Music Bloggers Unite!

Editorial

We've got exciting news! MusicalToronto.org has expanded into a whole new site, and you should get over there to check it out. It's got a new look, a great new way to keep track of upcoming concerts and events, and it'll soon include an interactive map of Toronto concert venues.

The COC Ensemble Studio: Meet the Newbies

Editorial

Yesterday in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, the Canadian Opera Company's Ensemble Studio kicked off the new season of the Free Concert Series. This year there are three new singers and one new pianist in the Ensemble. I'll admit the concert wasn't my first encounter with the COC young artists; I've had the opportunity to see them at work in recent weeks, but I was no less excited to hear them all sing their "introductory" arias.

And he never came back

Editorial

Conductors are dropping like flies in Europe. Riccardo Muti just resigned as chief conductor from Teatro dell'Opera di Roma. “Despite all my efforts to contribute to your cause,” Muti said, “there are no conditions to ensure the serenity necessary for the success of the production."

Study: classical music fans use more words, fewer swears

Editorial

A cool find today: some stats about what kind of vocabulary is used by different music lovers. Reddit Timemachine put out a survey of music fans from various subreddits about Classical music, jazz, punk, reggae, etc. The results were based on searching for specific words in each subreddit, showing the different frequencies that word is used in different fan circles.

The Big COC Podcast, round three

Editorial

Well, Schmopera is officially a veteran of the Big COC Podcast. Later this week, mark my third appearance on the COC’s official podcast, joining guests Opera Canada editor Wayne Gooding and arts journalist Catherine Kustanczy (Hyperalleric, Torontoist).

Coming up on the big stage

Editorial

This fall at the Canadian Opera Company, the stars come out. First to open on October 3rd will be that great last work of Giuseppe Verdi's, Falstaff. It's a co-pro with The Royal Opera House (Covent Garden), Teatro alla Scala, the Metropolitan Opera and Dutch National Opera; and because it's by Robert Carsen, it means we'll see stark visuals and a stripped-bare style of storytelling.

Valerian Ruminski, or "Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it"

Editorial

So as it turns out, Tamar Iveri isn't the only one with controversial opinions on alternative lifestyles. Only about 2 months ago the Georgian soprano was released from contracts in Australia due to an ultra-homophobic and hate-mongering post on her Facebook.

Rufus Wainwright really wants to record Prima Donna

Editorial

Rufus Wainwright is eager to make a studio recording of his first opera, Prima Donna, and the only thing stopping him is money. Rufus has yet to find a financial backer for the project, so he has turned to crowdfunding to find the cash on his own.

See? You do need opera to survive

Editorial

Last week, Kyra Kopenstonsky was hiking in Colorado and bumped into a mountain lion. It stalked her for about twenty minutes, after which Kyra employed a last resort: singing opera.

Appreciating Opera: A Learned Skill

Editorial

The Royal Conservatory of Music is offering a cool new way to help you get to know some of the shows you can see around Toronto this fall. Opera in the City is a new Music Appreciation Class at the RCM, and it focuses on Handel's Alcina (opening at Opera Atelier October 23rd), Verdi's Falstaff, and Puccini's Madama Butterfly (both at the Canadian Opera Companybeginning in October).