A Remarkable Month — And What Comes Next
- nebulaperformances
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Nebula Performances Society was honoured to present internationally acclaimed tenor Ian Bostridge, CBE, and pianist Wenwen Du in recital in Ottawa and Vancouver in May 2026, featuring works by Hugo Wolf and Benjamin Britten. Presented at the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre and the Vancouver Playhouse, the performances brought together diverse audiences of artists, students, and music lovers for two deeply expressive evenings of art song, marked by intensity, nuance, and emotional depth. Audience responses reflected the impact of the recitals, with soprano and interpreter Sarah Jorkirsch describing “such an emotional experience,” sharing that she “laughed, cried,” and left with “hope for the future of this incredible repertoire,” while composer Doug Smith praised Wenwen Du’s “subtleties and colours” at the piano and her profound partnership with Ian Bostridge. Another audience member reflected on the experience as “truly fascinating,” noting how the performance conveyed “loneliness, loss, and so much depth even in the silence.”
Further reflections from audience members and colleagues echoed this response. Teresa Lasiuk, Secretary of the Canadian Chopin Society, described Wenwen as “an absolute star” and Ian’s performance as “deeply moving,” noting how the recital “transcends language” and left her “tears streaming down” throughout the evening, while also highlighting the remarkable artistic connection between the performers as “almost supernatural.” Kevin Reeves, Director of Seventeen Voyces, Ottawa, called Ian Bostridge “one of the truly great recitalists of our time,” praising Wenwen Du as “superbly and miraculously accompanied,” and Cara Gilbertson described the duo as having “made magic in Ottawa,” thanking them for bringing the songs “to life in the cracks and crevices.”
Together, these reflections speak to the extraordinary impact of the performances - intimate, searching, and deeply human - where voice and piano met in a level of collaboration that left lasting impressions across both cities.
Coming Up at Nebula: Pagliacci - September 2026
Nebula Performances Society is excited to announce our second fully staged opera production, I Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo. We are currently holding an open casting call for all roles, as well as for an Assistant Stage Director, and are seeking passionate artists to help bring this production to life. Performers will have the opportunity to work alongside acclaimed stage director David Walsh and music director Wenwen Du.
Audition applicants are asked to submit one Italian opera aria and one additional aria of their choosing via YouTube video submission, with select applicants potentially invited for an in-person audition. Performances will take place on August 26, 28, and 30, and September 1, 3, and 5. Applications remain open until June 10 through our JotForm application form.
Jotform link - https://form.jotform.com/261455044348255
Weekly On-Camera Lab with Vanessa Walsh
Weekly On-Camera Lab begins June 2 at Artworks Building (Main St & E 4th Ave). This four-week session offers actors a focused, supportive space to build confidence and precision on camera through weekly practice with current film and television sides. Led by Vanessa Walsh, the lab emphasizes grounded text work, clear objectives, and authentic performance choices, helping actors refine their instincts and develop a reliable on-camera toolkit. With a maximum of 8 actors and 4 auditors per session, this is an intimate working environment designed for consistent growth and practical experience.
The past month has been a remarkable celebration of artistry, mentorship, and community at Nebula Performances. From the acclaimed recitals of Ian Bostridge and Wenwen Du in Ottawa and Vancouver, to the inaugural Art Song Mastercourse and The Art of Song concert, these events brought together audiences, emerging artists, and internationally renowned musicians in a shared exploration of the power of song. The overwhelming response from attendees, participants, and colleagues reaffirmed the enduring impact of art song and collaborative music-making, while highlighting the extraordinary talent within our community. As we look ahead to future projects, including our upcoming production of I Pagliacci, we remain deeply grateful to everyone who joined us, supported us, and helped make these events possible. Your enthusiasm, generosity, and belief in the arts continue to inspire our work and shape the future of Nebula Performances.
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