A new general director can change the feel of an opera company long before their first programmed season arrives. We’re joined by Ian Derrer, newly arrived in Toronto and stepping into leadership at the Canadian Opera Company, to talk about the path that brought him here and what he’s listening for as he gets to know the COC from the inside.

Ian shares how growing up around rehearsals turned into a career that moved from singing ambitions to backstage work, stage management and ultimately opera administration at major institutions. We dig into what opera leadership really looks like day-to-day: solving immediate problems, planning multiple seasons years in advance, and keeping artists and staff supported while the organization also has to fundraise, market and build public trust.

We also spotlight what’s coming up, including the world premiere of Empire of Wild and why new opera is both exhilarating and high risk, with creative teams building the work in real time and fewer safety nets when something goes sideways. From beloved standard repertoire to personal bucket-list titles, Ian gives a candid look at how taste, feasibility and community impact collide in season planning.

Finally, we tackle the big question: what makes the Canadian Opera Company a national opera company, and what responsibility comes with that label across Canada’s opera ecosystem.

All episodes of The Opera Glasses podcast are hosted by the editor of Opera Canada, currently Michael Jones after Elizabeth Bowman hosted seasons 1 and 2. Follow Opera Canada on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Visit OperaCanada.ca for all of your Canadian Opera news and reviews.