Pacific Opera breathes musical life into Victoria’s outdoor spaces this August

Pacific Opera Victoria brings music to the city’s most famous public parks and open spaces with Open Air: A Summer Festival of Music from 1–5 August.

The five-day event, co-hosted by the Victoria Symphony Society, offers Victorian residents the opportunity to experience scheduled concerts featuring orchestral arrangements and family-friendly outdoor activities, in addition to Pop Up Opera events.

On Thursday, August 1, the Victoria Symphony Orchestra will take to the stage at The Butchart Gardens at 8:00 p.m. for a show included in the price of admission. The performance will be conducted by Pacific Opera’s Chief Conductor Giuseppe Pietraroia and accompanied by violinist Elana Lin.

Vocals are provided by Pacific Opera soprano Lucia Cesaroni and baritone Justin Welsh, both of whom received critical acclaim for their performances in the 2023 productions of Così fan tutte (Cesaroni) and The Birds (Welsh).

The VSO and its partners return for a free second show at the Cameron Bandshell venue in Beacon Hill Park on August 3 at 6 p.m. Event coordinators have planned activities for all ages on the park lawns from 3 to 6 p.m. Parents can bring their kids to the face painting booth, the Pacific Opera Shop Touch Table or let them relax and experience playing multiple musical instruments for themselves at the Instrument Petting Zoo.

Families will also enjoy: Drag Storytime with Persi Flagge of Stashes and Lashes, a performance by soprano Jennifer Turner, featuring Robert Holliston on piano, a family sing-along with Pacific Opera Pop Up artists and a ‘Learn to Be a Conductor’ session for kids with Maestro Joey.

Over the course of five days, Pacific Opera singers will delight audiences with free Pop Up Opera concerts in public parks and open spaces throughout the Capital Regional District.

Pop Up Opera events include: August 1st & 5th at 4pm at Bastion Square, August 2nd & 4th at 4pm at GVPL Esquimalt Branch, and August 7th at 2pm at GVPL Juan de Fuca Branch. There will also be surprise pop-ups throughout Greater Victoria.

For more information and tickets, visit pacificopera.ca.