San Diego Opera's 60th Anniversary La bohème sees Mimì as a ghost
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Go hear the Tafelmusik Vocal Competition
NewsI always recommend opera lovers to go and hear voice competitions; it's always fascinating and the energy of the competitors is something that's quite different than seeing them in a production. The event is scheduled from 1-5:45pm, and there are two intermissions during which you can meet the singers and the jury members over some food and drink. Plus, if you stay for the full afternoon, you'll be able to vote for the Audience Choice Winner.
10 student opera productions to catch this winter
NewsWe've already set you up with 2016's big-gun opera picks across Canada, but the New Year brings even more opportunities to hear today's emerging artists onstage. We've compiled 10 student opera productions to catch in Canada and the United States, and the variety of opera, traditional and contemporary, is pretty exciting.
9 ways to fend off a Canadian winter
NewsAfter all the food is cleared away, the bottles recycled, and once the days of the week start to mean something again, it's time to get back to real life. For us, real life means going to see lots and lots of shows. It's hard to bundle up in the dead of winter and brave the cold for a few hours of music, but we hope to convince you of some of our cold weather picks across Canada to kick off 2016.
Against the Grain Theatre: Banff-bound in 2016
NewsOpen Space is noticeably forward-thinking in its approach to training young artists. 13 young singers, 1 assistant director, and 1 assistant répétiteur will be selected for 5 weeks of music and staging rehearsals, lessons, coachings, and performance opportunities within the Banff community. "The focus of Open Space is to impart the skills of tomorrow to the young opera professionals of today."
Schwag: the Schmopera Store
NewsAlthough it's a labour of love, operating a blog like this is no small feat. That's why, instead of cluttering your experience with ads, we've opted instead to open the Schmopera Store, where you can shop for unique opera-centric apparel. Our T-shirts and hoodies are designed by the Schmopera team, from one set of opera nerds to another.
The performing arts, in 360˚
NewsWith the Google Cultural Institute, you can listen to the dress rehearsal for Lohengrin at Fundação Theatro Municipal de São Paulo, or watch Yannick Nézet-Séguin conduct the Philadelphia Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, or basically stand onstage for a rehearsal of Gregory Doran's Henry V at The Royal Shakespeare Company. Multiple 360˚ cameras are placed in the space, sitting you right among the woodwinds, or centre stage among the sets.
Don't miss: Electric Messiah
NewsThese days, you can hear your beloved Messiah any way you like it. Soundstreams is trying out a brand new way to hear Handel's ubiquitous, beloved work. On December 7 and 8, as part of their Ear Candy series, Soundstreams presents Electric Messiah, or, "Handel goes Underground: A stripped down, surround-sound electro-improv Messiah for today’s Toronto."
Don't miss: AtG's Messiah
NewsHallelujah! Massey Hall presents AtG's Messiah at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre, December 16-19th. Mokrzewski conducts Handel's infamous score (bonus: I can be spotted at the harpsichord), and Ivany collaborates with dancer and choreographer Jennifer Nichols to present something innovative, featuring very little parking or barking. "We ditched the 'stand and deliver' performance, tuxedos and choral folders, and mounted a barefoot, choreographed oratorio — one that walked the line between edgy and faithful."
HOS: Cocktails & a concert
NewsHighlands Opera Studio is entering its 10th season, and they're ready to throw a party about it. The afternoon will feature performances by star tenor and HOS Artistic Director Richard Margison, as well as alumni singers Adam Luther, tenor, Marjorie Maltais, mezzo (and recent COC Ensemble Studio Competition finalist), baritone Michael Nyby, and soprano Lauren Margison.
Don't miss: Sondra Radvanovsky at Koerner Hall
NewsHer performance of Queen Elizabeth I stayed with me a long time after seeing the Canadian Opera Company's 2014 production of Roberto Devereux, so Sondra Radvanovsky's upcoming recital at Toronto's Koerner Hall is on my absolutely-do-not-miss list.