“He was master of the score’s details and the orchestra played superbly for him.”

American conductor Stephen Lord comes back to Toronto early this year, and we’re excited. He’ll conduct Un ballo in maschera at the Canadian Opera Company, opening February 2nd; after his stunning Lucia di Lammermoor last year, that’s a lot to look forward to. Lord is one of four conductors named in Opera News’ “25 Most Powerful Names in U.S. Opera,” and he can be seen on podiums at San Francisco Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Opera Theater St. Louis, Wolf Trap Opera and Opéra de Montreal. We had the chance to chat last year, and he spoke about working with young singers, conducting opera, and about the power of live theatre. It’s just the kind of timeless wisdom and big grin you’d expect. Enjoy!

For more with Stephen Lord, check out barzcablog’s “10 Questions for Stephen Lord.”