(Credit: Calgary Opera official website)

Calgary Opera has announced that the Emerging Artist Development Program will now officially be named after its late General Director and CEO W.R. (Bob) McPhee.

McPhee passed away on March 13, 2021, after a long battle with cancer. His 19-year tenure with the Calgary Opera included commissioning six new works for opera, as well as produced numerous premieres in Canada.

“Bob was a great champion for Canadian artists and believed that Canadian talent deserved to be nurtured, showcased, and celebrated here at home. Our artist development program is the embodiment of these beliefs, and we are proud to honor his legacy with this new name,” said Manager of the McPhee Artist Development Program Mel Kirby.

The 2021-22 ensemble of McPhee Artists includes sopranos Juliana Krajčovič and Eden Tremayne, mezzo-sopranos Simran Claire and Alanna Fraize, tenors Tayte Mitchell and Jeffrey Strand, baritone Jeremy Dubé, and bass-baritone Dominic Veilleux.

The McPhee Artists will take part in the upcoming premiere of Ravel’s “L’enfant et les sortilèges” at the Mamdani Opera Centre between Dec. 10 – 12, 2021.