UBC Old Auditorium

OK, this is *THE* opera house to have a performance.
Finally made it here for a full production opera in the evening. Cosi Fan Tutte, a Mozart opera. Google it. One of my favorites. Seen many operas in my life, and I’m now into third and fourth viewing rotations for certain operas. I like seeing different productions of operas that I’ve seen before. They’re always a little different, whether it is the stage setting, the portrayals and interpretations of the characters, arias, or the costumes. Each different production will have a different overall interpretation.
As I’ve said before, the venue is beautiful. Small, intimate and cozy. The opera was put on by the UBC School of Music. All of the stage sets, designs, and costumes were done by the students. It was impressive. The set, and costuming looked incredibly professional, equal to or better than Vancouver Opera productions.
The QE theatre productions are large. 2500+ people in the audience. Chan Centre productions by UBC Opera are nice as well, but in a modern building. It has it’s merits, but it doesn’t have the charm of a building built in the 1920’s, and fully restored.
Because the venue is smaller, the sound of the pit orchestra was excellent. The sound doesn’t need to travel far, and the warmth of the instruments can be fully appreciated. Add to it the exuberance of the student performers and the result is a very enjoyable evening.
When the show is done, there are no huge crowds shuffling to get out. Easy to get out of the parking lot.