Claire de Sévigné: how to sing fast & high

How-to

If you go to hear Claire de Sévigné in an opera, there's a good chance she's the one singing the highest. The Canadian coloratura is a graduate of the COC Ensemble Studio, a recent finalist of the Montréal International Music Competition, and soon to be a member of the International Opera Studio at the Zürich Opernhaus.

Breaking into the industry: a vicious cycle?

Op-ed

When you want something like this so badly, you will do pretty near anything to keep going. It makes you feel crazy, sure! But is it crazier to deny yourself what you love, or is it crazier to keep going when there's no end in sight? I wish I was here to bring you some hope and be all, “Here is a solution to all your problems! And here, 10 points for Griffindor!” Unfortunately, however, I am not a wizard and cannot wave a wand, say a little charm, do a little dance and have the circle stop and re-order itself into a tidy, chronological line.

Chris Thornborrow, on composing with kids

Interview

Toronto-based composer Chris Thornborrow is bringing his work and experience with young musicians to the Canadian Opera Company's Summer Opera Camp this July. Chris will help a group of young opera-philes to create their own work, as he's done before with students of the Toronto District School Board.

Spotlight on: Peter Bass

Interview

Peter Bass is one of those smart and serious singers who carries with him a wicked sense of humour to the rehearsal room. I last saw him onstage with Metro Youth Opera as the Father in their production of Hänsel und Gretel, and I've had small opportunities to work with him since. I'm always refreshed by a practical singer, and Peter is one of those. In his wise interview, he talks about Billy Budd, Michael Bublé, and telling stories.

What to wear to an audition, via the red carpet

Humour

Auditions are fun, right? Completely fun. I know it gets old sometimes, but I always did find the ritual of dressing for an audition quite calming. Something to do other than be nervous, I figure. I do like the mini fashion-show with which I'm presented at any audition venue; I like noticing which mezzos stubbornly wear their best dress to sing Siebel (why not?), and whether or not the baritones are the type to match their shoes to their whatever.

4 secrets for better high notes

Editorial

No matter what voice type you are, it’s fair to admit that plenty of your most applause-worthy moments come with high notes. Fast high notes, loud high notes, entire-lungful-of-air high notes - they’re what we’re all waiting to hear. There, I said it. When it comes to producing great sound at the top of your range, I leave that process to the singers and their voice teachers. But I can profess to hearing a curious trend among singers as they’re mastering those big high note moments.

Soundstreams announces the cast of Julie

News

This November, Soundstreams present the North American premiere of Julie, the chamber opera by Philippe Boesmans, based on the 1888 Strindberg play, Miss Julie. "Depicting a flirtation that turns into an erotic danse macabre between its aristocratic title character and her father’s valet, August Strindberg’s play Miss Julie was considered too scandalous to be produced when it was written in 1888—only to become a defining classic of modern drama."

Go hear Majesty, Madness & Murder

News

Next week, Ontario audiences have a chance to hear two exciting young sopranos in recital. On June 16 (Hamilton) and June 19 (Toronto), Teiya Kasahara and Stephanie Yelovich present *Majesty, Madness & Murder: An evening of Italian Opera and Art Song*, to raise funds towards tuition for the Operavision Academy in Urbania, Italy.

Opera on Steroids: Budapest!

Editorial

In late May I had the opportunity to experience opera from an entirely different viewpoint from which many of us are accustomed to in larger North American opera centres. I spent 10 glorious days in Budapest, attending operas, concerts and recitals in a variety of stunning venues, listening to a wide range of soloists, orchestral and choral ensembles in productions that simply blew the mind of this Torontonian.

In review: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Review

On Friday, June 5th I hit up Artscape Wychwood Barns to see a small production of William Finn's 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Based on an improvisation play called C-R-E-P-U-S-C-L-E conceived by Rebecca Feldman, this show took the Tony Awards and Broadway by storm in 2005. I love this show, so it was a no-brainer to check it out.