Jerry Hadley, on style

Interview

On the recommendation of a colleague, I found this gem of an interview with the late and great tenor Jerry Hadley. At just under half an hour, it's not a big time commitment to listen to the whole thing. But I love what he says starting at 3:16, which is where I've cued up this video below.

Waiting with Lyndsay Promane & Daevyd Pepper

Interview

Mezzo-soprano Lyndsay Promane and tenor Daevyd Pepper are getting ready to present Waiting: a recital, on June 13th at 7:30, Islington United Church, with pianist Natasha Fransblow.

A sneak peek at AtG's Death & Desire

Interview

This week, Against the Grain Theatre gave a preview of their upcoming show, Death & Desire, in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre. Death & Desire combines two song cycles, Schubert's Die Schöne Müllerin and Messaien's Harawi. The two protagonists of each respective cycle are faced with each other in this "double-poeticism" by Artistic Director Joel Ivany.

Meet the Amici School of Music

Interview

Toronto-based singers Leigh-Ann Allen and Michelle Garlough are the founders of the Amici School of Music. The school offers private lessons as well as Music Together® classes for kids 0-5 years old (and their parents). When they're not teaching, Leigh and Michelle are active performers on the opera stage.

Tapestry Opera at Evergreen Brick Works

Interview

Tapestry Opera is getting ready for the world premiere of M'dea Undone, a new opera by John Harris and Marjorie Chan, in the Holcim Gallery of Evergreen Brick Works. Based on the Greek myth of Jason and Medea, M'dea Undone is a collaboration with Scottish Opera, and features a fantastic cast of Canadians.

Talking with voice teachers, or meet my mother

Interview

Mother's Day was this past weekend, and I spent it chatting with my mom on camera. Bonus: she's a singer and voice teacher who works with students of all ages. The timing was perfect to have Edwina Douglas talk about teaching teenagers, how parents can support their musically-inclined kids, and why she loves her work.

Viva Claire & Aviva!

Interview

On Sunday, I was lucky enough to find myself invited to a small private recital by two of the best young singers in the country (there, I said it). Sopranos, and besties, Claire de Sevigne and Aviva Fortunata treated us to an intimate recital before they split up for about a year.

Photographing the opera singer

Interview

A few photographers seemed to be popular among opera singers. Three of these popular photographers are Bo Huang, Dario Acosta, and Emily Ding. Dario is based in New York City, and has photographed singers like Anna Netrebko, Diana Damrau, and Plácido Domingo. Bo Huang is based in the Toronto area, working with the likes of Adrianne Pieczonka, Simone Osborne, and Krisztina Szabó. Emily Ding is an opera singer herself, and she works with Canada's rising stars (Claire de Sévigné, Jessica Muirhead, Gordon Bintner).

In rehearsal with the COC Ensemble Studio, part II

Interview

The COC Ensemble Studio's performance of The Barber of Seville happens this coming Friday, May 15th at the Four Seasons Centre. Following up to Part I, I was able to a) invade their rehearsal a little bit, and b) sit down and chat with the rest of this fantastic cast.

In rehearsal with the COC Ensemble Studio

Interview

On May 15th, 2015, the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio takes the Four Seasons Centre stage in their unique performance of The Barber of Seville. It's a big deal for these young artists to step into the mainstage roles of this ongoing production by Els Comediants, and the hype has earned them a sold-out show.