PAST PRODUCTIONS

The Amy Ferguson Institute’s production company, Nelson Community Opera, mounts annual productions of opera and musical theatre showcasing entirely local artists, directors, designers and technicians in all aspects of its shows.

The Institute itself often collaborates with other local musical organizations and ensembles to mount concerts and festivals.  AFI has also commissioned and premiered two major vocal works, Echoes of the Mountains, scored for soprano, adult and youth chorus and orchestra and KHAOS, a full-length opera re-imagining the Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone in a contemporary world of climate change and global catastrophe, both created by Nelson-based composer, Don Macdonald.

AFI regularly supports and mounts  musical productions that showcase the rich  talent in our area.  Our opera company, Nelson Community Opera has mounted annual productions of opera and musical theatre since its inception in 1996.  These include:

• Operas – La Boheme, the Merry Widow, Cavalaria Rusticana, the Magic Flute, the Marriage of Figaro, Hansel and Gretel, Die Fledermaus and Orfeo and Euridice, as well as our commissioned opera, KHAOS; world premiere of Jorinda.
• Musicals – Sweeney Todd, You Never Know, Three Penny Opera, Little Shop of Horrors, Into the Woods, The Armed Man (2013), Jesus Christ Superstar (2014), Jorinda (2016), and Carmina Burana (2017).

AFI also presents choral concerts and workshops, often in collaboration with other local musical organizations and ensembles.

• Choral Music Festivals, Choral Weekend with guest conductor Marc Hafso (2016)