Edmonton Opera

Congratulations to Gordon Gerrard on his appointment as the next Artistic Director of Manitoba Opera.

A proud Manitoban, Gordon described the appointment as a “full-circle moment,” returning to the company where he first discovered opera as a young audience member.

We’re delighted to celebrate this exciting news and look forward to welcoming Gordon to Edmonton this November as conductor of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville.

💈✂️ edmontonopera.com/barber-of-seville

Join us in congratulating Gordon on this exciting new chapter.

Photo: Chris Graham

Four Sterling Award nominations.

For many artists, working on Wagner’s Ring Cycle is the opportunity of a lifetime. For Edmonton Opera, it has become one of the most ambitious artistic journeys in our history.

Die Walküre brought together an extraordinary group of performers, musicians, designers, technicians, craftspeople, stage managers, administrators, volunteers, and supporters.

From the first concept sketches and workshop builds to the final curtain call, every person left their mark on this production.

To see that work recognized with four nominations from The Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Awards is a tremendous honour.

Congratulations to Andy Moro, Hannah Crawford, and the entire Die Walküre company.

Thank you for helping us bring this story to life. This moment belongs to all of you. ❤️

Photos: Nanc Price Photography, Edmonton Opera | Megan Kumpula, Sydney Reid

The first word you see describes your Opera Al Fresco experience. 🌿👀

What did you spot first?

Drop it in the comments and tag the friend you’re bringing to the garden this summer.

Opera Al Fresco returns August 26 at the University of Alberta Botanic Garden for an evening of music under the open sky.

For the past few seasons, Madison Berger and Grayson Mackenzie have been familiar faces in the Edmonton Opera chorus.

They’ve helped bring productions to life, filled concert halls with sound, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow artists, and become part of the community that makes opera happen.

Today, both crossed the stage at the University of Alberta, graduating from the Bachelor of Music program.

Grayson will continue his studies by pursuing a Master of Music, while Madison joins Edmonton Opera this summer as our Box Office Assistant through the Canada Summer Jobs program.

Before summer gives way to new opportunities, you’ll have one more chance to see them perform together.

Join us for Opera Al Fresco on August 26 at the , where Madison and Grayson will perform alongside fellow Edmonton Opera chorus members and featured soloists in an evening of music under the open sky, led by Chorus Director Shannon Hiebert, who has guided and mentored them throughout their studies at the .

Congratulations, Madison and Grayson. Thank you for sharing your talent, dedication, and artistry with our community. We can’t wait to see where your journeys take you next.

Help us celebrate their achievement and wish them well in the comments below. 🎓

Photos: .hernandez

University of Alberta Bachelor of Music | University of Alberta music program | Edmonton Opera chorus | Opera Al Fresco | Edmonton arts community | classical music Edmonton | University of Alberta Botanic Garden | Edmonton live music | Alberta opera | vocal performance | young artists | Edmonton cultural event

Three seasons. Countless rehearsals. Thousands of pages of music. Hundreds of artists, musicians, choristers, and audience members brought together through a shared love of storytelling.

As Simon Rivard’s time as Music Director comes to a close, we’ve been reflecting on the moments that happened between the performances: the first downbeat, the quiet concentration before a rehearsal begins, the trust built between musicians, and the worlds created together through music.

These photos capture only a small part of that journey.

Thank you, Simon, for your artistry, leadership, generosity, and the care you’ve brought to every production, rehearsal room, and collaboration along the way.

Your impact will continue to be felt in the music, the artists you’ve mentored, and the community you’ve helped shape.

We wish you all the best in the next chapter.

Photos: Nanc Price Photography | Edmonton Opera

Some moments from the photo booth. Some memories from Siegfried.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this journey. Whether it was your first opera or your latest visit, you helped make each performance feel alive.

If you stopped by the photo booth, see if you can spot yourself in the album.

Tag your friends, share your favourite photos, and if you snapped any pictures during your visit, we'd love to see them in the comments.

Thank you for being part of the story.

Dragons. Gods. A sleeping Valkyrie. A hero searching for freedom.

The final curtain has fallen, but these moments remain.

Explore production photos by Nanc Price Photography from Edmonton Opera's 2026 production of Siegfried, capturing a world of myth, destiny, and transformation brought to life in the Maclab Theatre at Citadel Theatre.

View the full album.