Opera for first-timers & thinking outside the box

Editorial

We're talking about newbies, here; if everything is new, everything is on the table. I say then, let's first present opera in its most progressive form. Not to create a bias, but precisely because preconceptions about opera exist; the simplest way to break them down is to show them something, called opera, that doesn't fit the stereotypes.

Are printed translations screwing up recitals?

Op-ed

After academia, it becomes less common to give spoken translations in voice recitals. It's one thing to hear an undergrad voice student tell you what "Das Veilchen" is about, but it's another thing entirely to hear the likes of Stephanie Blythe and Warren Jones reciting song texts.

Opera spin-offs, round two

Humour

Good operas and good productions often make me think about the characters after the curtain closes. When that happens, I end up imagining the operatic spin-offs, sequels, and prequels that could be. Since our last instalment was such fun, I'll share a few of my imaginings once again; readers, leave your ideas in the comments below!

A sneak peek at AtG's Death & Desire

Interview

This week, Against the Grain Theatre gave a preview of their upcoming show, Death & Desire, in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre. Death & Desire combines two song cycles, Schubert's Die Schöne Müllerin and Messaien's Harawi. The two protagonists of each respective cycle are faced with each other in this "double-poeticism" by Artistic Director Joel Ivany.

The Bicycle Opera Project at 21C

Review

Last night, as part of the Royal Conservatory of Music's ongoing contemporary music festival, 21C, the Bicycle Opera Project presented a teaser of their upcoming season. The BOP team will first take up an artist residency in Baddeck, Nova Scotia, to premiere Dean Burry's new opera, The Bells of Baddeck.

How to play for singers

How-to

Pianists, you're a busy bunch. So how do you learn all that music, and prioritize like a pro? When it comes to playing for singers, pianists are often in one of three situations:

In review: Owen McCausland's recital stunner

Review

At yesterday's noon-hour concert in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, COC Ensemble Studio member Owen McCausland had the stage (mostly) to himself. Owen sang a full recital, including 6 of the Janáček songs, plus selections from Ralph Vaughan Williams' The House of Life and Benjamin Britten's Les illuminations.

And you thought your singer face was weird...

Humour

Readers, we can't stop watching Jerry Lewis lip-sync to Mario Lanza singing "Be My Love."

In review: Ekaterina Gubanova & Rachel Andrist in recital

Review

Since Ekaterina was completely stunning in Bluebeard, I was eager to hear her up close, in the well-lit Amphitheatre. The women treated us to two sets of Russian songs; Three Songs by Tchaikovsky preceded Modest Mussorgsky's amazing Songs and Dances of Death.