Manitoba Opera (MO) is marking their 50th season this year and what better way to begin the celebrations than with a ball?  

 

Rossini’s effervescent, joyous and downright fun musical telling of the Cinderella fairytale – La Cenerentola – is the first production of the 2022/23 MO season. Directed by Rob Herriot, the à la mode 1950s setting promises to delight with mid-century modern-inspired sets and colourful exaggerated haute couture costuming. 

And, of course, plenty of outstanding singing including mezzo-soprano Lizzy Hoyt in her Manitoba Opera debut – one delayed by a spring performance postponement.  

“Looking at the silver linings, it gave me a few extra months to look forward to it,” says Hoyt, who says the excitement is palpable amongst the cast.  

A true hybrid musician, Hoyt is an accomplished award-winning Celtic folk singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who came to opera rather late, according to classical music norms. Having grown up in a musical family, Hoyt was familiar with opera and always enjoyed the genre but didn't participate in it.  

“It sort of felt like this passion that I had and wasn’t doing anything about,” she says.  

At 25, Hoyt started taking formal voice lessons, shortly thereafter enrolling in the Centre for Opera Studies in Italy summer program, with a subsequent move to Winnipeg to begin studies with Tracy Dahl.  

Pursing an operatic career with the same drive that established her folk success, Hoyt has established herself as a versatile and powerhouse performer.  

Considered to be one of Rossini’s finest contributions to the operatic canon – of which there are 30! -- the heart-warming tale of the triumph of kindness over envy is sure to delight all ages. There’s love at first sight, mistaken identities, and lots of laughs. 

“It’s just entertaining, it’s a pleasure to be involved in and it’s just really fun!” says Hoyt.  

La Cenerentola runs at the Centennial Concert Hall Saturday, November 12 (7:30 pm), Tuesday, November 15 (7pm), and Friday, November 18 (7:30 pm).  

Visit: www.mbopera.ca for tickets and more details!