UPDATE: The 10th anniversary of Operanation raised over $130,000 for COC’s Ensemble Studio!
The sold-out annual fundraising gala for the Canadian Opera Company took over 3 storeys at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts on a busy week of events centered around Toronto’s fashion week. But even with all the frenzy of events, this gala is never one to miss.
In this year’s signature Operanation rock-opera performance, the Sam Roberts Band entertained the crowd accompanied by the COC’s Ambur Braid to the audience’s delight.
There was plenty of good food including the gourmet mac and cheese bar with an impressive variety of fresh, delectable toppings including real bacon bits, caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms, chili flakes and more.
It’s an annual gala that offers one of the finest experiences in the city and it’s easy to see why starting with the incredible venue, top notch entertainment and great food showcasing great Canadian talent.
Limited edition KAELEN X Sam Roberts Band – Operanation T-shirts by New York’s KAELEN are available for purchase online from the Canadian Opera Company here or in person at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (145 Queen St. W). There are only 50 shirts in this limited collection and all proceeds go to support the COC’s Ensemble Studio.
Ambur Braid, Sam Roberts
Jeremy Laing (fashion designer), Alexander Neef (Canadian Company Company’s general director)
right: Cameron McPhail, Baritone, Canadian Opera Company
Stacey McKenzie (supermodel), Rolyn Chambers
Our full gallery here:
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- One of the 50 limited edition KAELEN T-shirts for Operanation signed by Alexander Neef (COC General Director) and others
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- right: Cameron McPhail, Baritone, Canadian Opera Company
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- Verity Megan
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- Impressive candy booth
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- Tiffany Leigh
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- Simon Ip, Halysha Maloni
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- left: Nancy Niu
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- Amy Burstyn-Fritz (Operanation co-chair), Kaelen Haworth (fashion designer, KAELEN)
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- Astrid-Maria Ciarallo, Joanna Nicholson, Regan Cairns
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- right: Ruby Fay Wray
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- Stacey McKenzie (supermodel), Rolyn Chambers
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- right: Jeffrey Remedios
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- Tara Noelle
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- Amy Burstyn-Fritz
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- Operanation chairs: Anna Maggisano, Amy Burstyn-Fritz, Jeffrey Mederios
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- Ambur Braid, Sam Roberts
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- Ambur Braid
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- Sam Roberts Band
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- Ambur Braid
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- Ambur Braid
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- Ambur Braid
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- Sam Roberts Band
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- Jeremy Laing (fashion designer), Alexander Neef (Canadian Company Company’s general director)
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- Deb Lewis
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- right: Brendan Canning (Broken Social Scene)
Some tweets from Operanation 10:
Excited to be back hosting @CanadianOpera's @Operanation VIP dinner. pic.twitter.com/ihnieWKQnf
— Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo) October 24, 2013
Wow. @samrobertsband rocking @Operanation @CanadianOpera One of the best of the year. pic.twitter.com/wUKXr6kqDS
— Amoryn Engel (@amoryn) October 25, 2013
Dot know this man but it was the best photo bomb ever! He's giving couture! Hahahahahaha! #operanation pic.twitter.com/S2YsAjctzf
— Stacey McKenzie (@StaceyMcKenzie1) October 25, 2013
You can't even handle this Mac n Cheese bar @CanadianOpera #operanation pic.twitter.com/nq1EbUBcoT
— Opera 5 (@OperaFive) October 25, 2013
Big shoutout to the most fabulous co-chairs one could ever wish for: Anne Maggisano, @AmyBurstynFritz & @jeffreyremedios ! #Operanation
— Alexander Neef (@alexanderncoc) October 25, 2013
A phenomenal performance last night @Operanation by @MsAmburBraid & @samrobertsband #operameetsrock #Operanation pic.twitter.com/ymubBhmMeH
— Verity Megan (@VerityMeg) October 25, 2013
We're still basking in the #Operanation glow from last night! Here's a repost of some of our lovely #EnsembleStudio pic.twitter.com/BofwaOaIyw
— CanadianOperaCompany (@CanadianOpera) October 25, 2013
ABOUT OPERANATION
Established in 2005, Operanation is the Canadian Opera Company’s premier fundraising event. For arts patrons as well as the opera-curious, Operanation presents a unique experience, equal parts party and performance, with special collaborations between classic and modern music and complementary art forms ranging from visual arts to fashion. Attracting over 1,000 guests, Operanation takes over three floors of the COC’s opera house, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Funds raised for Operanation are directed towards the COC’s Ensemble Studio, Canada’s premier training program for young opera professionals. For more information on Operanation, please visit www.operanation.ca
ABOUT THE CANADIAN OPERA COMPANY
Based in Toronto, the Canadian Opera Company is the largest producer of opera in Canada and one of the largest in North America. The COC enjoys a loyal audience support-base and one of the highest attendance and subscription rates in North America. Under its leadership team of General Director Alexander Neef and Music Director Johannes Debus, the COC is increasingly capturing the opera world’s attention. The COC maintains its international reputation for artistic excellence and creative innovation by creating new productions within its diverse repertoire, collaborating with leading opera companies and festivals, and attracting the world’s foremost Canadian and international artists. The COC performs in its own opera house, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, hailed internationally as one of the finest in the world. Designed by Diamond and Schmitt Architects, the Four Seasons Centre opened in 2006, and is also the performance venue for The National Ballet of Canada. For more information on the Canadian Opera Company, please visit its award-winning website, coc.ca.
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