"That concept production didn't work," & here's the real reason why

Op-ed

Instead of the lazy/meta/shock-value tactic, just commission an opera that tells the story you want to tell. Yep, that's a big ask, I know. It's a longer, riskier, more difficult process than slapping rape scenes onto Rossini, but I think it's the more creative way. Plus, it could be a serious killing of two birds with one stone; the stories would be organic (and still shocking, if you want - I'm no Victorian with what I want to see onstage), and it would be a great motivator to fuel the need for more contemporary operas.

Spotlight on: Danielle MacMillan

Interview

I first met mezzo-soprano Danielle MacMillan during the Canadian Opera Company's 2013 production of Peter Grimes, where she was one of the sassy Nieces keeping the Boar Pub interesting. Versatile like all good mezzos, Danielle is also preparing to sing Cherubino at Highlands Opera Studio's production of Le nozze di Figaro, this August/September.

What's my line?

Humour

I asked the casts of A Little Too Cozy and Crush to send me their favourite lines from their respective librettos. Read on, and get curious about these shows. Bonus points if you can identify which bits are Ivany, and which are Chatterton.

Opera Karaoke Night, Round 2

Humour

Another Friday night, another Opera Karaoke night at the Royal Canadian Legion in Banff. The singers and pianists of Open Space: Opera in the 21st Century ventured down the mountain for some great music and good beer. This time, we were heavy on the duets (think La bohème and The Phantom of the Opera), and the Legion patrons even got a sneak peek of Against the Grain Theatre's upcoming A Little Too Cozy. Of course, our favourite #operababy, Sammy, joined us too.

When the crowd went wild for Handel

Op-ed

Friday night was the second Opera Karaoke night at the Royal Canadian Legion in Banff, AB, and the most amazing thing happened. Soprano Caitlin Wood (singing Despina in A Little Too Cozy) showed off her coloratura chops with Handel's "Da tempeste," Cleopatra's flashiest aria from Giulio Cesare. We weren't performing for a particularly opera-savvy crowd, and in my own experience, the older the aria, the bigger the risk of boredom for this kind of audience.

Spotlight on: Lida Szkwarek

Interview

Winnipeg-born soprano Lida Szkwarek is a past finalist of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and she makes her Edmonton Opera debut this coming seasons as Micaëla in Carmen. Lida will return to Calgary Opera to sing First Lady in their 2016 production of Die Zauberflöte. She's also sung on stages in Saskatoon and at The Banff Centre; speaking The Banff Centre, I was recently reminded of a beautiful story by a mutual colleague of Lida and mine, where Lida's now fiancé, tenor Michael Marino, proposed to her on the Eric Harvie Theatre stage after a performance of Don Giovanni (#operaproposals?).

5 ways to build your rhythmic chops

How-to

Some folks have an inner pulse that rivals most metronomes. Others have to work for rhythmic perfection. Singers, we know you all get bad reputations among classical music circles for not being able to count, and frankly, sometimes you earn the stereotype. Singers who work regularly have excellent rhythm, and they know how to make music within a beat structure.

My dad > Rigoletto

Humour

Today, readers, is my lovely father's 60th birthday! Over the years, he has become a big fan of live music; he may argue that it was against his will, but he never balked at the chance to hear me play, I know that.

Does new opera raise the bar for performers?

Editorial

In a competitive industry, I'm fine with the concept of promoting singers who have acting skills and can learn music fast enough to fit into the woefully short rehearsal time many companies are afforded. Survival of the fittest, I say, and new opera is a beautiful and direct route to honing those skills.

Tim Vernon, Artistic Director²

Editorial

If you've not yet heard the news, Maestro Timothy Vernon has been appointed the new Artistic Director of Opera Lyra Ottawa. Vernon will begin immediately with the 2015/16 season, and he'll maintain his position as Artistic Director of Pacific Opera Victoria. A busy man just got busier.