A tale of two cities: 6 fall items to catch in Boston & Toronto

Editorial

Two cities, and plenty to catch this fall. As you're marking your calendars, we've got a short list of must-see items - from bel canto to world premieres - based out of Boston and Toronto.

#TheStories, part 8

Editorial

"A well-known older male singer in the cast, with whom I had never spoken, walked past me. As he did, he placed the flat of his hand on the small of my back, just above my bum. I was taken aback that a professional singer, who I thought was an amazing musician, would randomly touch me in such an intimate way, a young woman he had never met."

"Transladapted" Bohème offers fresh, intimate production for national tour

Review

At the same time, the limited set design accentuates the quality of the music to tell the story of La bohème, from the virtuosic one-man orchestra in pianist David Eliakis, to the cast. And in a smaller space, the story becomes even more intimate and heart-wrenching.

Brownlee headlines season opener in Chicago

Review

While his vocal brilliance was not at all a surprise, Lawrence Brownlee's spirited stage antics were a consistent delight throughout the evening. Known for virtuosically ornamenting the already-florid lines of his bel canto repertoire, Brownlee seemed to be playing it safe on Saturday night, despite sounding in fantastic voice.

#TheStories, part 7

Editorial

"The one thing she said that never left me was the virgin-shaming. She said that maybe if I had sex or got a boyfriend, that it would relax me and make me a better singer. These insinuations or outright comments went on for the three years I studied with her."

Pagliacci alone makes festive, shocking season opener

Review

This, combined with a note-complete love duet, was enough for the production to justify the bells and whistles of its carnival pre-show, and I found myself not wanting for Pagliacci's much-beloved double-bill partner Cavalleria rusticana.

You have rights to your working hours: An open letter to singers

Op-Ed

Perhaps the question to ask is, why do so many young singers put up with it? I would urge my colleagues to put aside the undying loyalty to the artistic dream for a moment and speak up against unfair working conditions of any kind.

#TheStories, part 6

Editorial

"It's sad to say that I feel lucky that this is the worst thing that has happened to me in this business. I wish I had done more at the time."

#TheStories, part 5

Editorial

"Later that day, he sent me an email, in which he again referenced my 'innocence and negativity', and once again attempted to coerce me to meet with him alone at his home. I responded to this email with a reply, in which I clearly laid out my boundaries, and made requests for the parameters of our professional relationship going forward."

Talking with conductors: Francesco Lanzillotta

Interview

"Even the idea of tempo should be very flexible depending on the meaning of the words. Sometimes, even if we don't have a change of tempo written in the score, we should understand when it is necessary to move the musical line forward."