Hamilton Opera Company

The Hamilton Opera Company was founded in 1961 by the soprano June Kowalchuk and the former D'Oyly Carte singer Clifford Cox. Its first production was The Gypsy Baron at Hill Park High School. In nine years of activity, productions of works by Johann Strauss, Romberg, Smetana, Puccini, Mascagni, and Bizet were conducted by George Crum, Lee Hepner, and William Santor. Beset by the lack of a suitable theatre, of local musicians experienced in opera, and of funds to correct such deficiencies, the company tried to survive through collaboration with the Mohawk College Opera Workshop, mounting at the college productions of Die Fledermaus (1970-71) and The Bartered Bride (1971-72). After 1972 the company disbanded, and its supporting body, the Hamilton Opera Corporation, transferred its help to Mohawk College's opera productions.