It’s been fascinating to discover pianist Wenwen Du, who seems to be making a splash around the world as a collaborative pianist and as the artistic director of Nebula Performances. I found an amazing solo performance that she gave, playing the finale to Beethoven’s Appassionata that I have to share, as good as any version I’ve ever heard of this difficult virtuoso piece.
But she is both a pianist and a collaborative artist. Her May appearances with tenor Ian Bostridge in Ottawa & Vancouver were rapturously received.
Now she and the Nebula Performances team are preparing a production of Leoncavallo’s opera I Pagliacci, to open later in August. I wanted to find out more.
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Barczablog – Are you more like your father or your mother?
Wenwen Du: Definitely my father.
I think I’ve also grown into someone quite different from both of my parents. I left my hometown at a young age to study in another city, so I didn’t actually spend much of my formative years at home with family.
BB – What is the best or worst thing about what you do?
Wenwen Du: For me, the best and the hardest parts of what I do are inseparable.
The best part, without question, is being on stage. The hardest part is everything that leads up to it. The preparation can be long, demanding, and often far less glamorous than the performance itself. In the moment, it isn’t always the most enjoyable part. But once the concert or project is over, I almost always find myself looking back on that journey with a different perspective. The rehearsals, the last-minute problems, the endless details, they’re not always enjoyable in the moment, but afterwards I realize they’re all part of the story behind the performance.
Another part of my work that I treasure is bringing people together. I love creating opportunities for artists to meet, collaborate, exchange ideas, and grow alongside one another. Seeing those artistic connections take root is every bit as rewarding as being on stage myself.
BB – What ability or skill do you wish you had that you don’t have?
Wenwen Du: There are so many things I’d still love to learn.
One area is technology. I sometimes wish I had learned more about computers, media, and the technical side of producing performances earlier in my career, especially as technology becomes more ingrained in the music business.
Fortunately, I have an incredible team at Nebula Performances and wonderful friends who are incredibly patient and always willing to help me.
BB – When you’re relaxing and not working, what do you enjoy doing?
Wenwen Du: I actually have a long list!
I love watching movies, visiting art galleries, reading, and gardening. I enjoy long walks, discovering little cafés and local markets, and even sometimes just doing something completely spontaneous. Some of my favourite memories have come from plans I never made. I think there’s something wonderful about wandering and letting curiosity lead the way.
BB – What was the first melody you remember?
Wenwen Du: Probably Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Like many children, I first knew it as the melody of the English alphabet song, long before I learned that it was Mozart’s Ah vous dirai-je, Maman.
BB – Tell us about starting Nebula Performances.
Wenwen Du: I co-founded Nebula Performances in Vancouver with industrial entrepreneur Alice Cheetogether with our Director, Lynol Amero, who also designed our performance hall.
We wanted to create a community (Haus Der Kunst) that many of us wished we’d had at the beginning of our careers; a place where artists could grow together, learn from one another, and feel genuinely supported. I’ve been incredibly fortunate throughout my own journey to learn from extraordinary mentors and collaborate with inspiring artists. One of my greatest hopes for Nebula is to bring those inspiring artists together with the young artists, and create opportunities for young artists to learn directly from established musicians and help that tradition of mentorship to continue.
My hope is that Nebula will always be a home for artists. Whether someone is taking their very first steps onto the stage or already has an international career, we want them to know they have a place here.
Our mission is to create opportunities for performance, collaboration, mentorship, and artistic growth while connecting artists with the wider community.
We will always continue to support and present opera, art song, chamber music, and many other art forms because I believe they all matter. They are traditions worth carrying forward and sharing with new generations. At the same time, we’re always excited to explore new ideas, new formats, and welcome new artists. Ultimately, Nebula isn’t just about presenting concerts. It’s about bringing people together through music and creating a community where artists and audiences can inspire one another.
BB – What’s your favourite musical composition, both as a performer and as an audience member?
Wenwen Du: As a performer, nothing is closer to my heart than Lieder and chamber music.
As an audience member, I enjoy many different kinds of music, symphonies, opera, chamber music, Lieder, jazz, and more. But honestly, it often comes down to who is performing. The same piece can feel completely different in the hands of different artists.
BB – Electronic scores or paper books?
Wenwen Du: Paper books ! But… my younger artists have definitely opened my mind to electronic scores. So these days, I happily use both.
BB – Is opera dead?
Wenwen Du: Not at all.
Opera tells stories about love, jealousy, ambition, fear, hope, loss, and forgiveness. Human emotions haven’t changed.
I think many people believe they need to know everything about opera before attending a performance, but that’s simply not true. You don’t need to know music theory to be moved by a beautiful voice, just as you don’t need to be an art historian to be touched by a painting.
I think every generation finds its own way of connecting with these stories. The world changes, but we can still be moved by Romeo and Juliet’s love.
BB: That’s beautiful. I think when someone answers as you did, there is hope!
(Next question)How do you reconcile wearing multiple hats as a performer, teacher, and producer?
Wenwen Du: Hmm, I don’t really think of them as separate jobs anymore.
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have Alice Chee as a mentor. Her passion for the arts, her support for artists, and her perspective have guided me through many important moments.
At Nebula, I’m also very grateful to have a team that truly works together. Everyone is flexible and willing to step in when needed. That sense of collaboration makes it possible for me to continue exploring these different roles.
Working with young artists gives me new ideas and makes me see music from different perspectives. It also challenges me to put my thoughts into words, to explain precisely what I hear and feel, which often leads to new discoveries for myself as well. At the same time, staying active as a performer allows me to share not only musical ideas, but also the practical lessons I’ve learned on stage.
For me, these roles don’t compete with each other, they complement and enrich each other.
BB – You’re both a musician and theatre producer. What skills transfer from one career to the other?
Wenwen Du: I think one of the biggest skills that transfers between the two is listening.
As a musician, I’ve learned that great music comes from listening—to your colleagues, to the space around you, and to the ideas that are being created together. That same skill is essential in producing. You have to listen to artists, understand different personalities, solve problems, and bring many people together around a shared vision.
Being an active performer also helps me understand what artists need. As a producer, I try to create the kind of environment where I would want to work myself – professional, supportive, but also warm and welcoming.
BB – Who is part of the team we’ll hear performing Pagliacci with Nebula Performances?
Wenwen Du: We’re incredibly fortunate to have a wonderful cast and creative team.
Our stage director is David Walsh, whose career has taken him to the most prestigious opera companies around the world for decades.
David directed your brother Peter Barcza as Tonio in Toronto back in 1985!
Technical director Lynol Amero has been working hard on designing and building the settings & props for the opera.
And Our stellar cast includes two wonderful sopranos Nedda – Hannah Ernst and Holly Chaplin, tenor Wanshuai Yu as Canio, bass baritone Liam Robertson as Tonio, baritone Alexander Dobson as Silvio, tenors Ming-xuan Chung & Kevin Liu as Beppe.
We also have a group of young chorus members and amazing creative team!
One of the things I enjoy most is bringing together artists at different stages of their careers. It’s exciting to watch new collaborations develop.
BB – It’s great to see you employ Canadian artists. Do you believe our companies could work harder to hire Canadian artists instead of importing singers from the USA or Europe?
Wenwen Du: I do believe we should continue supporting Canadian artists. Canada has extraordinary talent, and our artists deserve opportunities to build meaningful careers here at home.
At the same time, I really value international collaboration. I’ve always loved what happens when artists from different places come together. We bring different experiences, perspectives, and ways of working, and often something unexpected comes out of that exchange.
For me, it isn’t an either-or question. I think we should absolutely support Canadian artists while also inviting artists from around the world. The two can really complement each other.
BB – Do you have ideas about modernizing classical music for today’s audiences?
Wenwen Du: Absolutely.
One thing we’ve learned at Nebula is that people often connect first with an idea before they connect with a composer. That’s why we present themed concerts, Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Remembrance Day, and many others. Those themes give audiences an easy and welcoming way into classical music.
I think sometimes we just need to make that first step easier. If people feel included and have a reason to come, they might discover something they really love.
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You can discover more about Nebula Performances at their website.
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