Desautels Chamber Opera Group Stages Canadian Premiere of Handel’s Arminio

The Desautels Chamber Opera Group will present the Canadian premiere of Handel’s rarely performed opera Arminio this Friday and Saturday at the Desautels Concert Hall, offering audiences a modern, resonant take on the 18th-century work.

The Desautels Chamber Opera Group is preparing to bring Handel’s Arminio to the stage this weekend, marking the opera’s long-awaited Canadian premiere. The production will be staged at the Desautels Concert Hall, a new venue celebrated for its exceptional acoustics and intimate atmosphere—an ideal setting for the emotional depth and musical detail that Arminio demands.

This performance also highlights the hall’s advanced projection technology, with imagery and artwork woven throughout the production to enhance the storytelling.

Originally set during the Roman Empire’s attempted conquest of Germanic territories in 9 CE, Arminio explores themes of resistance, loyalty, love, and betrayal. Director Katherine Twaddle draws strong connections between the opera’s ancient conflicts and modern-day global tensions, updating the setting and incorporating contemporary costumes to underscore the narrative’s relevance.

The cast is made up of talented young vocalists—primarily Master’s students in Vocal Performance—supported by a chamber orchestra of Desautels Faculty of Music instrumentalists. With Handel’s expressive arias and dramatic musical writing, the production serves as a showcase for the faculty’s rising artists.

Performances will take place on:

Friday, November 21, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. – Desautels Concert Hall

Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. – Desautels Concert Hall

Tickets are priced at $25 for general admission and $12 for students, and can be purchased online or at the door.