For the first time since 1980, Pacific Opera Victoria has a new artistic director.
Calgary-raised Brenna Corner was hired following an international search as the successor to Timothy Vernon, 75, who joined Pacific Opera as its founding artistic director in 1980. Vernon officially left the position in June, following a 43-year run with the company — one of the longest of its kind in Canadian opera history.
In an interview with the Times Colonist, Corner, 37, who has been stationed in Atlanta for several years, said her hiring is akin to a dream come true. She has always admired the company, having attended a production of Pacific Opera’s Lucia di Lammermoor in 2015, when she was a young artist living in Vancouver.
The experience has stayed with her, and was “burned” into her artistic psyche, she admitted. “I sat there and went, ‘Wow.’ It was such a formative experience for me.”
The hiring of Corner was not the only news out of Pacific Opera on Thursday.
Victoria conductor Giuseppe (Joey) Pietraroia was also named principal conductor, after nearly two decades of work as associate conductor with both the Victoria Symphony and Pacific Opera. Pietraroia was brought in on emergency basis to serve as guest conductor of the Victoria Symphony for Die Walküre, which opened Pacific Opera’s 2023-24 season on Oct. 9.
Vernon was unable to participate due to injury. Pietraroia will conduct the piece for the final time at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Die Walküre has been very well received, and positions Pacific Opera for a successful run under Corner’s artistic direction.
“I’m energized by her appreciation for the dynamic range of opera repertoire and music performance,” Pacific Opera CEO Ian Rye said of Corner.
“As an artist she has built a portfolio of grand-scale masterworks, intimate chamber performances, operas for youth and new work creation. As a leader, her ambition for Pacific Opera is palpable, and I am excited to explore new horizons for the art form, artists and audiences with her.”
Corner has worked across the United States, Canada and Europe as a stage director and dramatic coach. She was expected to make her directorial debut with Pacific Opera Victoria during the company’s 2019-20 season, but the production of Carmen was postponed due to the pandemic.
She will join Pacific Opera in an official capacity in December, with a series of welcome events planned to introduce her to audiences.
