Party arias: the traits of lesser operas?

Editorial

When it's harder to pull a section away from an entire scene, to find the real beginnings and ends of an aria, does that mean the opera is a purer melding of theatre and music? When a singer fights the urge to sing a bit from Bluebeard's Castle, and opts instead for "Quando m'en vo", are her urges founded in some quantifiable difference in quality?

Dean Burry on "The Highwayman"

Interview

On May 3 and 4 at Toronto's Trinity-St. Paul's Centre, the Talisker Players present Cross'd by the Stars, a concert filled with music about "soulmates who are fated to be torn apart." Mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabó, baritone Aaron Durand, and reader Stewart Arnott join the Talisker Players for works by Purcell, Gluck, Bernstein, Mahler, and the premiere of Dean Burry's The Highwayman, based on the poem by Alfred Noyes.

3 TV opera references with great meaning (maybe)

Humour

Is McGill reflected in those poor ladies, tricked by Albuquerque Alfonso into what seemed like a lucrative case? Or is it a more general reminder that Jimmy McGill is about as trustworthy as Alfonso himself? Like Puccini, Mozart places deception in a package that's pretty on the outside; sweet-talking, truth-bending McGill certainly makes a career doing the same thing.

Talking with Renaissance men: Matthew Sharp, part 2

Interview

In the second of our series of chats with cellist, baritone, and actor Matthew Sharp, we get into the nitty-gritty of what it means to be an interdisciplinary artist. Sharp chats about learning to sing and play simultaneously, and how he has developed the skills to create something greater than the sum of its parts, like his "one-man, interactive musical epic for 7-year-olds and their adults", Tommy Foggo - Superhero.

Paris Reflected at Southwark Cathedral

Review

The whole evening was one that urged us to simply close our eyes and listen. It's always refreshing to hear a well-honed orchestra with so much attention paid to the experience, rather than relying simply on the deep roots of traditional classical concert tropes.

"Ah! Non abbiamo il soprano!"

News

In interesting timing, Gheorghiu recently announced that she would be cancelling her recital at London's Royal Festival Hall, which was scheduled for April 25th. Apparently, the soprano is ill, and her doctor has prescribed her some vocal rest. The concert hasn't yet been rescheduled, but hopefully that will change.

Has everyone seen The Tinder Opera?

Humour

Seriously, it's our current obsession. Brilliantly composed by Scott Joiner, and written/directed by Adam Taylor, Connection Lost isn't just funny "for an opera", it's goddamn hilarious, period. Brian Morales conducts a chamber ensemble and a host of opera singing Tinder dates, as one man's quest for romantic connection takes him through a lot of swiping left, and a charming amount of hopeful right-swiping.

Tales from stage management

Interview

Stage managers are an organized bunch, a team who knows everything about you, and what you'll need next. They help directors, singers, schedulers, wardrobe and make-up departments; they're the glue that holds the show together, and they stay humbly obscured, dressed in black and standing just out of the audience's sight.

In review: Jenůfa with the Czech Philharmonic

Review

As Jenůfa's mother, Kostelnička, Karita Mattila was a total force. She tore into the role's enormous range and horrific moments of drama with her notoriously brazen energy. She sang wildly at moments, yet it was funneled through a perfect character, one who constantly veers outside the comfortable and controlled.

Opera for voyeurs: Opera Peep Show

Interview

Opera Peep Show begins with a cocktail party in the bar, where the audience can choose different opera scenes from a menu. When they pick a scene, they pay a fee and are given a room key. They then walk into an opera scene happening in one of the museum’s rooms, already in progress. Each scene is presented by a different Toronto-based indie opera company. Opera Peep Show experiments with pay-as-you-go micro-payments for the audience.