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
Mezzo-soprano, Alyssa Epp serves as the Director of Operations for Abridged Opera. Past performance credits with Abridged Opera include the Monitress and Badessa (Suor Angelica), Miss Jessel (The Turn of the Screw), Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), Suzel (L’amico Fritz), Micaëla (Carmen), Marianne (Der Rosenkavalier), and the Sandman (Hansel and Gretel), as well as La Novizia (Suor Angelica) with Opera Niagara and covers of Musetta (La bohème), Micaëla (Carmen), and High Priestess (Aida) with the same company. In addition to on-stage roles, Alyssa has frequently played a role behind the curtain as well as Assistant Director for Opera Niagara’s Bohème and has acted as stage manager for a number of Abridged Opera’s productions including Cendrillon and the company’s 2017 production of The Turn of the Screw.
Brianna
DeSantis
Communications
Director
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
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