Centre Stage 2014: Let's Hear It For the Boys

Review

Last night the seven finalists of the COC's Ensemble Studio Competition sang on the stage of the Four Seasons Centre for the second annual Centre Stage Gala. I like this event, and I like the hype it brings to this exciting part of today's opera world. This year, Centre Stage was hosted by Canada's favourite tenor, Ben Heppner, who was as warm and funny as he was respectful of the competitors.

In review: Tapestry Briefs: Booster Shots

Review

Tapestry Opera is currently enjoying its 35th anniversary season, and they seem to be celebrating by putting on fantastic theatre (and a bit of food and drink). I went to see Tapestry Briefs: Booster Shots on Sunday night, the last of three performances in the Distillery Historic District.

He said/She said: Aprile Millo at Trinity St. Paul's

Review

On Saturday night I went with go-to concert date Greg Finney to Trinity St. Paul's Centre on Bloor Street to hear the great Aprile Millo in recital. Upon opening sitting down and flipping through the programme, I was a little humbled to find out that I really should have known more about Aprile.

In review: Extensions of Us

Review

On a cool Thursday night I trotted down to the Extension Room at 30 Eastern Avenue for Extensions of Us, featuring Lucia Cesaroni, Adrian Kramer, Jennifer Nichols and Justin De Bernardi with Maika'i Nash on piano.

He Said/She Said: Alcina at Opera Atelier

Review

Greg and I headed to the Elgin Theatre to see opening night of Opera Atelier's Alcina, and we teamed up on another joint review. Bonus: Greg can speak intelligently about Atelier Ballet, something I won't pretend to know well.

In review: Madama Butterfly

Review

On Wednesday, October 15th I made my way on over the Four Seasons Centre at University and Queen Street West to check out the Canadian Opera Company‘s production of Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini (duh, Greg.)g

Falstaff: He said/She said

Review

Greg and I went together to the COC's current production of Verdi's Falstaff, starring the cream of the Canadian crop. We decided to combine forces and write a joint review. Who loved what? Read on to see.

In review: A Shropshire Lad

Review

I went to another installation of the Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, to hear COC Ensemble members Iain MacNeil and Jean-Philippe Fortier-Lazure sing. The program was two sets of song by English composers: George Butterworth's Six Songs from a Shropshire Lad and Ivor Gurney's Ludlow and Teme, both with texts from the 63 poems in Alfred Edward Housman's A Shropshire Lad.

In review: Lucia di Lammermoor at Opera By Request

Review

Last night I went to see Lucia di Lammermoor with Opera By Request. It was one of those nights I often have in Toronto, where a good chunk of the cast is made up of friends and colleagues, and my curiosity was piqued to hear some of these young singers in their Lucia roles.

In review: Offenbach/Hahn

Review

Last night was opening night at the New Theatre Alliance Française de Toronto for Opera 5's (check out their Opera Cheats) season opener: a romp through the French obsession with the Far East during the 19th century. We were treated to a double bill of Île du rêve by Reynaldo Hahn and Ba-Ta-Clan By Jacques Offenbach, two very different pieces that not only show the varied differences of the East's influence on Western music, but also the versatility of a stellar cast of darn fine singers.