Onto the finals: why can't they all just win?

Editorial

I suppose that's what happened as the CMIM Aria finalists were announced. I made a few private predictions of my own, and I was largely on the same page as the jury. But I was dismayed to see two singers left out of the final round, perhaps for swinging too far one way or the other.

Anticipation: CMIM Aria Semifinals, part I

Editorial

With the anticipation of a good cliffhanger, I'll head back to Maison symphonique tomorrow night for the remaining six semifinalists. Make sure you watch live via CMIM's webcast, starting at 7:30pm ET. And if you missed Monday's Semifinal I, catch up below:

Ensemble Studio shines in a lackluster Evening

Editorial

Whatever its form, this annual event is meant to show off what these artists do best. It's clear that the Ensemble Studio features seven excellent young voices and two industrious pianists. With that said, An Evening With the Ensemble Studio seemed to show that what these young artists do best is prosper under the oddest of onstage circumstances.

Don't miss: The Love Potion

Editorial

"As social beings, we depend on love and being loved," says Mitisek, explaining our fascination with love stories - even those that end in death. An opera like The Love Potion tells us about the possibilities and the limits of love, and we can experience its extremes through catharsis.

Fallis wraps 27 years with the Toronto Consort

Editorial

Readers, we're giving away two pairs of tickets to the matinee performance on May 27 (3:30pm). To be eligible for the draw, share or retweet this post (give us a tag @Schmopera, too!) and tell us why you're keen to see David Fallis' final collaboration with one of Toronto's cornerstones of Early Music.

"After 15 years, I felt like having a party."

Editorial

"I think we really mined [masque] to a huge extent," he says. Now, Beckwith's decision to wrap up TMT is fuelled by a desire for something new.

Calgary Opera launches 2018-19 season

Editorial

"This story seemed to have all those big emotions, everything from love and death and hubris and heroism, " says Talbot. "People absolutely pushed to the full extremes of their mental and physical capacity. It's an interesting psychological journey through the minds of various different people."

Levine's ugly exit, & the disposable Met

Editorial

Now, as I read the conclusion of the Met's gross display of Righteous Response™ - their investigation, launched with seriousness only after this group of victims came forward with corroborating, damning accounts of abuse by Levine - I say, let it fall.

Appetizers & arias: Popera! at the Drake One Fifty

Editorial

Popera! has a chic air of exclusivity to it, the menu items like "Love Elixir" cocktails and "Opera Cake" seeming positively swanky when paired with Mozart. My only wish is that the event grows in size - as in, more singing, please. I could have done with a couple of sets' worth of singing, perhaps over appetizers as well as cocktails, with a bonus handful of sweet picks - some Andrew Lloyd Webber, say - for dessert.

Hallelujah for the Amici Ensemble

Editorial

Some warmth on this chilly Thursday: the Amici Ensemble and soprano Mireille Asselin covers Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah. It's a clip from their newly released album, Inspired by Canada/Notre Pays. Curl up with some tea, hit play, and let the tears flow.