About

I’m a Canadian opera singer. I can’t tell if that makes me more interesting as a mere curiosity or genuinely fascinating to those who read this. But hey since you’re here…! Having just closed the chapter of my life titled, “Young Artist”, I’ll use this blog to chronicle my triumphs, struggles, laughs and freakouts for you lovely people who choose to spend time here. I’ll try and keep things simple, readable, and hopefully not too preachy. Rather prone to preachy, this guy. Enjoy!

Official(ly long) Bio:

Aaron Durand began his journey intending to become a broadway star, and really didn’t like opera. But when he was offered a chorus position for Eugene Onegin in Victoria, everything changed. The opening lines carved a new path into the future, bright with promise.

An alumnus of UBC, Aaron holds a Master’s degree in Opera Performance, working under the tutelage of famed Canadian baritone Peter Barcza and the considerable directorial prowess of Nancy Hermiston. With the UBC Opera Ensemble, Aaron had the privilege of performing all over Vancouver, as well as across the world, from Chengdu to Prague, Shanghai to Campbellford, Ontario.

As part of his training, Aaron had the privilege of performing roles across the entire operatic spectrum, including Guglielmo (Cosi fan tutte), Danilo (The Merry Widow), John A. MacDonald (Louis Riel), Thomas Putnam (The Crucible), the Gamekeeper (Rusalka), Pandolfe (Cendrillon), and a personal favourite, the Count (Le nozze di Figaro). As part of the Ensemble’s summer program, he travelled to the Czech Republic three summers in a row to perform the leading roles of Papageno (The Magic Flute) and Schaunard (La Boheme) in theatres across the country.

Aaron graduated in 2012 and was granted a spot in Vancouver Opera’s newly minted Yulanda M. Faris program. From 2012-2014, Aaron performed numerous roles with VO to much acclaim, including Schaunard (La Boheme), Samuel (The Pirates of Penzance), Speaker (The Magic Flute), Sid (Albert Herring), and Masetto (Don Giovanni). Simultaneously, he was committed to building a reputation as an independant artist, performing work both classic and contemporary across the Lower Mainland, with highlights including Silvio (I Pagliacci) with Burnaby Lyric Opera, and workshopping exciting new music by local composer David MacIntyre. He is also deeply grateful to have performed the role Javan in “When the Sun Comes Out”, Leslie Uyeda’s magnificent opera, for the Vancouver Queer Arts Festival.

Moving to Toronto in 2014, Aaron began a new chapter of life by playing the “guileless and loveable” (Opera Going Toronto) Masetto in Against the Grain Theatre’s visionary reimagining of Don Giovanni, which was also received with great acclaim in Banff and Ottawa. This was followed by several exciting workshops with both Tapestry and Against the Grain. Aaron is quickly establishing himself as a reliable and passionate artist, committed to innovation and accessibility. He is dedicated to exploring the work of Canadian composers, and intent on delivering good music to new audiences wherever, whenever, and however he can. You can find him on both Twitter and Instagram @Gingervanni.