Grammy Award-winning baritone Gino Quilico bring his newest project, Great Voices of Canada to the UVic Farquhar Auditorium on March 25, accompanied by Victoria pianist Robert Holliston and a guest soprano.
Quilico combines audio and video clips, personal reminiscences and fine singing to tell the stories of magnificent Canadian singers whose careers promoted Canada’s talents on the international opera stage.
The evening presents an evening of memories, capturing personal and professional stories of Canada’s influential operatic greats. They range from Edward Johnson, who became general manager of the Metropolitan Opera in May 1935 and held the position for 15 years, to Pierrette Alarie and Léopold Simoneau (known worldwide as Mr. and Mrs. Mozart).
Quilico also pays tribute to Canadian opera legends like Raoul Jobin, Portia White (considered the first Black Canadian opera singer), André Turp and Pauline Donalda (founder of the Opera Guild in Montreal and creator of the role of Concepcion in Maurice Ravel’s opera L’heure espagnole!).
The stories featuring Richard Verreau, one of the most celebrated tenors of his time; Maureen Forrester, Jon Vickers, Louis Quilico (Gino’s father), Joseph Rouleau and Teresa Stratas should prove especially poignant and personal, given that Gino Quilico has performed with all of them.
Having enjoyed a tremendous career himself, Quilico honours these legendary singers; the great voices of Canada who have been instrumental in building our country’s enviable reputation as leader in innovation and excellence in the operatic form.
Victoria’s own Holliston studied at the Victoria Conservatory of Music and the University of British Columbia. He has performed throughout Canada, the U.S., England and New Zealand and is frequently heard on CBC Radio. Holliston often collaborates with many of Canada’s leading singers including Richard Margison, Benjamin Butterfield, Judith Forst, Nathalie Paulin, Susan Platts, Peter Barcza and many more.
He is also Pacific Opera’s Principal Coach, Head of Keyboard at the Victoria Conservatory of Music and the founding director of the Conservatory’s Opera Studio.
Tickets for Great Voices of Canada are available at tickets.uvic.ca
editor@mondaymag.com