Masetto

Interview

Vancouver-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

Editorial

Exciting 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

Review

Massenet'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.

Editorial

Tomorrow 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?

Editorial

This 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.

Schmopera on the Avalon

Editorial

Later this month, I'm packing my bags and heading to St. John's, Newfoundland, to work on a couple of shows at Opera on the Avalon. On the menu are Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Tom Diamond and conducted by Vlad Iftinca, and the ubiquitous La bohème, directed by Michael Cavanagh and conducted by Judith Yan.

In review: Cousin from Nowhere

Review

I went to Toronto Operetta Theatre's Cousin From Nowhere, an English translation of Eduard Künneke's Das Vetter aus Dingsda. Whenever I go and hear TOT shows, I always end up hearing some new music that gets stuck in my head, sung by lovely Canadian talent.

I'm on a podcast! Again!

Editorial

That's right, they asked me back. This time I joined host Gianmarco Segato with COC Ensemble member Cameron McPhail and artist manager Alia Rosenstock (Dean Artists Management). We talked about the San Diego Opera kerfuffle, about the Metropolitan Opera Chorus, and what the arts are worth. It gets juicy, let me tell you. Have a listen!

In review: Roberto Devereux

Review

Since the dress rehearsal of the Canadian Opera Company's Roberto Devereux, my Facebook and Twitter feeds have been flipping out about American soprano Sondra Radvanovksy's performance as Queen Elizabeth I. So I was really eager to see it for myself.

In review: Persée

Ah, Opera Atelier. As far as Canada's opera scene goes, OA is really its own genre. For those unfamiliar, Opera Atelier produces 17th- and 18th- century ballet/opera; the shows are directed and choreographed by co-artistic directors Marshall Pynkoski and Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg.