Masks to Try On

Editorial

I'm getting myself in the mood for the COC's fast-approaching production of Verdi's Un ballo in maschera. So I'm Masked-Ball-hopping, watching about three different versions at once at the moment. In the foreground is the classic Moshinsky production from the Met in 1980, with Pavarotti, Ricciarelli, Berini, and Canada's beloved Louis Quilico as Renato.

RIP: Claudio Abbado

Editorial

Italian conductor Claudio Abbado has died at age 80, after a long battle with stomach cancer. Born in Milan, Abbado made his debut at La Scala in 1960, and served as its music director from 1968-1986.

Saturday Afternoon with Ariadne

Editorial

It's Saturday, and I want to be entertained. And as if the triumvirate gods of Opera, Internet and Day-Of-Week united forces for bored opera-lovers everywhere, the Metropolitan Opera put up its 1988 production of Ariadne auf Naxos.

Newbies: Welcome to the COC Ensemble Studio!

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.

"I'm chuffed!"

Editorial

Did you hear? Against the Grain Theatre is partnering with the Banff Centre for the Arts and the Canadian Opera Company to premiere a new opera training program! Led by AtG's artistic director Joel Ivany and music director Christopher Mokrzewski, eight singers will have the chance to workshop operatic skills in an innovative way.

#COC1415

Editorial

“I’m particularly proud that the 14/15 season is comprised entirely of productions owned or co-owned by the COC. Our three new productions have been created with the world’s best opera companies and the three revivals are essential pieces in the company’s history."

opera on reddit: did you know about it?

Editorial

For those who know what Reddit is: there's an opera subreddit! For those who don't: www.reddit.com is a website where all the content has been submitted by users in the form of links. The links can be to anything. ANYTHING.

I Love a Gala

Editorial

On Friday night, PBS aired Richard Tucker at 100: An Opera Celebration. The performance was recorded on November 17, 2013, in time to honour the centennial of late American tenor Richard Tucker. As of Sunday, the event has been etched into Internet stone, and even a Canadian can watch it.

Bills and Business Models

Editorial

2013 was a bad year for the business of classical music. New York City Opera was North America's big story in the ever-widening category of struggling or bankrupt opera houses. Seattle Opera suffered large cutbacks in order to stay alive, and the Minnesota Orchestra's standoff with the board has cost them at least a season and a half. And although outside of our stated calendar year, Canadians certainly felt this week's closure of Opera Hamilton.

"We don't have the cash to carry on."

Editorial

Let's make no fat-lady-singing jokes; this is just sad. Opera Hamilton announced today that it would "cease operations." The company has canceled its upcoming gala Popera, scheduled for Saturday night, as well as its production of Carmen that was set to go up in April.