Inside Thursday’s Operanation ball: 29 pictures of partygoers and opera singers, Nelly Furtado, the Arkells and more!
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Last Thursday opera lovers, patrons of the arts and faces who frequent Toronto’s party circuit came together to support the Canadian Opera Company for Operanation 9: Sweet Revenge. Attendees reflected the event’s theme of high-brow-opera-meets-pop-culture-concert well: Women in floor-length evening gowns navigated the many staircases of the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts with ease—proving there’s no architectural challenge a mermaid dress can’t master—while others used the Centre’s sprawling steps as seating throughout the night.
Actress Gabrille Miller looked stunning in a peplum’d dress from Lucian Matis Fall 2012 while Nelly Furtado had two costume changes throughout the night, starting with a gown by Denis Gagnon and later switching into a Holy Tee dress. On the third floor a group of Argo players attracted many eligible ladies—perhaps the popularity of The Bachelor Canada has given the CFL a new social standing?—making for a tight squeeze between their huddle and a boxers-clad Calvin Klein model spraying samples of Encounter. Back down on the first floor partygoers were given an intimate look at operatic costumes hand-tailored by Ryerson fashion students and alumni and commissioned specifically for Operanation. There was also a horn of plenty—or at least a large sculpture that many guests called as such. Created by artist Dean Baldwin the “voice amplifier” was a source of curiosity throughout the night and also served as a distinct meeting place for friends lost in the Operanation crowds.
Of course, it couldn’t be a night celebrating the COC without a few unique musical performances curated by the Operanation committee. Nelly Furtado took to the stage with the COC Ensemble Studio bartione Cameron McPhail for almost-acoustic renditions of her popular hits, including “Maneater.” Later in the evening the Arkells performed with some help from COC Ensemble Studio members soprano Ambur Braid and mezzo-soprano Rihab Chaieb—and another special guest, Jian Ghomeshi. (He was more than eager to repeat his performance of “Psycho Killer” from last month’s book launch.) And while Ambur Braid in no way fits the opera trope of “the fat lady,” her next level vocals were indeed the best way to close out the night.
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