In review: Ekaterina Gubanova & Rachel Andrist in recital

Review

Since Ekaterina was completely stunning in Bluebeard, I was eager to hear her up close, in the well-lit Amphitheatre. The women treated us to two sets of Russian songs; Three Songs by Tchaikovsky preceded Modest Mussorgsky's amazing Songs and Dances of Death.

(not quite) In review: The COC Ensemble Studio's Barber of Seville

Review

After much hype and much rehearsal, the young artists of the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio had their go at The Barber of Seville on the Four Seasons Centre Stage. This is a yearly offering for the Ensemble Studio; for one performance a year, they step into the roles of a mainstage production, which they've also been following as understudies.

In review: Toronto Masque Theatre's Les Indes Mécaniques

Review

I braved the land of construction last night, heading to the Fleck Dance Theatre at Harbourfront Centre to catch the final instalment of Toronto Masque Theatre's 2014/15 season. TMT presents Rameau's Les Indes Mécaniques (ou Les Automates de Topkapi), a delightfully bizarre opera about girls and boys, and how they end up with each other.

He said/she said: Talisker Players, with Carla Huhtanen & Andrea Ludwig

Review

Tuesday night, Greg & I went to hear the Talisker Players at Trinity-St. Paul's on Bloor. The Players' chamber series is always a guarantee for great performances and interesting programming, and this concert was no exception. Entitled Heroes, Gods & Mortals, the programme included two of my favourite singers to watch: Carla Huhtanen and Andrea Ludwig.

In review: Bluebeard's Castle/ Erwartung

Review

Last night I was able to check off one of my must-sees. For a while I felt like the only opera fan in Toronto who hadn't seen Robert Lepage's double bill of Bluebeard's Castle/Erwartung, but I fixed that. The production couldn't have brought more hype along with it, and I usually try and ignore hype so that it doesn't skew my otherwise fine enjoyment of a production. The rumours turned out to be true, and I was amazed.

In review: Earnest, the Importance of Being

Review

Last night I went to opening night of Earnest, the Importance of Being at Toronto Operetta Theatre. The piece, by Victor Davies and Eugene Benson, had its premiere in 2008. It's a rare thing to find an original Canadian operetta, and this one is a hilarious and charming take on Oscar Wilde's *The Importance of Being Earnest*.

In review: Béatrice & Bénédict at MYO

Review

Yesterday I went to hear Metro Youth Opera's production of Berlioz' Béatrice & Bénédict at Daniels Spectrum. I hadn't seen the opera before, and whenever I plan to see a piece for the first time, I rarely look up details like a plot synopsis. I'm one of those people that thinks that opera fans should have the option of enjoying a piece without needing to do homework, and I was pleased that MYO's B&B was clear and entertaining, language barriers (and Shakespeare) aside.

In review: The Barber of Seville at the COC

Review

I went yesterday afternoon to see The Barber of Seville at the Four Seasons Centre. The anticipation was serious, especially since I was able to see the director's concept discussion, and I interviewed three singers from the cast, Joshua Hopkins, Alek Shrader, and Serena Malfi.

In review: Die Walküre at the COC

Review

Last night I finally got the chance to satisfy my curiosity, by seeing the Canadian Opera Company’s current production of Die Walküre, directed by Atom Egoyan (and running until Feb. 22). Since the 2014/15 season was announced, I had been eager to see Egoyan’s take on Wagner, and to hear Christine Goerke as Brünnhilde.

The 2015 Quilico Awards

Review

Last night the members of the COC Ensemble Studio competed in the Christine and Louis Quilico Awards, in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre at the Four Seasons Centre. From my own experience with the 2013 Quilico Awards, I know that this intra-Ensemble competition can be tough on the singers.