Loose TEA raises funds for radical new vision of Bizet's Carmen

Review

Viau's new take on the story has John already married to Michaela who comes and pleads for his return home for the sake of their kids, as opposed to his mother in the original. Ricardo is an investment banker ready to support Carmen in her dream of opening her own watering hole in exchange for her feminine charms. John is infatuated with Carmen, as she treats him like he's still a human being - something he doesn't recognize in others after two violent turns in Afghanistan.

Two emerging singers to make their Carnegie Hall debut in 2017

News

For their Carnegie debuts, Dickerson and Kalender will be joined by world-renowned pianist and conductor, Warren Jones. Kalender first met Jones at the Music Academy of the West in 2014; "I performed in a number of projects and he was my main mentor throughout the summer festival," says Kalender. "Our work together for opera scenes, art song and chamber music inspired me in so many ways, and I am delighted to collaborate with this amazing maestro at Carnegie Hall."

Rarities: opera singers on designer shopping sprees

Editorial

Our first reaction to the Times' glamour-soaked glance at one of today's leading opera singers was a bit of lip-curling, to be sure. Most of the singers we know personally are surely not spending their time between rehearsals buying "a mountain of presents, and then I buy the suitcases to carry them in." Netrebko's success is rare and extraordinary among the opera world; most artists who live solely off their performance schedule walk away with modest-to-comfortable profits after all the travel expenses, performance wardrobe, expensive scores, and hours spent with their teachers and coaches.

This year's Elizabeth Krehm Memorial Concert: a follow-up

Op-ed

At last count, the evening raised over $20,000 for the ICU at St. Michael's Hospital, showing once again that music can heal almost any hurt. On the whole, since the inaugural concert, the Krehms have raised over $60,000 in support of the place that provided Elizabeth with the top-level care and support.

Talking with singers: Ekaterina Semenchuk

Interview

"Amneris is one of the most difficult roles in the mezzo-soprano repertory. It requires intense concentration and incredible physical and moral commitment, not only in the last act as many people believe. At the very beginning of the opera, a careful, disturbing and somewhat ominous leitmotif of jealousy sounds. Amneris appears with it, lives with it throughout the opera, and by the last act the motive has become a storm."

Art song initiative commissions texts by children with autism

News

Hearing Ryan describe his greatest dream moved the Lynx team to find a way to use art song to elevate his voice and others like his. "I want to see the world not by the whole, but by the all too beautiful small things." - Ryan, age 17.

In review: Naomi's Road

Review

As Canadians, we pride ourselves on our acceptance of others, our inclusivity, and our concern for the well-being of others - but our record is not unblemished. There have been many missteps and atrocities committed by Canadians from which we can't shy away. Especially now, when we see who's running for the leadership of one of Canada's major political parties. We can not let ourselves go back to a time when stories like the one I saw tonight were happening.

Honing your craft: opera courses at The Associated Studios

News

If you're interested in training that's focused, yet flexible, have a look through the courses offered by Associate Studios. They audition on a rolling basis, with the next confirmed dates on November 30 and December 15, 2016. Click here to find out more about their Opera Courses, and to apply online.

Don't miss: Story Binge II

News

This year's line-up is an intriguing collection of opera shorts and scenes from larger works, telling stories about everything: break-ups, moving to Mars, copyright infringement, women from the Bible, life as a POW, and even different societal perceptions of AIDS.

Don't miss: Esprit Orchestra presents m'M

News

The "M" in Leroux's m'M is the phonetic interpretation of the French word for "love" ("aime"); complementary to the concerto grosso form - a handful of musicians playing alongside a large ensemble - Leroux offers that "'m' represents a small group of instrumentalists within the orchestra, and 'M' represents the remaining larger combination of players surrounding the small group."