BRAVI!
OPERA’S GREATEST HITS
Winspear Centre | October 9 & 11, 2025
In Partnership with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
Bravi! Opera’s Greatest Hits - A Dazzling Start to the Season
The opening production of our 2025/26 season, Bravi! Opera’s Greatest Hits, filled the Winspear Centre with music, energy, and excitement this past weekend. Audiences were treated to opera’s most beloved melodies in a dazzling celebration of timeless artistry — and the response was overwhelmingly positive.
“”Magnificent! Words can’t express how amazing this evening was. The symphony, the singers, the chorus, the choices. Thank you for a wonderful, moving evening.””
With a near-full theatre and rave reviews, Bravi! brought together powerful overtures, soaring arias, and moving ensembles that transported audiences through the emotional landscapes of love, betrayal, triumph, and despair.
Iconic works by Verdi, Puccini, Mozart, and Bizet came to life, showcasing the virtuosity of the orchestra and the breathtaking skill of our soloists. Between the familiar melodies and stunning orchestral interludes, each moment captured the grandeur and emotion that define opera’s greatest hits.
The performance featured acclaimed soprano Miriam Khalil, rising Canadian tenor Zachary Rioux, and Tessa Fackelmann, winner of the 2024/25 Rumbold Vocal Prize, joined by the Edmonton Opera Chorus. The evening was directed by Joel Ivany, Edmonton Opera’s Artistic Director.
It was, in every sense, a spectacular beginning to the season — and a beautiful reminder of why live opera continues to move and inspire us all.
Photos by Carl Paolo Hernandez
Tessa Fackelman - Mezzo-soprano
Edmonton Opera Chorus
Zachary Rioux - Tenor
William Eddins - Conductor
Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
Nathan Berg - Bass-baritone
Edmonton Opera Chorus
Miriam Khalil - Soprano
William Eddins - Conductor
Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
Miriam Khalil - Soprano
Zachary Rioux - Tenor
Nathan Berg - Bass-baritone
Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
program
MOZART
The Marriage of Figaro: Overture
BIZET
Carmen: Habenera & Toreador’s Song
PUCCINI
La bohéme: “Mi chiamano Mimì”
“Che Gelida manina”
BIZET
The Pearl Fishers: “Au fond du temple saint”
VERDI
Aida: Grand March
VERDI
Rigoletto: “Bella figlia dell’amore”
WAGNER
Die Walküre: The Ride of the Valkyries
OFFENBACH
The Tales of Hoffman: Barcarolle
VERDI
La traviata: Brindisi
ROSSINI
The Barber of Seville: “Una voce poco fa”
WAGNER
Tannhäuser: Song to the Evening Star
BELLINI
Norma: “Casta diva”
LEONCAVALLO
Pagliacci: “Vesti la giubba”
VERDI
Nabucco: “Va, pensiero”
CREATIVES
Joel Ivany
Director
William Eddins
Conductor
Shannon Hiebert
Chorus Director
ARTISTS
Miriam Khalil
Soprano
Nathan Berg
Bass-Baritone
Tessa Fackelmann
Mezzo-Soprano
Zachary Rioux
Tenor