Talking with Counts: Alek Shrader

Interview

The Barber of Seville opened last night at the Canadian Opera Company, kicking off a 13-show run until May 22nd. I spoke with American tenor Alek Shrader before rehearsal one day, to ask about singing Count Almaviva, and making his Canadian debut.

Kristen Seikaly on how to learn a role

Op-ed

Whether you are just learning your first role or seasoning your role-learning technique, this guide is intended to help you with learning an operatic role as efficiently and painlessly as possible. I hope that you will share with me any tips and tricks that I have not mentioned here.

Classical vs popular music: is it a global thing?

Op-ed

It's important to note that to North Americans, European Classical music is something that's already once removed, culturally speaking. I wondered if it was different in India, where both the art music and popular music are fostered in the same place.

Odd Opera: Anna and Erwin

Humour

Hey guys, wanna see something slightly awkward? Here's Erwin Schrott and Anna Netrebko singing "Bess, you is my woman now," from *Porgy and Bess*. Good singing, and totally worth the click to hear Anna saying "I is, I is." But, oh man. So weird.

Serena Malfi, on singing Rosina

Interview

Italian mezzo-soprano Serena Malfi has been in Toronto for the last month (enjoying the weather, I'm sure), preparing to sing Rosina with the Canadian Opera Company, in Els Comediants' production of The Barber of Seville, which opens. She was delightful to chat with; I asked her a bit about singing the role of Rosina, and the fun of switching from trouser roles into dresses.

Valentina Lisitsa: Freedom of speech is a two-way street

Op-ed

I'm by no means the first to weigh in on the Toronto Symphony Orchestra's decision to cancel Ukrainian-born pianist Valentina Lisitsa's performances on April 8-9th. The decision came after the TSO was made aware of some crass tweets on Lisitsa's Twitter feed, and after they confirmed that Lisitsa was indeed the author of the controversial comments, they made the quick decision to cancel.

Talking Figaro with Joshua Hopkins

Interview

Canadian baritone Joshua Hopkins is in Toronto to sing the title role in the Canadian Opera Company's The Barber of Seville, opening April 17th at the Four Seasons Centre. I chat with him about his character, Figaro, and what it's like to sing with family in the audience.

An inside look at MYO's Béatrice & Bénédict

Interview

Later this month, Metro Youth Opera presents Berlioz's Béatrice et Bénédict. I had the chance to watch some of their rehearsals, and chat with director Alison Wong, and singers Simone McIntosh (Béatrice) and Asitha Tennekoon (Bénédict).

Daniel MacIvor: A playwright talks opera

Interview

Playwright and performer Daniel MacIvor is a self-professed opera newbie. He’s currently in the process of writing his first libretto for Hadrian, the new commission by the Canadian Opera Company, to be set to music by Rufus Wainwright. Hadrian is set to open the COC’s 2018/19 season, and so Daniel joined the Against the Grain Theatre crew at The Banff Centre to observe rehearsals for #UncleJohn.

The COC's Alexander Neef on #UncleJohn

Interview

Last week, the #UncleJohn team was joined by Alexander Neef, General Director of the Canadian Opera Company. The COC has provided mentorship and support throughout the Open Space program, and while he was here at The Banff Centre, the singers had a chance to sing for Mr. Neef and ask him some of their questions about the operatic industry.