What people are saying about Wish Opera?

Kathleen Pilgrim - PwC, Director, Business Development, Private Company Services
"The talent in Rose Marie was truly amazing! What resonated was if it weren't for Wish Opera, we may never have the pleasure to see them perform and realize their dreams."



Charles Pachter – Renowned Canadian Artist
"When the Mounties marched in singing, I knew we were in for a treat! And we were, with the sweet silky sound of the lovely Maude Brunet as Rose Marie."



Natasha Lazarovic, Fashion Designer
"Finally, the long awaited fusion of high fashion and the arts has begun. Wish Opera is laying the groundwork for artists on all sides of the Arts Industry to meet on a common ground and unify an industry with epic proportions."



Michael Robert Bussiere – Marsville.tv Inc. "The stage revival of Rose Marie was a truly inspired idea. Imagine a long-lost classic brimming with Canadiana jovially coming alive again in the heart of Toronto with so much affection and warmth."



By Jack Evans - Intelligencer
The company’s first full-scale production, a revival of the 1920s smash hit musical, Rose Marie, played Friday and Saturday evenings in the John Bassett Theatre in the Toronto Convention Centre played to large crowds both evenings.

Dated, but laced with rich melodies, the musical follows the traditional formula of boy gets girl-boy loses girl- boy gets girl, with plenty of chorus and dance routines, including a full-fledged old-fashioned drill by a company of Mounties and an authentic and beautifully-costumed Canadian aboriginal dance group performing an Indian style dance, albeit to a tune and a rhythm remarkably like a Charleston. Standing out front and centre though are the two major hits from this classic old musical – the theme song, Rose Marie and the Indian Love Call (When I’m Calling Yoo-ooo—ooo.) It also featured a lively and colourful ensemble opening with the traditional French Canadian folk song, Vive La Canadienne.

The composer behind this musical was Czechoslovakian born and trained Rudolf Friml, whose Viennese-style music applied to Broadway quickly made him popular after he moved to the United States. One should note that Conductor Stratton also has a special affinity for Czech music.

Stratton guided his small but very effective pit band and cast members with precision, following the original musical score.

The story behind Wish Opera is a dream by its founder, Tonia Cianciulli for a company that focuses on Canadian content in top talent and contemporary fashion and décor. In this show, that translated into latest dress fashions for both men and women and a stage set that reflected contemporary furnishings.

This aspect arouses some curiosity. It is not unusual for classic plays and shows to be set in various costume periods from the original through to modern. Will there be a long range market for this on a fixed basis?

Beautiful singing by leads Maude Brunet as Rose Marie, Todd Delaney as her lover-miner Jim, Michael York as RCMP Sgt. Malone and other stars certainly showed the talent behind this creative initiative. And picking a musical with a Canadian setting added some thrust for the first show.

Wish Opera’s next show will be Oct. 28 and 29 with a production of Romeo et Juliette.

Another plus for Wish Opera, at least based on its first show, is seat prices are particularly affordable, running $35 to $40 range.



Christopher Hoile, The WholeNote
"Mezzo-soprano Maude Brunet was charming and effervescent in the title role with a voice that was at once rich and bright."

"Todd Delaney as Rose Marie’s beloved Jim made a strong impression with his full yet agile baritone. One might have thought that the once-popular "Indian Love Call"was too hackneyed now to be effective, yet when sung with such youthful ardour by Brunet and Delaney its attractions shone like new."

"In the comic parallel plot baritone Michael York was a standout as Sergeant Malone in charge of a troupe of Mounties arrayed in dress uniforms throughout. York captured exactly the right spirit for such a show--a sense of fun that never descended into camp."

"As the cowardly "Hard-Boiled"Herman, Bass Dann Mitton displayed his huge, rich voice and contralto Deborah Overes as Lady Jane, his on-again-off-again girlfriend could be depended on both for comedy and fine singing."

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