We could almost feel the crisp fall air today in the midst of our excitement, when the theme of The Canadian Opera Company’s 9th annual Operanation was announced. There is nothing sweeter than revenge, and this year’s Operanation 9: Sweet Revenge promises to offer it, filled with elaborate and mysterious dress, masquerade, decadent cuisine, cocktails and, of course, champagne. In an effort to explore opera’s inherent sensuality and drama, the specially curated celebration of musical and visual arts pays homage to the COC’s fall production of Johann Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus, a comedic operetta rich with themes of elaborate revenge, disguises, mistaken identity, champagne and seduction.
Operanation offers the fusion of a shamelessly elegant gala, artistic exploration and entertainment, an alluring combination for Toronto young professionals. On October 18, 2012, the 9th annual event will fill three levels of the floor-to-ceiling glass walls of Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts with 1,000 decked-out and ready-to-party YPs for the party of the fall charity circuit season.
Equal parts party and performance, Operanation features collaborations between classic and modern music and complementary art forms – from visual arts to fashion. A highlight includes a performance featuring rising young opera stars from the COC’s Ensemble Studio in collaboration with a to-be-announced contemporary musical artist. Past Operanations have include opera performances that venture far from rigid, with musical mashups between the COC Ensemble Studio and the likes of indie-rock band Broken Social Scene, dance-pop group Austra and acclaimed singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright.
Operanation marks another initiative of our city to make the arts more attainable and celebrated among the young professional set, especially those realms historically reserved for the older generation and with stuffy stigmas, like ballet and opera. “Operanation is a celebration of music and art in all its forms. It takes a particularly fresh approach to changing opinions about the traditional notions of opera by showing how opera crosses over and connects with all musical genres as well as various artistic styles,” says COC General Director Alexander Neef. “The growth of this event over the last nine years is a mark of the COC’s commitment to foster a love of the art form in the next generation of opera-goers.”
Established in 2005, Operanation is the Canadian Opera Company’s premier fundraising event. The annual fundraiser raises over $100,000 a year for the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio, Canada’s premier training program for young opera professionals.
Be bold, daring and mysterious with your outfit choices, part of the fun of Operanation is its emphasis on the impact of fashion as an art form. Furthering the importance of fashion, this year’s Operanation campaign creative was shot by seasoned fashion photographer Mario Miotti and embraces an editorial style, showcasing pieces from top designers Tom Binns, J. Mendel, and Sergio Rossi.
Operanation 9: Sweet Revenge party tickets are available for $150 per person at operanation.ca or by calling COC Ticket Services at416-363-8231. Early Bird tickets are now on sale with the first 125 tickets available for $125 per person.