Opera West

Opera West

Opera West. Association of western Canadian opera companies. The principle was initiated in 1968 by the Vancouver and Edmonton Opera Associations, which joined forces to improve opera standards, sharing manpower and production costs for stagings of La Bohème (1969) and Lucrezia Borgia (1972). With the formation of the Manitoba Opera Association in 1971 and Southern Alberta Opera Association (Calgary Opera) in 1972 the practicality of such collaboration became increasingly evident. The four companies were incorporated as Opera West in March 1973, producing their first joint effort, La Traviata, the same year. Permanent production facilities were established in Vancouver. Opera West was later joined by affiliate members, the Portland and Seattle operas. The association's presidents were A. Kerr Twaddle (1973), Frederick L. Scott (1973-5 and 1977-80), and E.W. Bert Adamson (1975-7). At the last annual general meeting of the association, held in Calgary 24 Oct 1980, a resolution was passed to cease operations and combine with Professional Opera Companies of Canada (POCC). POCC was founded in 1980 to promote the professional presentation of opera in Canada, to foster exchange of information between opera professionals and volunteers, and to enhance the artistic growth of Canada's opera companies.