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.

In review: Hänsel & Gretel

Review

I went and saw one of my favourite operas last night: Hänsel and Gretel, by Engelbert Humperdinck, based on the creepy Brothers Grimm fairytale. I think it's a show that transports itself well on small and large stages, with small and large orchestras and even pianos. So it was great to see this production by Metro Youth Opera in an intimate space, where we could see subtle moments and get to know the characters more quickly.

How many fairies, exactly?

Op-ed

Alright, so Opera on the Avalon has a sense of humour. They put up a billboard to advertise Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream, one of two shows the program will present this summer in St. John's, Newfoundland. The billboard, I thought, was funny. The slogan for Midsummer was, "Filled with more fairies than St. John's on Pride Day." Snort.

What I'm seeing this week

Editorial

This weekend, I'm going to see more stuff. On Friday night, I'm catching opening night of Engelbert Humperdinck's Hänsel & Gretel, presented by Metro Youth Opera. I love this show, I know a few people involved, and I always fall for a fairy tale.

Thanks, everyone!

Editorial

Yesterday I posted an article about how hard it is for singers to stay creative and stay employed. Just over 24hrs later, close to 12,000 people have read it, and some have left some pretty brilliant and moving comments.

In defence of singers

Editorial

I remember playing some auditions as part of a "mock" audition panel where the singers would get feedback about their audition presentation. I played for a soprano (who’s doing very well for herself lately) who started smart with some Mozart. One of the auditioners then said to her, “Not that it’s at all appropriate, but I’d love to hear the Lodoletta.” Sigh.