Vancouver Opera Orchestra

Vancouver Opera is proud to be served by one of only two professional opera orchestras in Canada. Founded in 1977 under the leadership of its inaugural Music Director, Richard Bonynge, the Vancouver Opera Orchestra brings together many of the region’s finest musicians and has earned recognition for its artistry and command of the distinctive demands of operatic pit performance.

The orchestra made its debut in 1977 with Massenet’s Le Roi de Lahore, starring Joan Sutherland and conducted by Bonynge. Several musicians from that inaugural production continue to perform with the orchestra today, reflecting a remarkable continuity within the ensemble. The company’s music directors have included David Agler (1992–1999), Jonathan Darlington (2002–2018, now Music Director Emeritus), and Jacques Lacombe (since 2023).