We have assembled an outstanding creative team for our new production of Nixon in China. I may be the tiniest bit prejudiced, but I don’t think a finer team of creative thinkers or masters of their craft could be brought together.

I am in awe of John DeMain’s musical leadership over the years and of his mastery of new and contemporary works and Michael Cavanagh is one of my absolute favourite directors and creators of new productions. A special tip of the hat to Parvin Mirhady how has run our costume department for years. My respect for her creativity is matched only by my amazement for her speed under pressure!

Last week I spoke about the production of Nixon; today I am pleased to introduce to you those whose imagination and skill are bringing it to life:


Conductor – John DeMain
John DeMain served as Music Director and Principal Conductor for the Houston Grand Opera for eighteen years during which he led a history-making production of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, which moved from HGO to Broadway; he recorded it for RCA and it won Grammy and Tony Awards and France’s Grand Prix du Disque. He also conducted the world première of Leonard Bernstein’s A Quiet Place, and Nixon in China. He is the Artistic Director of Madison Opera and Music Director of the Madison Symphony


Director – Michael Cavanagh
Michael is one of Canada’s most versatile and popular opera interpreters. Early in his career he was Resident Assistant Director with Vancouver Opera for two seasons and was the Artistic Director of Edmonton Opera from 1998 to 2001. Since 1996, he has directed productions for every professional opera company in Canada. In 2006 he made his début at Covent Garden with his production of a new chamber opera, The Midnight Court.


Set Designer – Erhard Rom
Erhard Rom has designed over 100 productions in the US and two of his designs were featured in the ’07 Prague Quadrennial, the world’s pre-eminent scenographic exhibition. Recent projects include Jane Eyre for Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Volpone and L’Etoile for Wolf Trap Opera and The Tales of Hoffmann for Virginia Opera.


Costume Designer– Parvin Mirhady
Parvin has been head of Vancouver Opera's costume department for more than thirty productions over eight years and has designed many costumes for principal singers during the last four seasons. For ten years she had a successful business making and designing her own line of clothing. She has extensive experience in the film industry and she belongs to the AITC and ACFC.


Lighting Designer – Harry Frehner
An acclaimed lighting designer for more than two and a half decades, Harry Frehner has designed more than 250 productions, including works for theatre, dance and opera companies throughout Canada and the United States. In 2003, Harry was awarded the Canadian Institute of Theatre Technology Professional Achievement Award.


Video Designer – Sean Nieuwenhuis
A multi-media and video designer and producer, Sean has applied his skills to a variety of corporate, charitable and theatrical events. His work in theatre will be seen this season for the Stratford Festival’s production of My One and Only. Other credits include Vancouver Opera’s The Threepenny Opera and The Magic Flute.


Choreographer – Wen Wei Wang
Born in China, Wen Wei Wang started dancing at age 13. He began his professional career with the Lanzhou Song and Dance Company. He came to Canada in 1991; in 2000 he received the Clifford E. Lee Award for Choreography and created, among other pieces, Snow, which was performed at the Banff Dance Festival and remounted for Alberta Ballet.

~ James W. Wright, General Director