The Bicycle Opera Project

two wheels and a sense of adventure

Designed to bring contemporary Canadian music to smaller communities where there is little opportunity to hear it, our company closes the gap between audiences and singers by performing in intimate spaces. We perform new Canadian works that focus on current issues, in English.

Even though the Canadian music world has many talented composers, the mainstream public knows little of their exciting new work. We work directly with composers to rearrange works for a small, portable instrumental ensemble that can be toured on bicycle, creating a car-free alternative to touring.

Bicycle Opera was founded in 2012 by Larissa Koniuk and Nadia Chana, two young singers who decided to fuse their love of opera and that of cycling. Since 2012, the company has grown considerably, but maintains its environmentally-friendly roots and creates productions that are renowned for their fresh and inventive style.

“I think the only fitting description is ‘wow.’ It rewards opera fans while simultaneously giving an engaging, memorable introduction for newbies. I’d recommend you act fast and see this one, before it heads on its way.” – Mooney on Theatre

The Bicycle Opera Project has been met with tremendous praise from audiences, media, and critics alike.  We have been followed on the road by CBC’s The National, Al Jazeera, CTV and TFO.

“…we’re in tuneful territory, fully intelligible, and watching performances that are complete commitment for every second of this work.” –Barcza Blog

The Bicycle Opera Project is also a proud member of Indie Opera T.O., a collective of small but mighty Toronto-based opera companies that are working together to revitalize an age-old art form. Find out more about Indie Opera T.O. 

As a touring company that gets around on two wheels, the Bicycle Opera Project is all about essentials — getting maximum dramatic impact with a minimum of means

John Terauds

The productions are stripped down for the sake of mobility, which leads to lean and accessible presentations.

The Globe and Mail