates 40 years with Manitoba Opera.

In her role as Despina, Dahl says she will lean into her comedic sensibility. “It’s a fun role, and most people in Winnipeg have only seen me play tragic roles,” she says.

The lightness and joy in opera are things Desrochers looks forward to sharing with long-time enthusiasts and newcomers to this art form, which continues to evolve to meet modern expectations and times; rather than in Europe, Cosi Fan Tutti will be transplanted to a Canadian resort, where two Italian women fall in love with a pair of young RCMP cadets in training. Meanwhile, new voices — including Winnipeg’s Lizzy Hoyt, who plays the title role in Cenerentola — continue to join those established to create a compelling bridge between the past 50 years and the next 50.

As the excitement builds ahead of the season, Desrochers is also pleased that the opera is in the strongest financial position in its history, debt-free and with a strong balance sheet. Still, the pandemic has dealt the organization a blow that could take another two years to recover. Lots of butts in the seats would help.

Despite all her experience, Dahl says she still has the nerves with months before starting rehearsals. “But you have to make an adrenaline friend,” she says.

And it helps that she’s played the role of Despina many times before, so she won’t show up completely off guard like she did during that first rehearsal in 1982.

“It’s so ingrained in me,” she says. “I could sing it to you now if you ask me.”

ben.waldman@winnipegfreepress.com

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