Toronto Operetta Theatre Tickets | Schedule for 2024/2025 Events

Toronto Operetta Theatre

The only professional operetta company in Canada is the Toronto Operetta Theater. In 1985, TOT premiered with productions of THE COUNT OF LUXEMBOURG by Lehar. In 1989, it became a non-profit performing arts group. Since then, there have been more than 58 operetta productions.

In 1989, a concert series called "Sunday Matinee" was started to look at the music of composers like Ivor Novello, Franz von Suppé, Kurt Weill, Reynaldo Hahn, Victor Herbert, Edward German, and Leo Fall. The number of shows increased from four to twenty-one, and the repertoire shifted from being composed primarily of European works to including lyrical theater works from Latin America, Spain, the United States, and Canada.

History of Toronto Operetta Theater

The Toronto Operetta Theatre (TOT) has worked hard for 25 seasons to improve the art of the "light opera."

While Silva-Marin, the theater's general director, and his backers may have started small, they have big dreams for the art form that he believes is the parent of the American musical operetta.

At first, TOT performers practiced at the OMTA near Yonge and Bloor streets, but Silva-Marin soon moved his new business to his home office in Leslieville. Performers then started practicing for shows at his house, church basements, different halls, and when they could afford it, at the Canadian Opera Company.

Silva-Marin found a space for rent near Queen Street East and Carlaw Avenue in south Riverdale just over five years ago. After spending $30,000 to fix water damage and make the space usable, both companies were ready to move into their new home, which has office space and a large, bright rehearsal hall.

Silva-Marin was pleased to report that over the course of TOT's 25 seasons, the company performed everything from traditional Viennese operettas to traditional Spanish zarzuelas, from traditional French opera bouffe to traditional American musicals with operetta-like themes.

In 2001, the company put on a four-act play called Leo, the Royal Cadet. Oscar Ferdinand Telemann wrote an opera about the military in Canada in 1889 in Kingston, ON. The company is putting on this operetta again on Feb. 17, 19, 20, and 21.

TOT held a two-day Silver Jubilee Gala Benefit Concert in November. At the anniversary party, 25 artists each played one of the 25 most memorable songs written for the lyric stage.

Silva-Marin said that he hopes the TOT Silver Jubilee Book, a 160-page book about the company's history over the last 25 years will be enjoyed by the audience.