Manitoba Opera

10/08/2026

Critically Acclaimed! ⭐⭐ The New York Times named Scott Joplin's Treemonisha: A Musical Reimagining to its Best of 2023 list, while The Globe and Mail called it "intoxicating."

Now you can experience this triumphant 21st-century re-envisioning of Scott Joplin’s groundbreaking opera at the Centennial Concert Hall, November 21, 25, and 27.

Reserve your tickets at mbopera.ca today!

10/07/2026

Take a listen to Gordon Gerrard's interview with Opera Canada!

"Back in Winnipeg, Gordon shares how he plans to listen first, balance classics with contemporary work, and think seriously about what it means to be Manitoba Opera, not just a Winnipeg company."

00:00 – Welcome02:05 – Growing Up Musically in Manitoba05:05 – Co...

10/07/2026

Conversations, concerts and films... our lineup of Opera+ events offer more ways to connect with Scott Joplin's Treemonisha: A Musical Reimagining.

Events are free unless otherwise indicated. Seating is limited, advance registration required. Reserve your spot through at https://mbopera.ca/education-community/for-the-community/opera today!

🎞️Film Screening: The Sting
📆Friday, October 23 | 1 pm
📍Grant Park Shopping Centre, Landmark Cinemas

The movie will be introduced by film enthusiast, journalist, and educator, Alison Gillmor, with a brief presentation about the music of Scott Joplin given by composer and conductor Larry Strachan. Advance registration is required. Limited seating.

🎶Joplin & Jazz (Jazz at the Fort Garry Hotel)
📆Sunday, October 25 | 7 pm
📍Fort Garry Hotel, The Club Room
🎫Advance tickets are $20/person and available from Jazz Winnipeg

Soprano Neema Bickersteth, accompanied by pianist Lisa Rumpel, will be performing songs by Scott Joplin, including excerpts from his opera, Treemonisha, alongside an inventive fusion of jazz, opera, and art song.

Pianist Grant Simpson will also be performing a selection of ragtime, swing, blues, and jazz of the early 20th century, inspired by Joplin and ragtime’s influence on jazz.

🎞️Music Excerpts & Screening of Everyone Loves Joplin
📆Monday, October 26 | 6:30 pm
📍Winnipeg Art Gallery, Muriel Richardson Auditorium

This hour-long documentary explores the life and legacy of musician and composer, Scott Joplin, the king of ragtime and the composer of Treemonisha.

Following the screening, soprano Neema Bickersteth, who stars as Treemonisha, will sing excerpts from the upcoming production.
Event Partner: Prairie Public

🎤Opera Primer
📆Saturday, November 14 | 1 pm
📍Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Classroom

Conductor and composer Larry Strachan sheds some light on this largely overlooked area of Joplin’s output, focusing on his groundbreaking opera Treemonisha.

10/02/2026

On behalf of everyone at Manitoba Opera, I want to express our deep sadness at the passing of Victor Davies. His music, particularly The Mennonite Piano Concerto, became an enduring source of pride for this province and his opera Transit of Venus marked a pivotal moment for Manitoba Opera.

Victor, along with the entire company, demonstrated that ambitious, world-class opera could be created right here in Winnipeg, setting a standard that continues to shape our company.

We extend our deepest condolences to Victor's family, friends and colleagues, and to all those whose lives were touched by his extraordinary music.

-Gordon Gerrard, Artistic Director

📷Slide 1 (l to r): Victor Davies, composer, Maureen Hunter, librettist, and Larry Desrochers, General Director & CEO at the media announcement for the commissioning of Transit of Venus, October, 2006. Photo: R. Tinker

Slides 2 & 3: Transit of Venus, 2007. Photo: R. Tinker

09/29/2026

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a time to honour Residential School survivors, the children who never returned home and to learn more about the history and impacts of the residential school system.

As an organization, Manitoba Opera believes in the power of voice and stories to help us listen, learn and understand experiences beyond our own. This September 30, consider taking time to learn from Indigenous voices and participate in some of the free events happening in Winnipeg:

🧡Orange Shirt Day Healing Walk & Pow Wow
9:30 am: Opening Ceremony at Oodena Circle, The Forks
1 pm: Pow Wow and Grand Entry at Canada Life Centre
Hosted by Southern Chiefs' Organization

Organizations with free programming:

Manitoba Museum | 10am – 4pm
Special programming focused on the history of residential schools and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

FortWhyte Alive | 9am – 5pm
Indigenous-led programming exploring Indigenous history and culture.

Canadian Museum for Human Rights | 10am – 5pm
Special programming and family activities throughout the day.

WAG-Qaumajuq | 5 – 9pm
Final screening of ‘Return to the Falls’.

Learn more about these events by visiting their pages or websites. However you choose to mark the day, we encourage everyone to take the time to listen, learn and reflect.

Other resources:
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Residential School Survivor Support Line: 1-866-925-4419

09/24/2026

Discover another side of the “King of Ragtime.” 🎶

Scott Joplin’s Treemonisha fused classical music with ragtime, gospel, blues, and the sounds of his childhood, creating something revolutionary for its time.

Experience his groundbreaking opera reimagined for the 21st century at the Centennial Concert Hall, November 21, 25, and 27.

Reserve your tickets today! 🎟️

09/21/2026

Buying tickets to Manitoba Opera? Please beware of third-party resellers and make sure you only purchase your tickets at mbopera.ca, our official website.

Things to watch for when purchasing tickets:
💵 Currency. Manitoba Opera tickets are always only in Canadian dollars.
💰Check for tickets fees or high prices. Third-party resale websites may list tickets at inflated prices or with additional service fees. Manitoba Opera tickets only include a $3.50 Centennial Concert Hall fee.

Adult single tickets range from $48 - $200, depending on the section or performance.

💻 Best way to protect your ticket purchase? Visit mbopera.ca or call the Box Office at 204-944-8824.

09/05/2026

Meet Neema Bickersteth💮

Renowned Canadian soprano Neema Bickerseth has performed to great acclaim on some the world's most prestigious stages, including Lincoln Center, Berlin Philharmonie and Canadian Opera Company, among many others.

Neema will be singing Treemonisha in the Western Canadian premiere of Scott Joplin's Treemonisha: A Musical Reimagining, November 21, 25 and 27.

From her favourite comfort food to what celebrity she would like to have dinner with, get to know about bit more about Neema in our latest 'Icebreaker'.

https://ow.ly/6Rv050ZJE0j

09/01/2026

The unexpected loss of the irreplaceable Rob Herriot this summer was deeply felt in Winnipeg's artistic community and across the country.

Rob directed nine productions for Manitoba Opera, including last season's The Marriage of Figaro in April. He always brought his empathy, imagination, humour, and artistry to every production.

To honour his legacy, we invited artists from some of the productions he directed to share their stories, memories, and reflections on a beloved colleague, director, singer, and friend.

Read their reflections at https://ow.ly/ANUw50ZHM52.

📷: Adanya Dunn, Rob Herriot, and Andrea Lett