Ben Heppner goes off air

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has put out this statement:

After eight years sharing his passion for opera as the host of SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT THE OPERA and BACKSTAGE on CBC Music, Ben Heppner retires.

Kwagiulth and Stó:lō First Nations mezzo-soprano Marion Newman to helm SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT THE OPERA starting Sat. Sept. 11.

During his farewell show over Labour Day weekend, Ben Heppner said, ‘I’ve decided to move into a new phase of my life.  Although I won’t be working anymore – there’s lots of things that I want to do… and I want to thank you for making Saturday Afternoon at the Opera a regular part of your week. Thank you too for the emails and letters you’ve written – many of you have become a treasured presence in my life. You will be missed.’

Heppner, 65, ended his international tenor career early to pursue a new career as a media presenter.