Expect Shrills and Thrills at VOX, Vancouver Opera’s Newest Fundraising Event

In the mood for a night full of music, drama, competition, and food? Vancouver Opera has you covered.

If you were to ask me what my dream job is, I’d be stuck between two options. The first would be as editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan. The second—and similarly unrealistic—would be to play Christine in The Phantom of the Opera on broadway. There’s just something about the emotion, drama, humanity, and theatrics that comes with opera that I find so appealing (I can hear my friends saying “Dramatic? Emotional? Yeah, that sounds perfect for you”).

Look, I get it. Lots of people (think that they) don’t like opera. But I’d also bet money that people who say they don’t like opera have never actually even been to one.

Who knows, though—maybe you’re an opera veteran. If that’s the case, you might love Vancouver Opera’s newest fundraising event, VOX, because it’s probably not like any other opera event you’ve been to. And if you’ve never experienced opera, this could just be your perfect introduction to it. Who doesn’t love a little friendly competition?

It’s a night of young singers fulfilling their dreams and the opportunity to vote on their favourite singer of the night—basically American Idol for sophisticates. On April 26, eight young opera singers from across Canada will compete for a grand cash prize in front of a panel of esteemed judges and a live audience. Although the final vote will come from the judges, the audience will also be invited to cast a vote for audience choice, and while the final tallies are being done, one of Canada’s leading opera singers, Erin Wall, will perform.

“We have an incredible line-up of young singers ready to share their talents with VOX judges and audience,” said Jonathan Darlington, Music Director Emeritus. “Many wonderful opera careers have been launched by taking part in musical competitions around the world. Our hope is this competition will assist in launching the career of an exemplary Canadian opera singer.”

Tickets for the competition and cocktail reception are $65/person. Or, for a more splurgy night out ($650/person, to be exact), guests can attend the competition as well as a gala dinner right on the Queen Elizabeth Theatre stage and live auction, with food provided by Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver and wine from Mission Hill Family Estate.

The Competitors:

Tenors: Lampron-Dandonneau (Quebec), Ryan Nauta (Quebec)
Baritones: Zainen Suzuki (Quebec, originally from B.C.)
Sopranos: Ana Toumine (Quebec), Shantelle Przybylo (Ontario), Elizabeth Harris (British Columbia)
Mezzos: Amanda Perera (Ontario), Sarah Bissonnette (Alberta).

The Event:

THE DEETS
April 26, 2019
Queen Elizabeth Theatre (649 Cambie St.)
5:30 PM Cocktail reception
6:30 PM Live competition
Get tickets here or from 604-683-0222