Upcoming Events
⯇April 20, 2024 | April 27, 2024▼
HARMONIES BETWEEN CONTINENTS
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Experience an evening of unparalleled vocal brilliance! Acclaimed Bulgarian Bass-Baritone Geo Chobanov, renowned for his magnificent voice, joins forces with rising star Alexa Frankian. Together, they promise to mesmerize you with their powerful performance, under the direction of esteemed Canadian Maestro Sabatino Vacca. Indulge in the unforgettable magic of opera!
Tickets $35
Purchase by etransfer to [email protected] or via PayPal/Credit Card at the link below.
No physical tickets will be sent – You will be checked in at the door.
ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES
Maestro Sabatino Vacca, Music Director
Experience the Mastery of Musical Leadership
Sabatino Vacca is the Founder, Artistic Director, and Chorus Master of the newly formed Southern Ontario Lyric Opera (SOLO). He has been the Music Director of the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra (CSO) since 2007, and helped found the Milton Philharmonic Orchestra in 2014. Sabatino led the Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra as Music Director from 2010 to 2017. SOLO debuted in concert in 2015, and followed with productions of La Traviata, Tosca, La Bohème, Pagliacci, Gianni Schicchi, Rigoletto, Don Giovanni, Le Nozze di Figaro, and in concert with world-renowned Canadian Soprano Adrianne Pieczonka, and Measha Brueggergosman-Lee.The CSO led by Sabatino has accompanied Ben Heppner, Richard Margison, Gary Relyea, and others in concert. He conducted an all-Tchaikovsky programme at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto. Sabatino has also conducted orchestras in the Czech Republic, Symphony Hamilton, the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony, the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra, the Brampton Symphony Orchestra, the Rose Orchestra, and the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Orchestra. Last season he conducted a Proms programme for the Niagara Music Festival. For Opera York he served as Artistic Director from 2004 to 2016. He was on staff with Opera Hamilton and has worked as an opera coach for the University of Toronto, Laurier University, as well as the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Sabatino is the recipient of the Spirit of Ontario Award for the Arts by the National Congress of Italian Canadians. He was recently inducted into the Alumni Gallery at McMaster University.
Geo Chobanov, Bass-Baritone
A Voice with Unparalleled Depth, Richness, and Clarity
Discover the Power of Bulgaria’s Foremost Bass
Celebrated as one of Bulgaria’s finest contemporary Basses, Chobanov commands the stage with profound artistry and compelling presence. With over a decade as a soloist at Varna’s State Opera, he brings to life a diverse repertoire, boasting over 40 significant bass roles. In the 2023-24 season alone, he showcased his artistry in an array of roles, including the titular Don Pasquale in G. Donizetti’s comic masterpiece, the formidable Pistola in G. Verdi’s “Falstaff,” and the poignant portrayal of Banco in “Macbeth.”
Upcoming highlights in his career include the role of Coline in G. Puccini’s “La Boheme,” alongside the esteemed soprano Krassimira Stoyanova of the Vienna State Opera. Throughout his illustrious artistic journey, Chobanov has captivated audiences across Europe, gracing the stages of Italy, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, and beyond. His Canadian debut in 2023 in the gala-concert “The Magic of Bulgarian Voices” further solidified his international acclaim.
Alexa Frankian, Soprano
A Voice of Depth and Diversity: Embark on a Journey with a Rising Star
At just 23 years old, Alexa Frankian emerges as a luminous presence in the world of opera and art song. Hailed as “abundantly talented” by Opera Canada, Frankian’s performances resonate with warmth and depth, captivating audiences with her innate ability to connect. As she prepares to join the prestigious Merola Opera Program in San Francisco, Alexa’s ascent to becoming a Merolini solidifies her status as a rising star on the international stage.
A true embodiment of diversity, Alexa embraces her Canadian roots and her rich heritage, representing nine nations through her bloodlines. In her performances, her versatility shines through, whether in iconic productions like Tosca, Pagliacci, and La Bohème or in culturally significant works such as Bas Sheve (Yiddish Opera North American Premiere) and the Dora Award-nominated The Monkiest King. Join us as we embark on the next chapter of Alexa Frankian’s remarkable journey, filled with boundless enthusiasm and unforgettable performances that transcend borders and cultures.