Photo: Michael Cooper

Canadian Opera Company’s world premiere of Rufus Wainwright’s Hadrian has been nominated in seven categories for the 40^th Anniversary Dora Mavor Moore Awards. Additionally, Hampson has been nominated in the “Outstanding Performance of an Individual” category for his performance in the title role. The Dora Mavor Moore Awards recognizes excellence in professional theatre, dance, and opera in Toronto.

On Tuesday, June 25 at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 49 Dora Mavor Moore Awards, the Silver Ticket Award, and the Jon Kaplan Audience Choice Award will be presented. Hampson garnered critical praise from audiences and critics for his performance in Peter Hinton’s monumental production:

“In the title role, Thomas Hampson is stellar. His strong body, handsome face, and kind smile is suited perfectly to the beloved Emperor. He plays his Hadrian as proper, reserved, and polite yet with this undercurrent of charisma roiling beneath the surface. The singing is outstanding. Often skirting the line between operatic and musical theatre production (similar to Wainwright’s score), Hampson takes us on a viable emotional journey in an accessible and visceral way; his aria in Act II reveals layer after layer of a man torn between honoring his true self and the conquering, ever-masculine Roman Emperor at the time of Jesus’s rise to prominence.” (Schmopera)

Hadrian nominations:

Outstanding Production
Outstanding New Opera – writer Daniel MacIvor and composer Rufus Wainwright
Outstanding Performance of an Individual – Ambur Braid
Outstanding Performance of an Individual – Thomas Hampson
Scenic Design – Michael Gianfrancesco;
Projection Design – Laurie-Shawn Borzovoy
Outstanding Costume Design – Gillian Gallow
Outstanding Lighting Design – Bonnie Beecher