The 'Quiet Luxury' of haute-contre Cyrille Dubois
In review: A Shropshire Lad
ReviewI went to another installation of the Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, to hear COC Ensemble members Iain MacNeil and Jean-Philippe Fortier-Lazure sing. The program was two sets of song by English composers: George Butterworth's Six Songs from a Shropshire Lad and Ivor Gurney's Ludlow and Teme, both with texts from the 63 poems in Alfred Edward Housman's A Shropshire Lad.
The Microphone Question
Op-edThe other day I was presented with one of those artistic conundrums that's so simple it rarely occurs to me: the question of using microphones in live opera. If you're an opera lover, your nose probably just scrunched up a little bit at the thought of Violetta sporting a headset mic.
Opera: the Inside Job
Op-edWhen I started Schmopera, I started checking out how the "pros" do this blogging thing. What were they saying, and how? Were they talking about artists, concerts, recordings? Were they spreading the word about shows to see? Were they publishing profiles and reviews of artists? Were they vouching for the arts and bringing awareness to the current events that concern artists and art-lovers?
Music Bloggers Unite!
EditorialWe've got exciting news! MusicalToronto.org has expanded into a whole new site, and you should get over there to check it out. It's got a new look, a great new way to keep track of upcoming concerts and events, and it'll soon include an interactive map of Toronto concert venues.
Netflix: Why Not Opera?
It's a fair question, isn't it? I mean, anyone who's into opera and classical music knows that the Internet is not our friend. While there's always trusty YouTube to the rescue when you've got an urge to watch that old Met Gala, or Jonas Kaufmann is anything at all. But wouldn't it be amazing to be able to browse an opera collection of old and new broadcasts?
Birdcalls and Spoilers
HumourThe above is a photo of a birdcall. It was recently loaned to me by the COC, because I’l be using it backstage during the twelve upcoming performances of Madama Butterfly (I know, I spoiled the magic of live birds). Backstage things like birdcalls, offstage conducting, ominous door knocking, cueing foghorns, etc., are all neat bonuses of the Music Staff job description.
In review: Lucia di Lammermoor at Opera By Request
ReviewLast night I went to see Lucia di Lammermoor with Opera By Request. It was one of those nights I often have in Toronto, where a good chunk of the cast is made up of friends and colleagues, and my curiosity was piqued to hear some of these young singers in their Lucia roles.
The COC Ensemble Studio: Meet the Newbies
EditorialYesterday in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, the Canadian Opera Company's Ensemble Studio kicked off the new season of the Free Concert Series. This year there are three new singers and one new pianist in the Ensemble. I'll admit the concert wasn't my first encounter with the COC young artists; I've had the opportunity to see them at work in recent weeks, but I was no less excited to hear them all sing their "introductory" arias.
And he never came back
EditorialConductors are dropping like flies in Europe. Riccardo Muti just resigned as chief conductor from Teatro dell'Opera di Roma. “Despite all my efforts to contribute to your cause,” Muti said, “there are no conditions to ensure the serenity necessary for the success of the production."
Pavarotti and all his Friends
HumourI indulged in some Pavarotti & Friends today, and pulled out a few favourites to share. I recognized that song recipe for Pavarotti's duets with famous pop singers: the famous pop singer starts off by singing the first verse au naturel, and Pav joins in for the second verse, in Italian, with what sometimes sounds like a totally new melody.