OSO conductor takes a second job
Okanagan Symphony Orchestra music director and conductor Rosemary Thomson will be doing double duty this summer.
Opera Kelowna has named Thomson as its interim artistic director.
Noting that Thomson is a well-known local figure, Opera Kelowna says in a news release: “What may be less well known locally, however, is Thomson’s national reputation as a frequent guest conductor with operatic organizations across Canada.
“The Okanagan Symphony Society recently renewed Ms. Thomson’s contract where she will continue in her current position as music director for the OSO.
“Thomson … recently made her debut with Tapestry Opera in Toronto where she conducted the world premiere of the critically acclaimed Shawnadithit by librettist Yvette Nolan and composer Dean Burry.
“Other operatic conducting has included engagements with Opera Garden (Scotland), Calgary Opera and Richard Margison’s Highland Opera Studio.
“For four seasons, Thomson was the assistant conductor to Richard Bradshaw at the Canadian Opera Company. She also assisted
David Agler at the Banff Centre and at the Vancouver Opera Association.”
Opera Kelowna was launched in 2013 under the direction of founding Artistic Director Alexandra Babbel as a society with a dual focus on producing professional operatic programming, and providing a highlevel training program for young artists.
In its 2020 season, “our vision is to weave Opera Kelowna into the cultural fabric of the Okanagan Valley, and we plan to do that in two ways: first, by bringing renowned international artists into the valley to delight our audiences; and second, by creating phenomenal opportunities for our extraordinary local artists to be involved in the creation of world-class opera on our stages,” said Opera Kelowna board co-chair Allan Neilson.
Details regarding Opera Kelowna’s 2020 main stage production and Summer Intensive Training Program will be announced at a season launch party on Thursday.
“Our main stage production is a well-loved opera that receives its company and Okanagan valley premiere,” Thomson said in the release.