Thanks to the Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre for the use of their lounge for our special Heritage Salon Social with baritone Yuhui Wang. Dr. Wang presented a selection of Chinese art songs discussing the history and poetry of each piece before singing them. After the performance half of the Salon Social, we took a break for snacks and tea then gathered again for a Q & A with our guest singer. Dr. Wang discussed and gave tips on vocal technique, talked about his singing experiences and training here and in China, performing opera, singing in Chinese, and career options for opera singers.
Saturday, July 16th at 3pm in Oak Park Special Multiple-Singer Salon Social (concert & chat) Songs from Korea, Ukraine, Mexico, Philippines, and China! Free! Featuring: Catherine Thornsley, soprano Dae Hyun Justin Cho, tenor Alyssa Samson, mezzo-soprano Taryn Plater, mezzo-soprano Roger Parton, piano Also featuring singers from our Community Opera Chorus Bring a chair/blanket or email to reserve a chair from us: operaopulenza@gmail.com Outside in the park, weather permitting – 7575 Fremlin St, Vancouver
If it’s raining again, I will announce an indoor venue.
Wednesdays, July 6, 13, 20, 27 at 2pm-3pm in Connaught Park
Breathe, Move, Sing Workshops for Seniors with Trudy Chalmers
Light singing, humming, speaking, breathing, relaxation, movement, vocal exploration, vocal games. Connect with your body and breath, gain confidence, and have fun.
Free!
Connaught Park, 2390 West 10th Ave, Vancouver in Kitsilano
Soprano Sodam Lee and pianist Roger Parton performed a selection of opera arias and one Korean art song for the seniors luncheon group at the community centre. Sodam sang from a distance and from behind plexiglass. She gave a description of each piece and after the concert stayed to answer questions from the group about opera singing and how she got into this profession.
Sodam Lee singing behind plexiglassSoprano Sodam Lee and pianist Roger Parton Soprano Sodam Lee singing for the seniors at Marpole/Oakridge Community Centre.
Throughout COVID the Community Opera Chorus has been rehearsing online via Zoom, outside the fieldhouse at Oak Park, and inside the church and hall of St. Augustines Anglican Church in Marpole. They have also been attending online singing lessons and masterclasses as well as storytelling sessions. To help the singers through this isolating time, music director Roger Parton has been recording each vocal line for them to listen and practice to at home and artistic director Trudy Chalmers has been helping by recording the pronunciation of the words. We sang rain or shine, shaded by the big walnut trees next to the fieldhouse.
Soprano rehearsal Feb 9, 2021Rehearsal via Zoom June, 2021Online rehearsalRehearsal outside at Oak Park in the shade.Rehearsing for the Opera Gala outside the fieldhouse at Oak Park in the rain, Sept 2021.Singing in the rain!
“It has been a wonderful and fruitful year for Katie and I to participate in the Community Chorus by Opera Opulenza in the Fieldhouse. This is perhaps the best course we ever taken since our retirement. We have learned not only how to sing, but also the technique of breathing and how to relax. We must thank you and Roger for your dedications and professionalism in your teaching. You took such patience and care to teach and coach us the beginners. Your excellent teaching deserved a 5 star ovation.” K. Cheung
“It is almost a year since attending the Community Opera Chorus program. I would like to express my deep appreciations in the following comments.
this program offers good opportunity to meet people of like minds
with the hard work by both of you, I learn a lot about music & able to have better appreciation for opera
it is very enjoyable and is a class I try not to miss The additional activities organized are all well done. I & friends love the Salon Social arrangements and enjoy all parts of it – performers are great and good selection of fine refreshments. Learn a lot about opera & lives of people in this field. I brought friends to the Rigoletto Read-through which was a fun evening. After the hard work by all, the chorus group shine. Of course, all the singers did wonderfully. All summarized, I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from you. Thank you for all your hard work and organization of all events & activities. Best Regards,” Agnes & Tom
As COVID restrictions eased once again, Kitsilano Neighbourhood House invited us to sing at their seniors Christmas lunch. Soprano Catherine Thornsley, mezzo-soprano Alyssa Samson and pianist Roger Parton sang a selection of Christmas carols, opera arias and duets. Alyssa also sang a Filipino carol similar to silent night: Payapang Daigdig (Peaceful World).
Members of the seniors lunch program remarked how much they enjoyed the show and the beautiful voices. One said how the songs brought back memories and really touched her and her friend since they were both widows and have been feeling lonely throughout the COVID isolation.
Soprano Catherine Thornsley, tenor Dae Hyun Justin Cho, and accompanist Roger Parton performed short popup mini concerts at Oak Park, the Arbutus Greenway at 57th Ave, and Memorial West Park.
Marpole Neighbourhood House BBQ – August 27
Popup concert at Marpole Neighbourhood House BBQ and reopening after eased COVID restrictions.
Photo by Diamond’s Edge PhotographyJulie Duerichen, Alyssa Samson, & Roger Parton perform for audience at the Marpole Neighbourhood House – photo by Diamond’s Edge Photography
Please join us at the Marpole Neighbourhood House BBQ with soprano Julie Duerichen and mezzo-soprano Alyssa Nicole Samson, with accompaniment by Roger Parton.
Free admission
Friday, August 27th
Time: BBQ and activities from 3pm-6pm, Opera Opulenza at 4:30pm
8585 Hudson Street at W 70th Ave, Vancouver
Student Popup Recital – August 21
Tenor Wassym Zaz sang his first opera recital in Vancouver outside the fieldhouse at Oak Park.
Wassym Zaz, tenor
Free admission
Saturday, August 21st
Time: 12:30pm (weather permitting)
Oak Park – 7575 Fremlin St, Vancouver
Popup mini concert with soprano Shadan Saul – July 3, 2021 at Oak Park
Opera Lirica 