Richard Bradshaw. Image: cbc.ca

VoCA joins all of Canada in mourning the sudden death of Richard Bradshaw, the conductor and general director of the Canadian Opera Company.

Mr. Brashaw had just won what he called “the Thirty Years’ War”, completing the building of Toronto’s new opera house, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, designed by Diamond & Schmitt Architects.

The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto. Image: torontolife.com

“Everything in Canada is in place — we could lead the world artistically,” Mr. Bradshaw had said. “We are a great and rich country and getting richer, but we have Third World investment in the arts.”

He was leading the change…let’s hope it continues apace without him.