Tales from the score: Peter Grimes

Editorial

Benjamin Britten rarely fails to make me marvel at the art of composing opera. I tend to be a sucker for misunderstood protagonists, and Britten writes operas like The Turn of the Screw and Albert Herring with such understanding that it pulls at my heart. Peter Grimes is the story of a fisherman who hires young boys to help him on his boat, and one of those boys has turned up dead; in a small town like The Borough, Peter is left victim to both a trial and a mob of suspicious townsfolk.

Schmopera is One!

Editorial

Cheers, readers! There's yet another reason to celebrate during this festive season: Schmopera is one year old!

Christmas, of course

Editorial

It’s Christmas, guys. The Messiahs, the Christmas carols, the Hänsels and Gretels, they’re all fair game for this season of nostalgia. I was deciding on my pick for this year’s Christmas-ful opera, assuming I’d end up in the direction of Amahl and the Night Visitors, or going for an exception to the opera theme (it’s Christmas, after all) and voting for A Charlie Brown Christmas instead.

The COC's unexpected collaboration

Editorial

"Mark down 2014 as the year the Canadian Opera Company put out an album with Broken Social Scene and Fucked Up. No, really." That's right. With The Globe and Mail and recording label Arts & Crafts, the COC is a presenting partner of Broadsheet Music: A Year in Review, a new (and free!) album full of songs about the stories and issues of 2014 that affected Canadians.

The Mikado and Champagne

Editorial

Looking for something to tide you over between the annual stretch of Christmas-New Year's-Regular Life? Want a way to get some catchy songs in your head that aren't Christmas carols? Me too.

Tales from the score: Violetta

Editorial

Verdi's La traviata is one of those operas, like Il barbiere di Siviglia or Die Walküre, that's so full of famous stories and tunes that the real significance of these moments is almost forgotten. But because it's Verdi, let's not dock him points for being obvious.

#UncleJohn in Toronto

Editorial

Against the Grain Theatre's production of #UncleJohn opens this Thursday, to the delight of indie opera lovers in Canada. After its initial premiere this summer at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site in Banff, AB, #UncleJohn has sparked much anticipation from audiences here in Toronto.

Turin Royal Theatre: William Tell in Toronto

Editorial

Soprano Angela Meade, singing Mathilde in the Turin Royal Theatre's in-concert production of Rossini's William Tell at Roy Thomson Hall. Photo: Dario Acosta Looking for something to catch this weekend in Toronto? Head to Roy Thomson Hall to hear some Rossini.

Ben Heppner To Host the COC Ensemble Studio Competition Gala

Editorial

On November 25th, the Canadian Opera Company will present the second annual Centre Stage: Ensemble Studio Competition Gala. The best of Canada's young opera scene will sing for the chance to win some prize money ($1500-$5000), and they'll also be vying for a spot in the COC Ensemble Studio.

In recital: Lucia Cesaroni and Adrian Kramer

Editorial

Coming up in Toronto next month: two Canadian singers team up in recital. Tenor Adrian Kramer, soprano Lucia Cesaroni and pianist Maika'i Nash present Extensions of Us: Melody and Movement.