It's beginning to look a lot like **SUB NEEDED**

It's beginning to look a lot like **SUB NEEDED**

The past few weeks every time I log on to my social media feeds, or open my inboxes, I find the same messages. "Sub needed for Dec 23, 24, 25," etc., outlining the money made per call. This doesn't just happen at Christmas either. I see the same barrage of posts happening during Lent/Easter as well.

Greg Finney - Dec 14, 2016
#Roundup2016: Greg & Jenna's Top 10

#Roundup2016: Greg & Jenna's Top 10

"I totally loved interviewing baritone Sidney Outlaw. He has a peace and wisdom about him that translates into his work. He answers every tough question about the industry with some form of "take it to the practice room." He was easy to talk with, and funny enough to make me wish we could have done a podcast out of it."

Jenna Simeonov Greg Finney - Dec 13, 2016
Don't miss: The Pirates of Penzance with TOT

Don't miss: The Pirates of Penzance with TOT

"Pirates is part love story, part silly romp which pokes fun at everything ranging from love, youth, getting old, authority to politics."

Jenna Simeonov - Dec 12, 2016
What I learned about money from Enrico Caruso

What I learned about money from Enrico Caruso

The voice in my head wants me to be a brilliant actor, an incredible singer, the best blogger, a life changing financial planner, and everyone's favourite friend. I want all the things. You see… I'm not the kind of guy who can do just 'one thing'. I like having multiple focuses… focusi? And so I'm constantly in conflict with my want to do all of things, and my want to be great at all those things. The smaller the focus, the larger the voice.

Christopher Enns - Dec 12, 2016
Artistic success: pay it forward

Artistic success: pay it forward

This field is small, it is competitive. I understand the urge to protect your job(s) and hold onto employment you’ve worked hard to get. This is a deeply rooted urge, grown from the subconscious fears that "I am not good enough" and "Maybe this other person could do it better". In some people, this manifests into a refusal to help others up the ladder, an inability to send the elevator down for someone perceived as a threat.

Vanessa Chumbley - Dec 11, 2016
Talking with singers: Jessica Pratt

Talking with singers: Jessica Pratt

"It is our diversity that makes for a healthy industry. I prefer to think of us all contributing in our own way, rather than all competing, which seems like such a limiting view to me. The only competition that I feel constantly is competition with myself, to try overtime to improve something in my performance or my technique."

Jenna Simeonov - Dec 11, 2016
Risky opinions: there are 2 types of singers...

Risky opinions: there are 2 types of singers...

To be fair: maybe these singers can do subtle, and we just didn't get the chance to see it (and most of the above examples come from an arguably different era of directing opera). But they're still quite different from singers like Diana Damrau, Christopher Purves, Krisztina Szabó, Barbara Hannigan, Alice Coote, and Allan Clayton. These guys are versatile, and they really do pair their beautiful sounds with mature, layered dramatic performances that feel organic and believable, rather than hokey and overdone.

Jenna Simeonov - Dec 10, 2016
A call for Honest Bios™

A call for Honest Bios™

Sometimes, readers, after a long day of scouring information on opera singers, we start to bemoan the fact that their bios don't really tell us anything about them. If any of you know an opera singer personally, go read their professional bio right now. Who is that person? They seem busy, but it's not clear why anyone should go and hear them sing.

Jenna Simeonov - Dec 10, 2016
FAWN announces composers for next stage of Synesthesia IV

FAWN announces composers for next stage of Synesthesia IV

"I feel very lucky to realize new music in this collaborative way," says MacArthur. "I love the music, the tension and the excitement of a FAWN show. When I perform with FAWN, I can lose myself in the performance and feel new sounds. It's such a rush!"

Jenna Simeonov - Dec 8, 2016
Talking with singers: Daniel Okulitch

Talking with singers: Daniel Okulitch

"Canada is small enough that when someone shows an interest in classical music, there is a community that will claim you and help you. As such, I believe we are able to find and produce large numbers of exceptional musicians, disproportionate to our population. We're smaller than California, but produce more classical singers who have international careers. Figure that one out."

Jenna Simeonov - Dec 8, 2016

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