A Sneak Peek at the Barber of Seville

Interview

Rehearsals for the COC's Barber of Seville started a few days ago, and I had the chance to sit in on the concept discussion, led by director (and founder of Els Comediants) Joan Font and associate director Tanya Kane-Parry. They showed off some costume and set designs, discussed the Commedia dell'arte, and spoke about this story's web of fascinating characters.

Talking Louise with Leslie Ann Bradley

Interview

Canadian soprano Leslie Ann Bradley is currently in Toronto to sing the title role in Charpentier's Louise, for VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert's upcoming performance on March 29th. Leslie Ann had some great things to say about the opera, singing the role of Louise, and what kind of story it tells about women at the turn of the 20th century. Photo: Lisa-Marie Mazzucco.

5 Questions for Mireille Asselin & the Amici Chamber Ensemble

Interview

An interview with soprano Mireille Asselin and the Amici Chamber Ensemble, as they prepare to collaborate in concert on April 12th.

Jennifer Carter on La traviata: "Violetta is an everywoman."

Interview

An interview with soprano Jennifer Carter, who sings Violetta in Oshawa Opera's production of La traviata, April 19th.

Darryl Edwards, on Teaching Voice

Interview

An interview with Darryl Edwards, Associate Professor of Voice at the University of Toronto, and Artistic Director of the Centre for Opera Studies in Italy (COSI).

The COC's Youth Opera Lab: Die Walküre

Interview

The Canadian Opera Company offers plenty of education programs for young people and adults, including their Youth Opera Lab. The YOL is designed to give young opera fans a chance to dive deeply into the shows in the COC's season, and this month, the focus was on Atom Egoyan's upcoming production of Die Walküre.

Talking with singers, Heidi Melton

Interview

American dramatic soprano Heidi Melton is currently in Toronto to sing Sieglinde in Atom Egoyan’s upcoming production of Die Walküre at the Canadian Opera Company.

Talking with singers, Kyle Ketelsen

Interview

American bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen is in Toronto to sing Leporello in Dmitri Tcherniakov's production of Don Giovanni, currently at the COC until February 21st.

Talking with Singers, Aaron Durand

Interview

Baritone Aaron Durand is new to Toronto, originally hailing from 100 Mile House, British Columbia. If you caught Against the Grain Theatre’s production of #UncleJohn, either in Banff, AB, or in Toronto, you caught his charmingly protective performance of Masetto. Aaron is a thoughtful guy, and he agreed to chat.

This weekend: Songbook V

Interview

This Saturday, January 24th, Tapestry Opera presents Songbook V. It’s a one-night-only concert, featuring excerpts from Tapestry’s library of Canadian opera. Baritone Peter McGillivray and pianist Steven Philcox will perform along with the singers and pianists of Tapestry Opera’s New Opera 101 program.