Soprano Anna-Julia David comes full circle for her Opera Atelier debut

Soprano Anna-Julia David makes her grand debut as Amour in Opera Atelier’s rendition of Gluck’s Orpheus and Eurydice, a lavish production that marks the company’s 38th season. The performance, featuring the 1774 French version of the opera composed expressly for Marie Antoinette, is on stage at Toronto’s Elgin Theatre from October 26 to November 1, 2023, directed by Marshall Pynkoski and choreographed by Jeanette Lajeneusse Zingg. The cast includes Canadian tenor Colin Ainsworth in the role of Orpheus (a part he first performed for Opera Atelier in 2007) and soprano Mireille Asselin as Eurydice. 

A homegrown talent, David is thrilled to return to her native city of Toronto. After a journey that has included studying abroad in the Netherlands and performing on international stages, this debut with Opera Atelier feels all the more momentous. “I have watched their shows, even at a young age,” she exclaims, so “it’s a dream come true to be performing in this show.”

In Orpheus and Eurydice, she takes on the role of the cheeky yet powerful Amour, also known as Cupid, who guides Orphée’s perilous descent. “He warns Orphée in the beginning of the opera about what Orphée must do when he descends into the underworld,” David explains. She appreciates the combination of Amour’s charming, child-like innocence with a touch of  bossiness that shows up in the interactions with Orphée. Her favorite scene to perform is Amour bringing Eurydice back to life. “It is such a magical moment. And what I love the most is that, at the end, love conquers all and triumphs.” And there’s also the opportunity to sing on a newly built flying machine designed by Gerard Gauci. This thrilling experience is a first for her, which adds an extra thrill to her debut with Opera Atelier.

Beyond her role in Orpheus and Eurydice, David is also set to perform in All Is Love, featuring music by Debussy, Hahn, Handel, Lully, Purcell and Rameau. This multifaceted production explores expressions of love and desire across different time periods, blending baroque and 20th-century repertoire with original music by Edwin Huizinga. Scheduled for April 11-14, 2024 at Koerner Hall, the program garnered enthusiastic acclaim during its premiere in February 2022. All is Love will feature an all-star cast, including Canadian soprano Measha Brueggergosman-Lee, Artist of Atelier Ballet Eric da Silva, tenor Colin Ainsworth, baritone Jesse Blumberg, soprano Meghan Lindsay, mezzo soprano Danielle MacMillan, soprano Cynthia Akemi-Smithers, and bass baritone Douglas Williams. 

Both Orpheus and Euridyce and All is Love will feature the Artists of Atelier Ballet and will be accompanied by Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, under the baton of Opera Atelier Music Director David Fallis, with the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir and the Nathaniel Dett Chorale (Brainerd Blyden-Taylor, Founder and Artistic Director).

David is excited for audiences to experience this fusion of love-themed music from various eras. “All Is Love was one of the first performances Opera Atelier was able to perform after the restrictions had been lifted,” she elaborates. “The performance was such a success, and audiences were thrilled. I am very happy to be part of the April show, and I am most excited for more people to experience a beautiful show featuring music across various time periods, all held together by the theme of love.” 

These performances very much bring David’s journey to becoming a professional opera singer full circle.She sang in choirs from the age of 5 and studied piano at the Royal Conservatory of Music. Music had always been an integral part of her existence, so after completing her Bachelor of Science degree, she decided to pursue singing seriously. Her academic journey led to the University of Toronto, where she honed her vocal skills before embarking on a Masters program in the Netherlands, where David sang throughout the country with her ensemble The Decameron. As she returns to Toronto for an extended period, David is reminiscing fondly about the University of Toronto campus – especially Philosopher’s Walk, the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM), and the Royal Ontario Museum. These locales, which she will revisit, hold special memories from her formative years, including her piano studies at the RCM and her singing studies at U of T.

When asked to share advice with young individuals who are on the fence or uninformed about opera, David encourages them to attend live performances: “There’s an electrifying energy to witnessing opera in person that can truly ignite a passion for the art form.“ 

Ignited by her own experiences watching Opera Atelier, David’s journey from Toronto to international stages – and her portrayal of Amour in Orpheus and Eurydice and performance in All Is Love – reveal a talented soprano whose star is on the rise.

Visit operaatelier.com to reserve tickets online.

© Arpita Ghosal, Sesayarts Magazine, 2023