VOX is Vancouver Opera’s Inaugural Vocal Competition

The Vancouver Opera Festival season is kicking off on a high note with the inaugural VOX vocal competition. The next generation of Canadian opera stars will compete at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on April 26th, ahead of the festival program which runs April 27 to May 5, 2019.

VOX Vocal Competition

Following a national audition, eight gifted opera singers from across the country have been pre-selected to perform during this evening fundraiser in support of young artists and Vancouver Opera. They’ll compete live in front of six esteemed judges including Judith Forst, Leslie Dala, Jonathan Darlington, Kim Gaynor, Roberto Mauro, and J. Patrick Raftery. The contestants will be vying for cash prizes and the audience will be invited to cast their vote for audience choice.

While the judges deliberate Canada’s leading opera sensation Erin Wall, who is acclaimed for her musicality and versatility, will perform for the VOX audience.

“This new initiative is yet another way Vancouver Opera invests in young artists,” says Kim Gaynor, Vancouver Opera General Director. “This is an exciting opportunity for these young performers to have their opera careers propelled to the next level. The cash prize could provide the winner with the opportunity to fund international auditions.”

VOX is this season’s unmissable event for everyone who is interested in discovering great new voices and experiencing the excitement of a live competition. VOX contestants hail from across Canada with:

• Tenors Lampron-Dandonneau (Quebec), Ryan Nauta (Quebec)
• Baritone Zainen Suzuki (Quebec, originally from Burnaby)
• Sopranos Ana Toumine (Quebec), Shantelle Przybylo (Ontario), Elizabeth Harris (BC)
• Mezzos Amanda Perera (Ontario), Sarah Bissonnette (Alberta).

The evening begins with a 5:30pm cocktail reception followed by the live competition at 6:30pm. Tickets for VOX are $65 and available online or by phone (604) 683-0222.

Rossini’s much-loved La Cenerentola (Cinderella) will then open the third annual Vancouver Opera Festival on April 27th at 2:00pm matinee at the Vancouver Playhouse. For more information about VOX and the festival performances, follow the Vancouver Opera #VOfest on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.