Opera Nova Scotia - Background

Background

Our Mission

"Opera Nova Scotia exists to promote the art of opera in Nova Scotia."

The mandate of Opera Nova Scotia is:

to present opera productions of the highest possible quality, fostering principally musical and theatrical talent
either native to or trained in the province

to give to our communities, through touring events, the inspiration and enjoyment provided by the operatic experience

to enrich the awareness and knowledge of opera in young people by developing educational performance
packages within the schools system

Opera Nova Scotia (ONS) was co-founded in 2000 by Jason Parkhill and John Rapson under the name, Nova Scotia Opera Association. John Rapson served as its Music Director, and Jason Parkhill served as its Artistic and Managing Director. ONS was established initially as the "Opera Department of the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts (MCPA)," and has since expanded into its own entity, although the two organizations still maintain a very close relationship. ONS was formally incorporated as a 'not-for-profit' Association with the Government of Nova Scotia in May of 2000 and received formal charitable tax status with Canada Customs and Revenue Agency in October of that year.

To fulfill our mandate, ONS mounts performances yearly that inspire and educate the public, using the art of opera. By drawing together the best singers and orchestral players from our community, faculty, and students, we educate by example, as well as provide performance opportunities for Nova Scotia singers, and demonstrate the potential benefits to and relevance of the art form for this community. ONS continues to recruit singers and prominent figures from the musical community into our organization.

ONS continues to develop both infrastructure and relationships with other organizations in the province. Through our co-operative efforts with organizations like the St. Cecelia Concert Series, Nova Sinfonia, the Nova Scotia Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Dartmouth Players, the Maritime Concert Opera, the Nova Scotia Choral Federation, Theatre Arts Guild, Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts, the Dalhousie Opera Department, Symphony Nova Scotia and the Italian Canadian Cultural Association, we believe that our presence and goodwill are also being established within the local and provincial arts communities.

Over 3000 individuals saw our performances in just the first four years! We have a loyal and active membership of 200+ people and we would like everyone with an interest in seeing opera thrive in Nova Scotia to take part in the operation of ONS. We are cultivating an opera community that includes passionate believers in the wonder of opera, and those who support it as a cultural enhancement to the larger community. In 2004 we mounted Verdi's Falstaff, our first fully staged opera, and the first to be locally produced in Halifax in thirty years. The sell out crowds we attracted at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Dalhousie Arts Centre, proved to us that there is a market for opera in Halifax, and that there was a void to be filled with professional-level productions.

We have a great season of programming lined up and we look forward to working with our volunteers to expand upon our mandate.