Abridged Opera
About Us
About Us
Our Mission
Abridged Opera aims to condense operatic works without compromising the opera’s integrity; in other words, to provide the essentials of opera – simply.
Electrifying Performances
We use our voices to directly connect with the audience, without amplification.
The industry’s Finest talent
Our highly trained singers are sought after in and around the southwestern Ontario corridor.
Accessible for all
We program a variety of languages in our operas. If not in English, we provide surtitles or a narrator.
Support the Arts
Opera combines all of the art forms: music, dance, visual art, and more. As such, it is imperative that we rely on the support of generous patrons.
It’s abridged!
We aim to keep all of our productions under two hours or less.
Our Story
Abridged Opera aims to condense operatic works without compromising the opera’s integrity; in other words, to provide the essentials of opera – simply. As Windsor’s only professional opera company, we connect Windsor/Essex with exciting, educational, and professional productions that encourage a wide and varied audience breaking the “elitist” barrier often associated with the art form.
Since its inception in 2014, Abridged Opera has presented twenty full-scale productions and fifteen concerts. Of these, the most notable include our productions of The Turn of the Screw and Cendrillon at local heritage site, Willistead Manor, as well as Don Giovanni at the local heritage theatre. These productions featured the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Assistant Conductor, Daniel Wiley. Other community partners include Kordazone Theatre, the University of Windsor School of Creative Arts, Wagner Orchards and Estate Winery, Pelee Island Winery, and several local churches.
In addition to providing opportunities for local professional singers, Abridged Opera strongly believes in fostering a love of singing and opera in the next generation. We aim to include talented young singers in as many of our productions as possible without compromising our professional artistic integrity.
The work Abridged Opera is doing in this region is imperative as Toronto, a four hour drive away, is the closest opportunity for locals to hear this art form live in Canada.
WHO WE ARE
STAFF
Erin
Armstrong
Executive
Director
Alyssa
Epp
Operations
Director
Brianna
DeSantis
Communications
Director
EXPERIENCE HIGH-ART
Why Support Us
When you hear the term opera, the mental picture conjured is of boring Brunhildas hollering in foreign languages. That is NOT Abridged Opera. Abridged Opera is just that, abridged, with all the boring stuff edited out, leaving you with highly entertaining musical storytelling performed by top-rate singer/actors and, best of all, they’re local. There are often subtitles and a narrator to help move the story along, and, much of the music might sound vaguely familiar, especially for fans of Bugs Bunny. Mel Blanc used a lot of opera in his bunny tales. If you haven’t been to an Abridged Opera performance yet, give it a try. I guarantee you’ll be blown away.
– Lisa P.
Inspiring, thrilling, and entrancing are words that only begin to describe the works of Abridged Opera. Through dedicated artists and timeless pieces, Abridged Opera fills a gap in the community for the performing arts. The cast and crew always succeed at giving audience members an appreciation for music and a sense of belonging. If you are looking for a new lease on life, look no further than Abridged Opera.
Abigail W.
Abridged
Opera
Storytelling through Music
about Us
As Windsor-Essex's premiere opera company, our mission is to connect the community with exciting, educational, and professional productions that cater to a wide and varied audience.
Events
Buon Natale, A Christmas Concert