Toronto's New Opera House is Stage for First Canadian Production of Wagner's Ring Cycle

Toronto's New Opera House is Stage for First Canadian Production of Wagner's Ring Cycle

"Better than any other Ring Cycle that comes to mind" - Opera Magazine

"Richard Bradshaw... a Wagner conductor who knows what he is doing" - New York Times

"Richard Bradshaw and the COC orchestra gave a richer, more beautiful performance of this work than it would have been possible to imagine" - Globe and Mail

TORONTO, June 5 /PRNewswire/ -- In an historical coincidence worthy of Richard Wagner himself, the Canadian Opera Company (COC) has built the country's first true opera house, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, and presents the country's first production of Wagner's colossal tetralogy, the Ring Cycle.

To mark its inaugural season in the Four Seasons Centre, the COC is proud to present Wagner's epic Ring Cycle in September 2006. Three complete cycles of this monumental opera will be the first production in Canada's new opera house.

An extraordinary team of visionary talents has been assembled to re-imagine Wagner's masterpiece. COC General Director Richard Bradshaw conducts all three cycles. Illustrious Canadian designer Michael Levine is the production designer of the Ring Cycle and also makes his directorial debut with Das Rheingold. Internationally acclaimed filmmakers Atom Egoyan (Exotica, The Sweet Hereafter) and Francois Girard (The Red Violin, Thirty-two Short Films About Glenn Gould) direct Die Walkure and Siegfried respectively. Esteemed theatre and opera director Tim Albery directs Gotterdammerung. David Finn is the lighting designer. The cast includes world-renowned singers Christian Franz, Adrianne Pieczonka, Frances Ginzer, Susan Bullock, and Clifton Forbis.

To date, the COC's Ring Cycle is over 85% sold. For performance dates, casting, and tickets, visit www.ringcycle.ca. To purchase tickets, contact COC Ticket Services at 416-363-8231 (International), 1-800-250-4653 (North America)

The Four Seasons Centre is designed by award-winning Toronto-based firm Diamond and Schmitt Architects Inc. Inaugural Celebrations take place throughout June 2006. For additional information and images, visit www.coc.ca.

Presenting Sponsor of the Ring Cycle: Kolter Communities

The Ring Cycle has been financially assisted by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Culture, administered by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Corporation.

Ring Cycle Sponsor: BMO Financial Group

Ring Cycle Memory Sponsor: Canon Canada

Source: Canadian Opera Company

CONTACT: Nisha Lewis, (416) 306-2395, nishal@coc.ca

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