Opera Lyra brings classics of Italian stage to NAC.
Mezzo-soprano Wallis Giunta, a former resident of Old Ottawa South has returned to perform in Opera Lyra's production of Cavalleria rusticana.
Eddie Rwema
The 2011-2012 opera season in Ottawa begins with a bang as Opera Lyra brings its production of Pagliacci to the stage of the National Arts Centre this weekend.
Pagliacci tells the story of a famous clown who succumbs to jealousy and is one of the most well known tales in Italian opera.
The cast is a mix of renowned performers and young, up and coming talents from Ottawa.
“It is about time that Ottawa gets a taste of this kind of opera,” said baritone Gaetan Laperriere. “This is a very popular opera that makes people rediscover beautiful music.”
Wallis Giunta, a former resident of Old Ottawa South, has a feature role in the production, playing Lola in Cavalleria rusticana, the story of a woman who has married another man while her fiancé Turiddo is serving in the army.
Giunta begun her singing career here in Ottawa. She has since moved on to Toronto, but will soon be making a big career leap when she moves to New York to join the Metropolitan Opera.
She said performing in Ottawa is something she has been looking forward to.
“It has always been my goal to come back here, perform as a soloist and get to know Ottawa better,” said Giunta.
Garnering many positive reviews from opera critics, Giunta is enjoying a diverse and vibrant career. The 25-year-old mezzo soprano has been involved in music since she was five.
Giunta attributes her successes to growing up in Ottawa.
“I am happy to be here to reconnect with all these things that inspired me to become a musician in the first place,” said Giunta. “I am happy to come back as a professional.”
She said she is excited to perform for her home-town crowd and promised opera fans will be really impressed by the performances.
“People are going to be blown away by how moved they will be by these simple short stories,” said Giunta. “It’s going to really move people.”
Another Ottawa native who is part of the production is Jonathan Estabrooks who grew up in Ottawa and attended Ashbury College.
Estabrooks has made a name for himself across the world with appearances at the New York Festival of Song and with the Israel Chamber Orchestra.