Reviews

The ensemble from heaven sends Don Giovanni to hell

The ensemble from heaven sends Don Giovanni to hell

The standout of the evening was Justin Welsh as Leporello. With comedic timing second to none, Welsh’s Leporello was long-suffering, but wily, and every scene he was in was hilarious with so much physical comedy it brought the house down.

Melissa Ratcliff
Daniel shines in Manitoba Opera's Gala Concert

Daniel shines in Manitoba Opera's Gala Concert

The crowd rose to their feet after this aria, applauding and cheering an downright incredible performance. And her singing in the final quartet, from Verdi's Rigoletto, reminded me of Denyce Graves.

Neil Weisensel
Review: Re-telling stories with Amplify 1.0

Review: Re-telling stories with Amplify 1.0

It's been quite the long-haul here in the GTA, but it's great to be back on the beat. After two years out of the habit, it was great to find myself at the Museum of Contemporary Art to check out Amplified Opera's first offering in their concert series — after several delays — AMPLIFY 1.0.

Greg Finney
A psyche in vignettes: Steve Jobs in Kansas City

A psyche in vignettes: Steve Jobs in Kansas City

The dramatic irony of someone denying paternity (but yet still naming his first computer model after his daughter Lisa) who was no doubt questioning his own lineage is fascinating. Jobs' treatment of the women, and other people, in his life is a dark theme in the work.

Callie Cooper
Surreal, Devastating Journeys Through Nighttown

Surreal, Devastating Journeys Through Nighttown

All I can say, is that I think this opera has an immense future in the opera house, and I cannot wait to see the life it is no doubt going to take.

Arturo Fernandez
A Sunday afternoon at Carnegie Hall

A Sunday afternoon at Carnegie Hall

The composite was a perceptive and refreshingly theatrical portrait of a complex and insightful woman, a musically shimmering, angry and sometimes languid conclusion to an extraordinary Sunday afternoon at Carnegie Hall.

John Hohmann
An excellent use of camp: Only an Octave Apart

An excellent use of camp: Only an Octave Apart

Musically, Only an Octave Apart has no business being so clever. The aria/song mash-ups are the product of a lot of thought and respect for the original works, but they're also so much fun.

Jenna Simeonov
Edmonton Opera delivers "all-the-feels" Bohème

Edmonton Opera delivers "all-the-feels" Bohème

The company has a triumphant opening night in spite of off-stage challenges.

Oliver Munar
Digital Svabda a ritualistic enigma, with some confusion

Digital Svabda a ritualistic enigma, with some confusion

I have to admit, after a while, the music did draw me in. This is an opera I suspect some people will have to sit with, but it will pull you into its language. And when it does, it does feel remarkably transformative afterwards.

Arturo Fernandez
Enchanting Production Brings Calgary Opera Back to Live, In-Person Audience

Enchanting Production Brings Calgary Opera Back to Live, In-Person Audience

On this night, the company’s full roster of emerging artists (now branded as the McPhee Artists in honour of the company’s longtime Artistic Director and CEO) enchanted the audience with a whimsical production that the whole family would enjoy.

Oliver Munar

Unlike other sites, we're keeping Schmopera ad-free. We want to keep our site clean and our opinions our own. Support us for as little as $1.00 per month.