On January 28, 2019 — during one of the worst winter storms in recent memory — a panel of leading women in the industry gathered to discuss the realities of working as a woman in opera. Moderated by opera professional Sue Elliott, the insightful discussion included soprano and composer Danika Lorèn, soprano Miriam Khalil, and mezzo-soprano and arts administrator Janet Stubbs. 

We're happy to share a few highlights from the discussion below and we encourage you to continue this incredibly important conversation in the comment section and on social media using the hashtag, #WomeninOpera. 

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The roundtable was organized into three main categories of discussion: Creative Environments, Reconciling the Canon, and Towards a More Inclusive Future.

Sue Elliott: "Gender represents only one perspective through which to consider inequity. The categories often described as “identity politics” along with gender, which include race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, ability, and others, influence how opera is created and produced, seen by audiences, and reviewed by critics. In contrast, style, preferences, habits, training, connections, and artistic commitments also have an impact on production and reception."

CREATIVE ENVIRONMENTS

What's going well? Where are the challenges?
Speaking: Miriam Khalil, Danika Lorèn, Janet Stubbs



RECONCILING THE CANON

Sue Elliott: "When you’re preparing and performing roles that portray women in ways you find uncomfortable, how do you work through that process yourself, with your colleagues, and in interactions with any audience members?"

Intimacy on stage
Speaking: Danika Lorèn


Performing interesting female characters
Speaking: Miriam Khalil



TOWARDS A MORE INCLUSIVE FUTURE

The unrealized potential of women in opera
Speaking: Sue Elliott, Danika Lorèn, Miriam Khalil


Body-shaming
Speaking: Danika Lorèn


Representation on stage
Speaking: Miriam Khalil


Photo credit: (l-r) Sue Elliott, Danika Lorèn, Miriam Khalil, and Janet Stubbs. Photo: COC Staff

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For information on future events like this one, visit our Opera Insights page.

See Miriam Khalil and Danika Lorèn on stage this spring in Puccini's La Bohème, April 17 to May 22, 2019 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.


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