One of Canada’s leading opera conductors, Tyrone Paterson has held the position of Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of Opera Lyra Ottawa since 1998. Under his guidance, Opera Lyra Ottawa has become a highly respected company in Canada and abroad. Maestro Paterson possesses extensive knowledge of the operatic repertory and has appeared with opera companies and orchestras throughout Canada, the United States, Asia and Europe. His first appearance with Opera Lyra Ottawa was in 1994 conducting Tosca and he has since led many of the company’s greatest successes. He also currently serves as Music Advisor and Principal Conductor for Manitoba Opera. He previously served as Resident Conductor for Calgary Opera and as an Advisor to Opera Hong Kong.

Notable Guest Conducting appearances abroad include: The Magic Flute for the Beijing Music Festival; Medea by Pacini with the Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana in Palermo and at the Greek Theatre in Taormina, Italy; Verdi’s rarely performed opera Giovanna d’Arco in the Czech Republic; Borodin’s Russian masterpiece Prince Igor for the National Theater of Moravia-Silesia; Rigoletto and La Traviata for Opera Constanta in Romania; and Tosca at the Opern Air festival in Austria. Other european engagements include a highly regarded production of Bartók’s Blue Beard’s Castle and performances of Jenufa for the Hukvaldy Festival in the hometown of the famous Czech composer Leos Janácek. In addition to opera performances, he has led concerts for numerous orchestras most recently including the Orchestra Sinfonica di San Remo in Italy; an All-Mozart Gala for Cracow Opera in Poland; a gala concert in the Czech Republic and in Asia performances of Mendelssohn’s “Lobgesang,” for the International Macau Festival.

Maestro Paterson has appeared with most of Canada’s professional companies.  Notable appearances in Canada include Rigoletto for Montreal Opera, Salome for Manitoba Opera, Turandot for Vancouver Opera, Il trovatore featuring Richard Margison for Manitoba Opera, Cav/Pag for Edmonton Opera, a gala concert for Opera de Quebec, La Voix humaine/Le Portrait de Manon for Opera Ontario, Hansel and Gretel for Calgary Opera as well as Eugene Onegin featuring Russell Braun for Opera Lyra Ottawa and Manon (concert version) starring Michael Schade and Natalie Paulin.

Most recently for OLO, he led its stunning production of Lucia di Lammermoor starring Lyubov Petrova which was broadcast on CBC Radio.

Recent appearances in the United States include: Il barbiere di Siviglia and Lucia di Lammermoor (with Korean star Sumi Jo) for Opera Carolina; Don Giovanni, Turandot and La traviata for Hawaii Opera Theater;  Madama Butterfly, The Pirates of Penzance and Carmen for Fresno Grand Opera; and Aïda for the Nashville Opera.

Upcoming engagements include: Rigoletto for Manitoba Opera, La Tragédie de Carmen for Highland Opera Studios and La traviata (in concert) for Opera Lyra Ottawa. 

Maestro Paterson is proud to have collaborated with the majority of Canada’s leading singers including Ben Heppner, Richard Margison, Michael Schade, Russell Braun, Louis Quilico, Judith Forst, Ermanno Mauro, Alan Monk, Tracy Dahl and many others.  In addition, Maestro Paterson is recognized for his commitment to creating performance opportunities for young Canadian rising opera stars and has been instrumental in creating the OLO Opera Studio and school touring programs.

For more information visit his web site at http://www.tyronepaterson.com/

“No doubt, OLO’s traditional strength is in the pit and it was no different on opening night as maestro Tyrone Paterson, celebrating 10 years with the company, kept the National Arts Centre Orchestra humming.” …Ottawa Sun/Don Giovanni

“Conductor Tyrone Paterson brought the music together most convincingly.”…Opera Canada/Otello

“The timing and balance between the singers and the members of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in the pit was nothing less than superb.”…Opera Canada

“Conductor Tyrone Paterson fostered an intelligent and evocative account of the score. The National Arts Centre Orchestra played beautifully.”…The Ottawa Citizen

“…Maestro Paterson and the NACO are faultless with a tremendously challenging score.”… Ottawa Sun

“Veteran opera conductor Tyrone Paterson urged the most out of a very bright and alert-sounding Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.”…Winnipeg Free Press