Longtime artistic director of Manitoba Opera dies in Vancouver

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This article was published 10/12/2014 (3422 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Irving Guttman, a longtime artistic director of Manitoba Opera, died in Vancouver this week at the age of 86 after a lengthy illness.

Known as the father of Western Canadian opera, Guttman also established companies in Vancouver, Edmonton and Regina. Manitoba Opera hired him in 1973 to direct the company’s first full production, Madame Butterfly, and in 1977 was appointed artistic director, a position he held until 1998.

“Irving Guttman was truly a pioneer,” says Larry Desrochers, Manitoba Opera’s general director and CEO. “It’s quite likely that opera in Western Canada would not have grown so quickly as it did without his involvement. He leaves a legacy unmatched in this country.”

He directed 36 Manitoba Opera productions and was instrumental in developing the singing talents of performers such as Tracy Dahl, Richard Margison and Ben Heppner as well as guiding the careers of Maureen Forrester, Judith Forst and Philip Enns.

“Dr. Irving Guttman was my mentor and friend,” says Dahl. “I owe a great deal of gratitude for the number of opportunities he gave me here in Winnipeg and Edmonton. I feel his loss terribly.”