Meet the Cast

David Walsh, Director

Toronto-born stage director David Walsh earned a degree in Political Science and Economics before being lured away to the world of theatre through his passion for opera. Since then, his career has taken him around the globe, directing for such companies as Scottish Opera, the Royal Opera (Covent Garden), Paris Opera, Opera National de Lyon, Deutsche Oper am Rhein and, in North America, Calgary Opera, Opera Lyra (Ottawa), San Diego Opera, Tulsa Opera, and Vancouver Opera. From 1984-1987, David Walsh was Assistant Artistic Director of Vancouver Opera. Since 2002, he has been Director of Opera Theatre at the University of Minnesota, School of Music. In 2024, David Walsh began teaching in China during the summer and, this past June, he completed a 10-city tour of Chinese universities and music conservatories.
Last August marked his professional return to Vancouver with the production of La Tragedie de Carmen for Nebula Performances, this bright new star in the musical firmament of Vancouver. Since its establishment in 2024 under the inspired artistic direction of pianist WenWen Du and wise management of Producer Alice Chee and Technical Director Lynol Amero, Nebula Performances has emerged as an exciting and innovative force on the Vancouver musical scene. Returning now for his second production with Nebula, David is more impressed than ever by the talented young singers the company has assembled, advancing its mission to promote the development of Canadian artists and provide them with opportunities to perform for the Vancouver music-loving public. This is a win-win situation for the Vancouver region and David Walsh is thrilled at the opportunity to contribute to the growing reputation of Nebula Performances!

Wenwen Du, Music Director

Wenwen Du is one of Canada's most accomplished pianists, and one of its most enterprising: a performer, musical director, and artist presenter whose work spans concert stages across three continents. In 2024, she channeled that career into a new mission: co-founding Nebula Performances in Vancouver, a home for musical community.

Nebula Performances is "certainly a place that births new stars." (Opera Canada) Serving as Artistic Director since its 2024 launch, Du has curated concerts, masterclasses, workshops, and was Music Director for a full operatic production of La Tragédie de Carmen with stage director David Walsh, praised for its "fresh and contemporary relevance." (Opera Canada) Through the Nebula International Vocal Workshop, Chamber Workshop, Summer MusicFest, and Pianist Programme, Du and Nebula President Alice Chee have built a platform oriented around collaboration rather than competition, where they welcome emerging and established artists alike.

Whether performing on the international stage or mentoring the next generation of musicians at Nebula Performances, Du is dedicated to building community, bringing people together, and creating accessibility in classical music for everyone.

ost enterprising: a performer, musical director, and artist presenter whose work spans concert stages across three continents. In 2024, she channeled that career into a new mission: co-founding Nebula Performances in Vancouver, a home for musical community.