Reason #947 we don't envy singers: singing on camera

Editorial

"Mouth agape, molars in full view, eyebrows at the crown of the head, perhaps some bulging veins - they're all the product of singing one's face off. It's not always pretty, and the camera seems cruelly deft at showing you the sordid details."

Schmopera: coming to an opera house near you!

News

We've got contributors in Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, Edmonton, London, Frankfurt, and more. That means we can broaden our coverage of the 2017/18 season and catch more artists at work. With the help of our new writers, we'll be able to better represent the cool and complementary web of opera happenings across the world.

Body-shaming, product-selling, & knowing the difference

Op-ed

But with a minimal amount of online vetting, a professional musician should be able to tell the difference between an organization which is about presenting concerts that put their artists in the spotlight, and one that offers "background wallpaper" in a variety of patterns and colours. There's nothing wrong with either, but each come with their own set of expectations.

Sawney Bean & his cannibal clan would make a great opera

Humour

Whether you turn Sawney Bean himself into a booming basso profundo with a mean snarl and a taste for human flesh, or you tell the story of an anti-social family living among a mob-like community with a tendency toward exaggeration and gossip, the story is full of operatic qualities.

Spotlight on: Jacques Arsenault

Interview

"Invest in relationships. There are some remarkable individuals working in every aspect of this industry. Be the person others want to be around and work with—make yourself indispensable. Also, be super prepared. When luck comes your way, it's useless if you're not ready for it."

Opera meanies: the August edition

Editorial

"Nadine Sierra misses out on London debut", reads Lebrecht's headline. He goes on: "The US soprano was due to open the Covent Garden season in Richard Jones's new production of La Bohème, but she has cried off. Her replacements are, if anything, more interesting."

Talking with singers: Annalisa Stroppa

Interview

"I am happy despite all the difficulties because I travel for a profession I adore and gives me a lot of satisfaction, and this is priceless. My passion and the enthusiasm together with family's support is what gives me the strength and the serenity to deal with all the hurdles. Being away from your family and the consequent impossibility to cultivate one's family, friends and sentimental relationship is the price to pay but I am convinced that those who love you support you and their presence is felt even when you are far away."

Tragedies: Toronto's summer opera shortage

Humour

Perhaps they're trying to tell us something, these vacationing opera-and-music-makers. Maybe they're saying, Get out of the city, you crazy opera-house addicts, they're saying. Go sit by a lake somewhere, and build up your vitamin D for the season to come.

A singer's to-do list: 4 tasks to keep you focused this year

How-to

Readers, the beginning of a new school year is almost upon us. Some of you get excited by the autumn colours and the fresh notebooks; some of you emit a strong sigh of "here we go again." Whether you're a fan of the fall-to-spring grind or not, it's better-spent with a good dose of focus.

Don't miss: Esprit Orchestra's 35th anniversary season

News

For a pre-season taste, you can hear artists of the Esprit Orchestra and Canadian mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabó perform Luciano Berio's Folk Songs at the Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, October 3, 12pm.