Banff and new buddies

Editorial

Well, it's happening. Yesterday, the whole cast and crew of #UncleJohn moved into their new digs at the stunning Banff Centre. It was a day of informally bumping into each other over meals and self-guided orientations. I caught Leporello going over his patter outside Le café, and talked business over beer with maestro Hargreaves.

From Don Juan to #UncleJohn

Editorial

Don Juan. Love him or hate him, he's been around for at least 400 years. Why? Because he's a juicy character with which we've all got something in common. Everyone struggles with moderation in their lives; food, drink, and sex have forever played a role in our personal conflicts with desire and will-power. If you're mysteriously immune to the temptations of the Big Three, you're bound to be lured by something else. Or, you're a robot.

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.

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.

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!

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.