Elza van den Heever and the MET Orchestra: A stunning all-Strauss program
The language of snobs?
Op-edRemember that ridiculous clip from Glenn Beck's radio show about his trip to the Metropolitan Opera? That Neanderthal-like rant about how opera is full of "leftist" snobs that eat brie and say words like "lilt"?
Vania Chan on Airline Icarus
InterviewCanadian lyric coloratura soprano Vania Chan splits her time between Early Music like Mozart and Rameau, and New Music, like the upcoming Airline Icarus, opening in Toronto on June 3rd. Brian Current's opera, set to Anton Piatigorsky's libretto, tells the stories of several passengers on a Cleveland-bound flight.
In defence of pianists
Op-edI'm a pianist who works with opera singers. It's awesome, and I love it, and I can't stop doing it. But in all honesty, I must address some gross habits of disrespect and neglect with which pianists often have to deal. Enough is enough.
The Business of Passion
Op-edI kind of dread being asked what I do. That’s an awful thing to say, given what an interesting and unique job I have, but it’s true. At a non-music party [NMP, for your future reference!] or in a cab, the conversation usually starts something like this: “So you’re travelling a lot for work – what’s your job?”
When critics are jerks
Op-edDer Rosenkavalier opened at Glyndebourne on May 17th, and the opening night reviews ticked off some opera fans. Ordinarily, one would be happy that a bunch of critics can't stop talking about Irish mezzo Tara Erraught's performance of Octavian.
Masetto
InterviewVancouver-based baritone Aaron Durand is joining Against the Grain Theatre at the Banff Centre to sing the role of Masetto in Uncle John. He answered my questions about what fun about Banff, and about the mind of Masetto, Mozart's favourite doormat.
Schmopera goes west
EditorialExciting news! In July, I'll be heading to work at Open Space, the exciting new program partnering Against the Grain Theatre with The Banff Centre and the Canadian Opera Company. There, we'll explore Uncle John, the brand new adaptation of Mozart's _Don Giovanni _with a libretto by AtG Theatre's Artistic Director, Joel Ivany.
In review: Don Quichotte
ReviewMassenet's Don Quichotte has opened at the Canadian Opera Company, the final in the three spring shows of the 2013/14 season. I'm glad I saw it last, since there was something bittersweet about ending a season with comedy and charm. I'll admit I have a strange personal tendency to get annoyed by everyone's favourite bumbling knight; but perhaps I'm coveting Don Quixote's unwavering pursuit of goodness.
Ramírez, you're up.
EditorialTomorrow night, Toronto-based tenor Ernesto Ramírez will step into the title role of Donizetti's Roberto Devereux, playing now at the Four Seasons Centre. Italian tenor Giuseppe Filianoti was scheduled to sing the run, but he withdrew from the first few performances, and the Canadian Opera Company brought in American tenor Leonardo Capalbo to step in.
What's on, eh?
EditorialThis spring, opera-going Canadians are in luck: across the country, opera is a-happening. Starting in the West, you can still catch Verdi's Don Carlo at Vancouver Opera, playing until May 11th. The cast includes Canadian faves like Joni Henson and Brett Polegato, and they're doing it in Italian. Nice.