In review: Il trovatore at Oper Frankfurt

Review

"Balanced" is the emphasis here, with the infamous requirements of the four lead roles met by the quadfecta of Piero Pretti (Manrico), Elza van den Heever (Leonora), Brian Mulligan (Conte di Luna), and the very last-minute replacement for an ailing Tanja Baumgartner, mezzo-soprano Marianne Cornetti (Azucena), flown in from Pittsburgh just in time for Friday's dress rehearsal.

In review: Bandits in the Valley

Review

The short, opera-esque piece of theatre - by composer Benton Roark and librettist Julie Tepperman - happens in various locations around Toronto's Todmorden Mills, the historic location that beautifully serves the concurrent tales of George Taylor (whose paper mill celebrates its 25th anniversary), the traveling theatre troupe that specializes in Gilbert & Sullivan, and The Rift Rafters, the group of bandits.

American Opera Projects: "You're seeing the opera in microcosm."

Interview

"You hear the work, and you hear the audience hearing the work. That's invaluable. As a theater critic, I am by nature self-critical. As an editor, I know the work can always be better. I want to see how the audience reacts. I want to hear their thoughts afterward. You won't take every suggestion to heart, but one good note can have a huge effect on the final outcome."

In review: Stars of Lyric Opera

Review

The highlight of the evening for me was Matthew Polenzani and Anthony Clark Evans singing the famous tenor/baritone duet from Bizet's The Pearl Fishers. This was old-school opera glamour and Polenzani's elegant tenor found a lovely match in Clark Evans' rich, easy baritone. The Pearl Fishers, with Polenzani as Nadir, comes to LOC in a new-to-Chicago production at the end of November.

In review: "Sophisticated, precise fearlessness" at Wigmore Hall

Review

This year's Wigmore Hall Song Competition was a wonderful experience. The judges commented on the incredibly high standard of this year's performers. I completely concur. The level of music making was very refined and intelligent. It was wonderful to see a concert with such a wide range of repertoire performed by young musicians making bold and individual choices.

What do singers want in a pianist?

Editorial

Pianists who work with singers tend to pride themselves on being an anticipator of needs. A great pianist seems to know before the singer does if they need an emergency breath, could use some extra hang-time on a high note, or wants a friendly push in tempo. Yet just as married-for-decades couples can still manage to surprise each other, even the best of pianist-singer relationships aren't perfectly telepathic.

Mysterious Barricades: "A flicker of hope."

News

With a mission "to raise awareness surrounding the mysterious barricades between mental illness and health, between the darkness of depression and a flicker of hope, between life and death," Mysterious Barricades brings free concerts to 15 Canadian cities, starting in St. John's, NL, and ending in Victoria, BC. The organization is led by mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Turnbull, whose late husband took his own life two years ago.

In review: Wigmore Hall Song Competition semi-finals

Review

I loved the way all the competitors took care of the transitions between songs, whether waiting to allow a moment to land or to keep the story going as to not drop the ball during a dead silence. It all proves that the silence is just as important as the music.

Don't miss: Bandits in the Valley

Interview

"It is fascinating that the average Torontonian's understanding of Toronto's history is pretty limited," says Tapestry Artistic Director Michael Mori. "We are all a pretty new lot here, and so stories about the bandits in the Don Valley in the late 1800s and far-reaching industrial innovations that came from people like George Taylor are news to everyone except historians."

Talking with singers: Alfred Walker

Interview

"Singing is my most effective way of expressing thoughts and feelings. It's very gratifying to show the audience who you are. To show them real expression. Some artists have an instrument, some have pen and paper. I have a voice!"