We’re Open! Pagliacci Has Taken the Stage

nebulaperformances
4 days ago
4 min read

Two performances down, and what a beginning!

We’ve officially opened Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci at Nebula Performances, with both our Luna and Stella casts taking the stage over our opening performances.

The stage has been electrifying, the emotions overflowing, and there has been an immediate connection between our performers and audiences in Nebula’s intimate setting. With every seat bringing you closer to the action, audiences are placed right inside the drama and inside the play within a play.

And now, we’re thrilled to share some of the first responses to the production!

Pagliacci in the Press

We’re delighted to have been featured by BroadwayWorld, with a new review and preview of Nebula’s production of Pagliacci.

Read the full article

What Our Audiences Are Saying

“Huge congratulations on an amazing performance! You were all absolute stellar on stage and completely brought the house down. Bravo!”

And from opening night:

“Front row seats on Opening Night for this exceptional production of the iconic Opera called I Pagliacci produced by Nebula Performances. The leading cast members are amazing... and an excellent Ensemble. I was very impressed and plan to see it again before the end of their run on September 5th. I encourage everybody to go and check out the show.”

— Gregg Schiller

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has come through our doors, shared their reactions, and supported these artists and this production.

Meet Tonio

Originally from Nanaimo, B.C., bass-baritone Liam Robertson is delighted to join Nebula Performances as Tonio in I Pagliacci. A graduate of the Master’s program in Opera Performance, Liam has performed with Opera Nanaimo, Burnaby Lyric Opera, Vancouver Opera, and the Vancouver Symphony. His recent roles include Sarastro in The Magic Flute, Frank in Street Scene, Bartolo in The Marriage of Figaro, Vodník in Rusalka, and Harasta in The Cunning Little Vixen.

“I am looking forward to debuting the role of Tonio with Nebula! Working in an intimate space was at first challenging, but it lends itself well for Pagliacci. Working with Wenwen Du and David Walsh was a fantastic experience.” - Liam Robertson

Jealous. Bitter. Unpredictable. Tonio is one of the most complex characters in I Pagliacci—driven by rejection, resentment, and a desire for revenge. Liam brings remarkable intensity and depth to the role, capturing Tonio’s darker side with a performance that is impossible to look away from.

Meet Beppe

A pianist, singer, and passionate educator, Ming-Xuan Chung brings a unique musical perspective to the role of Beppe in I Pagliacci.

Ming-Xuan began his musical journey at the piano at age six, eventually completing his LTCL in Piano Performance. His love for singing and opera began with the SFU Choir and the UBC Summer Voice Workshop. He recently completed his MMUS in Opera Performance at UBC and has performed with companies including Burnaby Lyric Opera, Fraser Valley Musical Theatre, Theatre in the Country, North Shore Light Opera Society, and NUOVA Vocal Arts. His operatic highlights include Sam Kaplan in Street Scene, Frederik in Pirates of Penzance, Ralph Rackstraw in H.M.S Pinafore, Monostatos in Die Zauberflöte, and Basilio and Don Curzio in Le Nozze di Figaro. In 2025, he toured China with the UBC Opera Ensemble as Zhou Chong in Thunderstorm.

As Beppe, Ming-Xuan brings a playful energy to the troupe—expect plenty of charm, character, and a few moments of fun amid the drama!

“I am thrilled to be a part of Nebula Performances Society’s production of Pagliacci. This is an exciting new venue in Vancouver, and I feel very fortunate to be part of their second opera production. It will be a dream to work with the internationally acclaimed pianist Wenwen Du as Musical Director and to reconnect with the fabulous Stage Director David Walsh.”

— Ming-Xuan Chung

Meet Beppe

Kevin Liu is a tenor based in Vancouver, B.C., bringing a wealth of experience as both a performer and music educator to the role of Beppe in I Pagliacci.

Kevin holds a Master of Music in Opera Performance and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of British Columbia, as well as an ARCT in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music. His operatic credits include Monostatos in Die Zauberflöte, Lippo Fiorentino in Street Scene, Spärlich in The Merry Wives of Windsor, and the Gamekeeper in Rusalka in the Czech Republic. Most recently, he returned from a month-long tour across China, performing the role of Chong in Thunderstorm. Beyond the opera stage, Kevin has appeared as a concert soloist with Nebula Performances, Opera Kelowna, the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra, and Vancouver Bach Choir.

“I’m so excited to be a part of Nebula’s production of I Pagliacci. It’s great to meet and work with so many singers. I went to university with many of the cast members, and I’m so happy to reunite to sing with them again.” - Kevin Liu

Behind the Scenes

A special moment from last night with mezzo-soprano Judith Forst, alongside Nebula Performances Society President & Executive Producer Alice Chee and Director Lynol Amero.

We were also thrilled to have members of our artistic and creative team together, including Artistic Director WenWen Du, tenor David Meek, tenor Wanshuai Yu (Canio), and Stage Director David Walsh.