Die Fledermaus? Die Fleder-fabulous!

Review

Guys, this is a great kickoff to summer. It's campy, it's fun, there's free beer and snacks. It's exactly the way I think that Strauss II would want to see it performed in this day and age. Seriously, get a group of you together, buy some tickets and go literally have a ball. And even though we all hate audience participation (usually), trust me when I say the more you throw yourself into the scene, the more fun the show will become.

Recitals that stick: Matthias Goerne at Wigmore Hall

Review

The character of the poet became more completely fleshed out with the Wolf, Shostakovich, and Brahms. It was almost like fan fiction, a satisfying sequel to Schumann's cycle that ends ambiguously and seemingly without resolve. Goerne's singing of the Brahms Ernste Gesänge' left us heavy in our seats, the most stunning of which was his "O Tod," half lullaby and half prayer.

Rosemarie Umetsu: singing in style

Interview

Based out of her Atelier in Toronto, designer Rosemarie Umetsu has an unique relationship with fashion and the performing arts. Her clients include artists like Joyce Di Donato, Jake Heggie, Gidon Saks, Angela Meade, and Pinchas Zukerman, and Umetsu often hosts salon evenings in her Yorkville studio. With a long history of dressing opera singers, Umetsu was kind enough to offer some wisdom and advice about choosing flattering and comfortable gowns for stages of all sizes.

5 ways to make watching an opera at home even more fun

Humour

We won't come right out and say this is an opera drinking game, but we have devised a little way to make watching opera (in the comfort of your home, without distracting other ticket buyers, please!) a more social, even competitive, activity. Our points system can be worth whatever currency you so desire; but we're not opposed to a point equalling hearty gulps of your preferred beverage...

Aria guides: Il mio tesoro

How-To

"Il mio tesoro", from Mozart's Don Giovanni, marks the first time we see Don Ottavio go from fawning, sensitive support system, to a real man with a plan. It's no easy task for a tenor; Mozart writes long phrases, big leaps, coloratura, and those trademark delicate phrase endings that can make any singer sweat. Tenors, while you consult your best teachers and coaches, we can offer you a few quick tips to help make some music out of this tough aria.

Aria guides: "Come Paride vezzoso"

How-To

Belcore's aria from L'elisir d'amore is all about laying it on thick. He's after Adina, just like the opera's underdog/hero, Nemorino; he pulls out all the stops, like referencing literature, giving her flowers, and generally bragging about how awesome he is at life. It's a relatively rare moment of comedy for a baritone, although the aria doesn't come without its challenges.

Spotlight on: Shauna Yarnell

Interview

"I'm a fitness junkie and I love cooking and baking. This year I have picked up tennis and it’s been a lot of fun. When you feel confident in various parts of your life you will feel less of a need to prove yourself when you are singing. This gives you more opportunity to take risks and trust yourself."

Spotlight on: Whitney Mather

Interview

"You get a rare opportunity to look into someone else's mind and heart and see the world how they do and it helps me to live with a little bit more grace than I may otherwise. It is also constantly a practice of bettering one's self, not only technically and musically, but personally, and I think that the grit required to look at yourself in such a critical way can only help you to be a better person in your every day life."

Spotlight on: Musa Ngqungwana

Interview

"Upon reflection, my response is rooted in my convictions, experience, appreciation and understanding that I have been granted with the gift of singing from the day I was born. However, when I was growing up, I didn’t know that I could sing. Nor did I know, upon discovering I could phonate, how good or bad I was at it. I think it’s fair to say I didn’t care that much or pay attention to such details at the time."

Spotlight on: Angel Blue

Interview

"Be yourself and be happy being yourself. Often times so many young singers in the opera world feel that they need to "fit in" with whatever is popular in the field. In slang terms we say, "do you!" Just be yourself and be happy being yourself, singing like yourself, looking like yourself, be comfortable with your voice...its strengths and its weaknesses. Even the weaknesses (if you choose to call them that) make you unique."