Arianna Zukerman: "You've got to live your truth."

Interview

"Not having balance is destructive and at the end of the day, as much as I love singing and constantly working to hone my craft and improve and present excellence, I'm not getting a hug from a perfectly turned phrase at the end of the day. If I can't be present as a mom, wife, friend, then I'm not going to be the singer I want to be either. Also, I have learned truly not to sweat the small stuff."

The COC Ensemble's Marriage of Figaro

Interview

On Monday, February 22nd at Toronto's Four Seasons Centre, the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio takes the main stage for their performance of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. This is an annual highlight for the young artists, who take on the task of understudying the main cast, on top of countless hours of preparation for their very special night.

Phillip Addis & Emily Hamper: The Pilgrim Soul

Interview

Baritone Phillip Addis and pianist Emily Hamper are preparing for the Canadian Art Song Project's upcoming concert, The Pilgrim Soul, February 19th, 7:30pm at Enoch Turner Schoolhouse. The husband-and-wife team are longtime collaborators, and for this concert they'll present a program of music by Canadians Chester Duncan, Larysa Kuzmenko, Imant Raminsh, plus works by Dominick Argento and Gustav Mahler.

Spotlight on: Christopher Allen

Interview

Allen recently made his UK debut with English National Opera's production of The Barber of Seville, and in March, he conducts Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore at Lyric Opera of Kansas City. We had the chance to ask him about his work, about communication skills, and the role opera plays in his time on the podium.

At the podium: Jordan de Souza

Interview

Conductor and keyboardist Jordan de Souza is currently assisting maestro Johannes Debus on the Canadian Opera Company's production of The Marriage of Figaro, and he'll be taking the podium for two performances, February 23 and 25. He talks with us about high pressure gigs, uncovering Mozart's meaning, and leading the fantastic Canadian Opera Company Orchestra.

Spotlight on: Rolando Sanz

Interview

"I became a singer because it was the way I found best to express myself. Some people express themselves best with a paintbrush, or on the soccer field, or by going into politics. Since I was young, I always found my sense of self-expression was connected to music. What began as a hobby as a child has turned into a career as a professional opera singer."

Spotlight on: Amanda Majeski

Interview

"There is truly something special that happens when all that work comes together for moments on a stage in front of an openhearted audience. For that evening, everyone in the room is held together by and shares that same music; there is something so beautifully uplifting about that. It’s truly infectious!"

Dion Mazerolle: the quick study

Interview

Mazerolle's Falstaff has been a lesson in quick study, having had less than a month to learn the notoriously verbose role; it's a position in which many opera singers find themselves, and it's no small feat to learn and find comfort in a leading role when the countdown is on.

Don't miss: Viva Verdi!

Interview

On February 28 at 3pm, Oshawa Opera continues its 2015/16 season with Viva Verdi!, an afternoon of arias and ensembles from one of opera's most beloved composers. Kristine Dandavino, mezzo-soprano and Artistic Director of Oshawa Opera, is joined by sopranos Stacie Carmona and Renée Salewski, baritone Michael York, tenor Jason Lamont, and pianist Sabatino Vacca for this opera-sized concert event.

Dillon Parmer & Mozart's Masonic Journey

Interview

Once again, contributor Greg Finney finds himself involved with another 'outside-the-box' concert presentation. This time it's the perennial favourite, Mozart's Die Zauberflöte. This concert's a little different, so Greg asked tenor Dillon Parmer, who organized the concert and the whole event, to give us a little more insight on what's happening with this concert, and what's coming up for him.