New Rose-Ellen Nichols Award memorializes Coast Salish mezzo soprano
The annual award will alternate between voice and costume recognitions, with an emphasis on Indigenous culture
Rose-Ellen Nichols, a pioneer in the field of Indigenous opera, died in late January after a long battle with cancer.
A NEW AWARD will ensure the legacy of late Vancouver mezzo-soprano Rose-Ellen Nichols lives on.
Named for the renowned Canadian Coast Salish mezzo-soprano, it will annually recognize one promising Canadian artist, age 18 to 40, who is pursuing a career in opera performance or in costume design.
Nichols passed away in late January after a long battle with cancer. Her career had taken her from small Pender Harbour to a master’s degree in opera from UBC, and then to stages from Vancouver to the Czech Republic, Ireland, Germany, and beyond. She was a trailblazer in Indigenous stories on the opera stage, helping to bring to life groundbreaking works such as Marie Clements’ Missing and Margaret Atwood’s Pauline.
The Rose-Ellen Nichols Award recognizes two areas of distinction in the artist’s life. It will alternate annually, supporting one promising Canadian artist in active pursuit of a career or education in one of the two areas each year.
The voice award is open to all voice types in opera and concert repertoire, emphasizing unique and independent projects and studies, with special consideration being given to those addressing Indigenous cultures and issues.
The costume award will emphasize the design and construction of striking costumes in opera and theatre, with special consideration being given to projects incorporating Indigenous design elements.
Application criteria and forms are now being prepared, and will be published at https://www.facebook.com/RoseEllenNicholsAward once available.
Tax-deductible gifts are now being received in trust by City Opera Vancouver, a company with which Nichols was long associated.
A new society will eventually be created to manage the award, and a jury will be formed to receive, adjudicate, and make the award. The first year will be dedicated to voice, with plans to announce the winner in February 2023. Renowned Canadian mezzo-soprano Judith Forst has already stepped up to serve on the jury.
In the meantime, donations can be sent online here or by cheque to City Opera Vancouver In Trust, with the memo line "Rose-Ellen Nichols Award”, c/o City Opera Vancouver, PO Box 88393, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6A 4A6.
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