The 'Quiet Luxury' of haute-contre Cyrille Dubois
In review: Quinn Kelsey's Songs from the Heart
ReviewHawaiian baritone Quinn Kelsey strode into the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, wearing black cowboy boots with his three-piece suit, and said to the audience, "I apologize in advance for cheat sheets."
Fannibals in New York: One World Symphony premieres Hannibal
ReviewThematically, the darkness of Hannibal is not an unfamiliar subject to opera. Psychopathic heroes and murderers have long taken the stage through works like Wozzeck and Salome, characters like Bluebeard and Scarpia. A lot of operas are bloody. Yet, I’m not sure the question is whether Hong is doing something new. Rather, the point is what he’s doing to make opera contextually relevant to those who otherwise might not go to the opera at all.
Hear the premiere of Abraham, support the Syrian Refugee Program
NewsTomorrow night, head to the Metropolitan United Church to hear the première of Abraham, a new oratorio by Dora award-winning composer David Warrack (Torontosaurus, Oh Susanna, Interpretations of a Life). Tickets start at $36, and funds raised will go towards the Church's Syrian Refugee Program.
Meet the folks: Pocket Concerts
InterviewThe concept of going to someone's house for some live chamber music might seem strange to anyone who isn't a big concert goer. But musicians know that house concerts are a common occurrence, that they're often under-advertised and often private, and that they're a fantastic way to experience music. The folks from Pocket Concerts are taking the in-home concert model, and making it an experience that anyone can have.
On the air: Sunday Night with the TSO
NewsThis weekend, turn your radio-like devices to Classical 96.3 FM for the latest episode of Sunday Night with the TSO. Recently I joined hosts Kathleen Kajioka and Jeff Melanson (President and CEO of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra) and fellow guest Michael Vincent (editor, Musical Toronto) for a somewhat meta-conversation about the value of music criticism.
Talking with singers: Elizabeth Caballero
InterviewCuban-American soprano Elizabeth Cabellero has built herself a busy life on the road, singing some of opera's most coveted roles in houses across the United States. She just finished singing Donna Elvira in Lyric Opera of Kansas City's Don Giovanni, and when we spoke over Skype, she was in Miami, FL, preparing for a recital in honour of legendary Romanian soprano, Virginia Zeani.
Fidelio at Oshawa Opera
InterviewOshawa Opera continues its season with Fidelio on November 15th. The in-concert performance features mezzo-soprano Brigitte Bogar as Leonora and tenor Jason Lamont as her husband, Florestan. Pianist Kate Carver plays Beethoven's score, and Oshawa Opera Artistic Director Kristine Dandavino narrates.
Mahler's 2nd: in memory of Elizabeth Krehm
NewsOpera 5 Artistic Director Rachel Krehm and her family present a benefit concert to raise funds for St. Michael's Hospital, where Rachel's sister Elizabeth passed away on November 17, 2012 at the age of 22. The concert is part of an annual series started by the Krehm family in 2013, in honour of Elizabeth and of the wonderful care she received from the doctors and nurses of St. Michael's Hospital.
Music Matters at Mini Mozarts Summer Music Camp
InterviewMost artists want to touch the lives of others with their work, and I spoke recently with a few Canada-based singers who have found a very tangible way to do some good with their talent. Tenor Paul Williamson and soprano Allison Cecilia Arends travelled last summer to Kingston, Jamaica, where they held their inaugural Mini Mozarts Summer Camp with the St. Andrew Parish Foundation.
The number one financial thing I wish everyone would know
Op-edI love personal finance. I love the budgets, the savings, the maddening complexity of an obscure tax rule. Maybe I’m still in a 'honeymoon' phase because that love is still pretty new to me. It was only a few years ago when money was a huge stress for me: I avoided thinking about it, I avoided talking about it, I just plain didn’t pay it any mind at all.