The Vancouver Opera Guild invites you to join its spring tour to New York featuring four productions at the Metropolitan Opera with excellent seating in the Grand Tier Balance section plus the Met’s National Council Grand Finals Concert.

Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti

The role of the fragile heroine who teeters between love and madness is sung by soprano Pretty Yende who has impressed audiences with dazzling bel canto portrayals at the Met. Michael Fabiano plays the role of her lover in this chilling production by Tony Award-winning director Mary Zimmerman. Roberto Abbado conducts.

Tosca by Giacomo Puccini

Rivalling the splendour of Franco Zeffirelli’s set and costumes of the Napoleonic era, Sir David McVicar’s ravishing new production offers a splendid backdrop for Anna Netrebko in the title role of the jealous prima donna. Marcelo Álvarez is Tosca’s revolutionary artist lover Cavaradossi, with Michael Volle as the depraved police chief Scarpia. Bertrand de Billy conducts.

Cendrillon by Jules Massenet

“Glorious, her performance was thoroughly enchanting” raved the New York Times when Joyce DiDonato sang the title role of Cendrillon at the Royal Opera in 2011. Now, for the first time ever, Massenet’s sumptuous take on the Cinderella story comes to the Met, with Di Donato starring in the title role. She is paired with mezzo-soprano Alice Coote in the trouser role of Prince Charming, Kathleen Kim as the Fairy Godmother, and Stephanie Blythe as the imperious Madame de la Haltière. Bertrand de Billy conducts Laurent Pelly’s imaginative storybook production.

Roméo et Juliette by Charles Gounod

Bartlett Sher’s production of Gounod’s sumptuous Shakespeare adaptation was a hit of the 2016-17 Met season (“a revelation” declared the Huffington Post). Now the sweeping tragedy returns with Ailyn Pérez and Bryan Hymel, both celebrated in French repertoire, as the star crossed young lovers. Plácido Domingo conducts.

National Council Grand Finals Concert

Some of today’s greatest singers got their start in the Met National Council Auditions including Jamie Barton, Stephanie Blythe, Lawrence Brownlee, Renée Fleming, Susan Graham, Thomas Hampson, Angela Meade, Eric Owens, Frederica von Stade and Simone Osborne. Watch the 2018 finalists compete for cash prizes and the chance to launch a major operatic career while accompanied by the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, conducted by Bertrand de Billy.

Tour Includes:

  • Return airfare Vancouver to New York
  • Airport transfers in New York
  • 6 nights accommodation at the Watson Hotel (formerly Holiday Inn Midtown), baggage handling and hotel tax
  • Welcome reception
  • Four opera tickets (Grand Tier Balance) plus National Council Grand Finals Concert
  • Vancouver Opera Guild Tour Director
  • $150 donation to the Vancouver Opera Guild ($200 for non-members)

Not Included:

  • Airport taxes and GST of approx. $140
  • Meals in New York and other items of a personal nature

Deposit:

A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required at time of booking with balance due by February 7. For bookings made after February 7, full payment is required at time of booking.

Travel Insurance:

Our comprehensive insurance package covers trip cancellation/interruption in the event of cancellation due to personal or family illness, excess hospital/ medical benefits, baggage and travel accident. For those under 61 years, the premium is $197.00. From 61 to 65 years, the premium is $237.00. From 66 - 70 the premium is $299.00, from 71 -76 $353.00 and for those 77+ the premium is $667.00. Premiums are higher for those paying a single supplement. Some exclusions for pre-existing conditions do apply. Please ask for details.

Cancellation:

The deposit of $500 is non-refundable from date paid. For cancellations received after February 7, any refund is subject to the amount actually recovered from the suppliers.

Additional Comments:

OPERA TICKETS

Seating at the Met is requested in the Grand Tier Balance section for the four opera performances and one concert. Great Expeditions is not responsible for last minute changes in the opera program nor to the performers.

DOCUMENTATION

A valid passport is required.

  • Airfares for April 2018 were not available at time of printing. Airfare estimated based on current rates and subject to minor change.

All prices are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated and may be subject to change. Great Expeditions reserves the right to make changes in itinerary if it is deemed necessary.

B.C. Reg. 2622-4