The Mikado and Champagne

Editorial

Looking for something to tide you over between the annual stretch of Christmas-New Year's-Regular Life? Want a way to get some catchy songs in your head that aren't Christmas carols? Me too.

#UncleJohn: the Toronto story

I went to see opening night of Against the Grain Theatre's production of #UncleJohn, the re-imagination of Mozart's Don Giovanni by Joel Ivany. It was fantastic, but I'm hardly the unbiased media figure I should be in order to offer up a true review.

Cecilia Bartoli: "atonal music creates a barrier between composer and singer"

Did anyone catch Cecilia Bartoli's comments earlier this year, in an interview promoting her new album, St Petersburg? Cecilia is known for her singing of Mozart, Vivaldi, and plenty of long-lost songs from the 18th-century and earlier. Early Music folks are notoriously eccentric, and at their worst, annoyingly closed-minded about "modern music".

Tales from the score: Violetta

Editorial

Verdi's La traviata is one of those operas, like Il barbiere di Siviglia or Die Walküre, that's so full of famous stories and tunes that the real significance of these moments is almost forgotten. But because it's Verdi, let's not dock him points for being obvious.

#UncleJohn in Toronto

Editorial

Against the Grain Theatre's production of #UncleJohn opens this Thursday, to the delight of indie opera lovers in Canada. After its initial premiere this summer at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site in Banff, AB, #UncleJohn has sparked much anticipation from audiences here in Toronto.

Can Opera Make Money?

Op-ed

Opera doesn't make money, it never has, and we all know it. I was recently asked about opera's economy and why opera companies have never functioned as a for-profit theatre company. The theoretical comparison was between the Canadian Opera Company and Mirvish Productions.

Tales from the score: Bohemians in love

Humour

Without fail, in almost tedious constancy, watching La bohème brings out all the feels. Before an upcoming production, I'm more objective, and I can inwardly roll my eyes at the thought of getting swept away by a piece like La bohème. It's so obvious, I tell myself, You're falling for low-bar emotional jabs like doomed lovers and friendship despite hardship.

Turin Royal Theatre: William Tell in Toronto

Editorial

Soprano Angela Meade, singing Mathilde in the Turin Royal Theatre's in-concert production of Rossini's William Tell at Roy Thomson Hall. Photo: Dario Acosta Looking for something to catch this weekend in Toronto? Head to Roy Thomson Hall to hear some Rossini.

Centre Stage 2014: Let's Hear It For the Boys

Review

Last night the seven finalists of the COC's Ensemble Studio Competition sang on the stage of the Four Seasons Centre for the second annual Centre Stage Gala. I like this event, and I like the hype it brings to this exciting part of today's opera world. This year, Centre Stage was hosted by Canada's favourite tenor, Ben Heppner, who was as warm and funny as he was respectful of the competitors.

Unpaid Artists, and all the ways they can stay that way

Op-ed

I came across two separate articles the other day, on the topic of artists working without pay. The first was this open letter to Oprah, written by Revolva, a professional hula hoop act and vaudeville performer. Apparently, Oprah's The Life You Want Weekend tour invited Revolva to work for their San Jose stop earlier this month. The catch: she'd be working for free.