In rehearsal with the COC Ensemble Studio: part 3

Interview

This Friday, the Canadian Opera Company's Ensemble Studio have their performance of Così fan tutte, directed by Atom Egoyan. This unique performance features all the young artists in the Ensemble Studio, who work additionally as covers to the mainstage cast. In the last of our three-part series, we meet soprano Claire de Sévigné (Despina) and baritone Gordon Bintner (Don Alfonso).

Talking with singers: Michael Robert-Broder

Interview

Vancouver native Michael Robert-Broder is a rising baritone in the Canadian operatic scene. Between rehearsals for his quickly approaching gig as Bartolo in Opera York's production of Il barbiere di Siviglia, Michael chats about what roles he'd love to tackle, the responsibilities of young singers, opera's relevancy today, and how Canadian companies can help opera evolve.

Talking with singers: Lauren Margison

Interview

Young Canadian soprano Lauren Margison has lived her life surrounded by opera and the people who make it. The daughter of renowned Canadian tenor Richard Margison and of violist and stage director Valerie Kuinka, Lauren has an unique perspective on the operatic industry.

Chatting with the Bicycle Opera Project

Interview

The Bicycle Opera Project has announced its 2015 season, which will take them from Toronto to Cape Breton, and back again. I'm so thrilled for BOP, who have a packed season of new Canadian works, including a couple of premieres.

Schmopera's first panel discussion: Regietheater

Editorial

Today, we're really excited to present our very first panel discussion, on the topic of Regietheater. With the help of videographer Jeff Higgins, we captured an extended conversation with some of Canada's most opera-savvy folks. The question of interpreting opera led to the unpacking of topics, like what it means to say a piece is done in its "original form."

In review: Béatrice & Bénédict at MYO

Review

Yesterday I went to hear Metro Youth Opera's production of Berlioz' Béatrice & Bénédict at Daniels Spectrum. I hadn't seen the opera before, and whenever I plan to see a piece for the first time, I rarely look up details like a plot synopsis. I'm one of those people that thinks that opera fans should have the option of enjoying a piece without needing to do homework, and I was pleased that MYO's B&B was clear and entertaining, language barriers (and Shakespeare) aside.

Pocket Concerts and their worthy campaign

Editorial

Toronto's Pocket Concerts has launched a new Kickstarter campaign for the next 30 days, and it's a cause that I think is important to share.

Peter Sellars: all my subtitles were understatements

Interview

Hercules opens on April 5th, at the Canadian Opera Company, and it features a spectacular cast: Eric Owens (Hercules), Alice Coote (Dejanira) and David Daniels (Lichas) headline this special production. Go and see it.

Two tenors > YouTube comments

Humour

Eager for topical conversation, I showed Canadian tenors Christopher Mayell and Isaiah Bell some comments made about one of those videos with one of those "child opera singers" singing Puccini. Specifically, whether or not 9-year old Amira Willighagen was better than 11-year old Jackie Evancho. It got pretty real.

Talking with singers: Andrew Love

Interview

Baritone Andrew Love is singer who recently succeeded in an official crossing-over between opera and musical theatre. He's sung at Calgary Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria, Saskatoon Opera and l'Opéra de Québec. On top of that, he just finished singing The Bishop and understudying the role of Javert in a run of Cameron Mackintosh's Les Misérables here in Toronto.