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Pacific Opera Victoria Passionate storytellers through opera; Pacific Opera Victoria embodies excellence in immersive, evocative performances that resonate deeply.

Meet Simona Genga, bringing the fiery and formidable Azucena to life in Verdi’s Il trovatore! Praised for her “exception...
10/20/2026

Meet Simona Genga, bringing the fiery and formidable Azucena to life in Verdi’s Il trovatore!

Praised for her “exceptional and rare voice” and its “vocal plushness, amplitude and range” (Ludwig van Toronto/Opera Canada), Italian-Canadian mezzo-soprano Simona Genga makes her Pacific Opera Victoria debut in one of Verdi’s most complex and compelling roles.

A former member of the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio, Simona recently returned to the COC as Giovanna in Rigoletto, a role she also performed in her Santa Fe Opera debut. This season also sees her making her Calgary Opera debut as Emilia in Otello.

Simona was recently featured as Opera Canada’s Artist of the Week, sharing insights into her approach to new roles, the courage it takes to be vulnerable onstage, and even a few ghost stories!

Read her full interview with Opera Canada: https://operacanada.ca/artist-of-the-week-17-qs-for-simona-genga/

Only TWO performances remain to experience Simona as Azucena in Il trovatore at the Royal Theatre!

October 22 at 7:30 PM
October 24 at 4:00 PM

🎟️ Tickets at pacificopera.ca

10/20/2026

What’s your favourite musical moment in Il trovatore? Verdi’s music gives us plenty of moments to remember.

We asked the cast of Il trovatore to share their favourite musical moments from the opera, and why these passages mean so much to them. Hear from Simona Genga, Grant Youngblood, Kirsten LeBlanc, Adam Lau, and Marcelo Puente, with a few glimpses of these moments brought to life onstage!

Only TWO performances remain at the Royal Theatre!

October 22 at 7:30 PM
October 24 at 4:00 PM

🎟️ Tickets at pacificopera.ca

Love an epic tale of revenge, betrayal, and impossible love? Or perhaps a story filled with warring kingdoms, family riv...
10/20/2026

Love an epic tale of revenge, betrayal, and impossible love? Or perhaps a story filled with warring kingdoms, family rivalries, and shocking twists?

If you're a fan of The Count of Monte Cristo, Game of Thrones, or Final Fantasy XVI, there's a good chance you'll find something to love in Verdi's Il trovatore!

With unforgettable characters, fierce rivalries, and a sweeping score that brings every emotion to life, Il trovatore delivers the kind of larger-than-life storytelling you love, experienced through the power of live opera.

Swipe through to discover what these stories have in common, and join us at the Royal Theatre for one of our final two performances!

🔥 Thursday, October 22 at 7:30 pm
🔥 Saturday, October 24 at 4:00 pm
Tickets at pacificopera.ca

From the opening notes to the final curtain, Opera Canada celebrates the extraordinary vocal talent bringing Verdi's thr...
10/19/2026

From the opening notes to the final curtain, Opera Canada celebrates the extraordinary vocal talent bringing Verdi's thrilling score to life. Praising the principal cast, chorus, and orchestra, Robin Miller’s review is filled with enthusiasm for the musical excellence that you won’t want to miss!

Read the full review: https://operacanada.ca/pacific-opera-victoria-il-trovatorepacked-with-fabulous-singing-talent/
Only two performances remain! Experience Il trovatore at the Royal Theatre on October 22 and 24.
pacificopera.ca

📷 - Marcelo Puente as Manrico with members of the Pacific Opera Victoria Chorus in Il trovatore, Pacific Opera Victoria 2026. Photo by David Cooper

10/18/2026

Il trovatore
Dates: October 16 & 22 at 7:30 pm, October 18 at 2:30 pm, October 24 at 4:00 pm The Royal Theatre
Sung in in Italian with English surtitles
Music by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Salvadore Cammarano & Leone Emanuele Badare
Based on the play El trovador by Antonio García Gutiérrez

Cast
Manrico | Marcelo Puente
Leonora | Kirsten LeBlanc
Conte di Luna | Grant Youngblood
Azucena | Simona Genga
Ferrando | Adam Lau
Ruiz | Timothy Carter
Inez | Jennifer Turner
Messenger | Graeme Linton
Old Man | Brian Andiel

Ensembles
Pacific Opera Chorus & Supernumeraries
Victoria Symphony

Cast and programme are subject to change

Creative Team

Conductor | Giuseppe Pietraroia
Stage Director | Brenna Corner
Set Designer | Olivier Landreville
Costume Designer | Martin Pakledinaz
Lighting Designer | Sophie Tang
Projection Designer | S . Katy Tucker
Fight Director | Jacques Lemay
Chorus Director & Principal Coach | Kimberley-Ann Bartczak
Stage Manager | Marijka Asbeek Brusse
Assistant Stage Manager | Giselle Clarke-Trenaman
Assistant Stage Manager | Katie Schmidt

Royal Theatre & McPherson Playhouse Stage Employees and Running Crew,
Members of I.A.T.S.E. Local 168
Costumes provided by LA Opera
Costume Construction by the Los Angeles Opera Costume Shop

Following his acclaimed Pacific Opera Victoria debut in Rigoletto last season, baritone Grant Youngblood returns to the ...
10/16/2026

Following his acclaimed Pacific Opera Victoria debut in Rigoletto last season, baritone Grant Youngblood returns to the Royal Theatre as Conte di Luna in Verdi’s Il trovatore.

In a recent interview with the Times Colonist, Grant reflects on revisiting one of Verdi’s great baritone roles, the challenges of bringing complex characters to life, and how working with a new cast brings fresh perspectives to a familiar work.

Experience Il trovatore at the Royal Theatre, October 16, 18, 22 & 24.
Tickets at pacificopera.ca

📷 - Grant Youngblood as the Conte di Luna and Simona Genga as Azucena with members of the Pacific Opera Victoria Chorus in Il trovatore, 2026. Photo by David Cooper

We’re thrilled to welcome Grant Youngblood back to Victoria! Following his acclaimed Pacific Opera Victoria debut in the...
10/13/2026

We’re thrilled to welcome Grant Youngblood back to Victoria! Following his acclaimed Pacific Opera Victoria debut in the title role of Rigoletto, the baritone returns as Conte di Luna in Verdi’s Il trovatore.

Recent engagements include Amonasro in Aïda with Virginia Opera, Scarpia in Tosca with Opera Montana, Sharpless in Madama Butterfly for Florentine Opera and Kentucky Opera, the title role in Rigoletto for Eugene Opera, and the creation of the role of Okhina in the world premiere of Jerod Tate’s Shell Shaker with Canterbury Voices and the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. His recent seasons have also included performances with Opera Delaware, Opera Baltimore, Central City Opera, the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, the Pyxis Piano Trio, and the Navo Ensemble of Omaha. Soon, he takes on a count whose love for Leonora and rivalry with Manrico fuel a dangerous obsession.

Il trovatore | October 16–24, 2026 | pacificopera.ca

📷 - 2nd slide - Grant Youngblood as Rigoletto in Rigoletto, 2025. Pacific Opera Victoria. Photo by David Cooper Photography.

10/10/2026

How do you describe Il trovatore to someone who's never seen an opera before? 🤔

We put the question to our cast and asked them to explain Verdi's tale of love, jealousy, revenge, and family secrets in their own words! Whether you're a lifelong opera lover or thinking about attending your very first performance, there's plenty to discover in Il trovatore.

Il trovatore | October 16–24, 2026
Tickets and details at pacificopera.ca

From opera stages to the imaginative worlds of Cirque du Soleil, Olivier Landreville brings his creative vision back to ...
10/09/2026

From opera stages to the imaginative worlds of Cirque du Soleil, Olivier Landreville brings his creative vision back to Pacific Opera Victoria as the set designer for Verdi's Il trovatore!

A renowned set designer whose work spans theatre, opera, television, and circus, Olivier Landreville is celebrated for his imaginative, story-driven designs. His credits include Carmen, Faust, and La Bohème with Opéra de Montréal, as well as productions with Cirque du Soleil and The 7 Fingers. Olivier returns to Pacific Opera Victoria after making his company debut with Carmen.

Il trovatore | October 16–24, 2026

📷 - 2nd slide - Carolyn Sproule as Carmen and Adam Luther as Don José in Carmen, 2022. Pacific Opera Victoria. Photo by Mackenzie Lawrence

Marcelo Puente makes his company debut as Manrico in Pacific Opera’s Il trovatore! Argentinian-Spanish tenor Marcelo Pue...
10/08/2026

Marcelo Puente makes his company debut as Manrico in Pacific Opera’s Il trovatore!

Argentinian-Spanish tenor Marcelo Puente has performed on leading international stages including the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Opéra national de Paris, Teatro alla Scala, Teatro Colón, Teatro Real, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Canadian Opera Company, and Opera Australia. Renowned for his performances in the spinto-dramatic repertoire, Puente’s roles include Cavaradossi, Don José, Radamès, Don Álvaro, Calaf and Pinkerton. His 2026/27 season includes Cavaradossi in Tosca in Warsaw, Otello with Calgary Opera, and Pinkerton with Greek National Opera.

See Il trovatore at Victoria’s Royal Theatre on October 16, 18, 22, or 24. Tickets start at $35 - choose your performance and join us for Verdi’s soaring arias and unforgettable drama: pacificopera.ca

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925 Balmoral Road
Victoria, BC
V8T1A7

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm

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