In December 2023, Pacific Opera Victoria (POV) announced the nomi-nation of Canadian stage director Brenna Corner as Artistic Director and confirmed long-term Associate Giuseppe Pietraroia as Principal Conductor. This announcement signalled a major shift in leadership after the departure of founding Artistic Director Timothy Vernon, who had been at the helm for 43 years, making POV a success with audacious programming and a deliberate wish to showcase Canadian talent.
I met with CEO Ian Rye who confirmed that the company had indeed limited the search for an Artistic Director to Canadians, permanent residents, or individuals with a significant history of working in Canadian opera; an opera practitioner, whether in performance, voice, musicianship, conducting, stage directing, stage management, writing or composing. Most importantly, they wanted somebody who would make Victoria their home and priority. They found what they were looking for.
At 37, Brenna Corner has built an impressive portfolio as stage director. Born and raised in Southern Alberta, Brenna grew up in theatre. Her mother was a costume designer and her father a carpenter in the theatre shop. Attracted by musical theatre, she was dreaming of a
