In review: Squeezebox

Review

In an eclectic program that only an accomplished company like Soundstreams can pull off, we were treated to Squeezebox, a program of instruments from the accordion family, which is a thing, and includes one played with your mouth (think harmonica meets tiny bagpipes and has a threesome with an accordion.)

Don't miss: Toronto Opera Initiative's Don Giovanni

News

Need a last-minute-Valentine's-Day opera fix? This Saturday at 7pm at College Street United Church, Toronto Opera Initiative presents Mozart's tale of romance and love (?), Don Giovanni. The cast is full of exciting young artists, including baritone Andrey Andreychik in the title role, and Toronto Opera Initiative founder and General Manager, Jaclyn Grossman as Donna Anna.

Once again, shushing meanies

Editorial

It's almost a good thing that we now have this example of critics body-shaming a male singer, since we can put to rest some of the sexism claims that accompany criticism of women onstage. I've often thought that when you boil down an objection about a fat person falling in love, or some dumb variation on this "problem", you really just peel back the truth about the objector, who's letting the world know that they actually feel this way.

Music: the musician's therapy, except when it's not

Op-ed

One the one hand, you could argue that the test of a true musician is similar to that saying, "you know who your real friends are when your friendship costs them time and money." A real musician is one who wants to make and listen to music when there's no deadline, and no paycheque on the horizon. Right? I don't actually think that's right, but it's a nagging idea.

In review: The Marriage of Figaro

Review

The comedy in Mozart's masterpiece isn't lost on Guth, but he makes a strong focal point out psychoanalyzing the characters, exploring how they perceive their relationships with each other, and how they deal with any emotion related to lust.

He said/she said: Songbook VI

Review

This past weekend marked the sixth in Tapestry Opera's Songbook series, which present new Canadian opera, performed by emerging Canadian artists. It sounds like a simple concept, but these workshop-showcase concerts are consistently an intense and memorable event.

AGO Friday Nights: nostalgia and newchoir

Editorial

They offered up hits by CCR, The Guess Who (who share their Winnipeg hometown with newchoir pianist Donovan LeNabat), Elvis, and Pink Floyd. The choir is full of enthusiastic amateurs, the kind of ensemble that makes for excellent people watching; I always love looking at the individuals that make up a choir, and how you can see all the different reasons that they're there.

Spotlight on: Christopher Allen

Interview

Allen recently made his UK debut with English National Opera's production of The Barber of Seville, and in March, he conducts Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore at Lyric Opera of Kansas City. We had the chance to ask him about his work, about communication skills, and the role opera plays in his time on the podium.

At the podium: Jordan de Souza

Interview

Conductor and keyboardist Jordan de Souza is currently assisting maestro Johannes Debus on the Canadian Opera Company's production of The Marriage of Figaro, and he'll be taking the podium for two performances, February 23 and 25. He talks with us about high pressure gigs, uncovering Mozart's meaning, and leading the fantastic Canadian Opera Company Orchestra.

Spotlight on: Rolando Sanz

Interview

"I became a singer because it was the way I found best to express myself. Some people express themselves best with a paintbrush, or on the soccer field, or by going into politics. Since I was young, I always found my sense of self-expression was connected to music. What began as a hobby as a child has turned into a career as a professional opera singer."