Artist of the Week
Artist of the Week 24 Qs for Elizabeth Polese
Our Artist of the Week is Toronto-born soprano Elizabeth Polese. This weekend, she makes her role debut with Opéra de Montréal singing Nuria in Osvaldo Golijov’s Ainadamar running March 18 to 26. She sits down with us to reflect on life as an opera singer—the ups and downs, lessons learned, favourite places she’s worked, and more.
Artist of the Week 26 Qs for Aviva Fortunata
Our artist of the week is Calgary-born soprano Aviva Fortunata. This week she makes her role and company debut with Sarasota Opera singing Elvira in Verdi’s Ernani. She sat down with us to reflect on her career in opera, stage mishaps and the best advice she’s ever received.
Artist of the Week 31 Qs for Kyle Albertson
Our Artist of the Week is Kyle Albertson, who also stars as Prometheus in Pacific Opera Victoria’s The Birds. A frequent performer on many of the world’s leading stages, Albertson is celebrated for his luxurious voice and versatility at bringing characters to life on stage.
Artist of the Week 28 Qs for Claire de Sévigné
Montreal-born soprano Claire de Sévigné is our Artist of the Week. Since graduating from McGill University and the University of Toronto, she has performed regularly on many of North America and Europe’s stages (including the Canadian Opera Company, Opernhaus Zürich, Salzburg Festival, and Toronto Symphony Orchestra).
Artist of the Week 15 Qs for Michael Schade
Our Artist of the Week is Michael Schade, one of the world’s leading tenors. A voice well-recognized on many of the world’s leading stages, Schade has also earned a reputation as an exceptional concert and recital soloist and award-winning recording artist. See him perform as Herod in the Canadian Opera Company’s current production of Salome running until February 24.
Artist of the Week 16 Qs for Ambur Braid
Our Artist of the Week is Canadian soprano Ambur Braid, celebrated for her electrifying portrayals of powerful women and sensational debuts. We connected with her to chat all things opera, from lessons learned to favourite coffeeshops. Watch her sing the title role in Canadian Opera Company’s production of Salome running until Feb 24.
Artist of the Week 28 Qs for Luca Pisaroni
Our Artist of the Week is acclaimed Italian bass-baritone Luca Pisaroni. Renowned for his captivating presence on stage, Pisaroni has continued to build upon his impressive career singing on the world’s leading stages and earning achievements including the Opera News Award and being recognized as one of Opera for Peace’s Peace Ambassadors. He returns to the COC this month to sing the title role in the company’s production of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, running until February 18.
Artist of the Week 32 Qs for Gordon Bintner
Our Artist of the Week is Canadian bass baritone Gordon Bintner, who makes his return this week to the Canadian Opera Company’s stage singing the Count in the company’s production of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. Bintner has announced a number of exciting projects for this upcoming season, including a return to the Royal Opera House singing Albert in Massenet’s Werther, and a yet-to-be-announced debut at Lyric Opera of Chicago. Canadian Opera Company’s The Marriage of Figaro runs January 27 until February 18.
Artist of the Week 27 Qs for Jordan de Souza
Canadian conductor Jordan de Souza kicks off our Artist of the Week series in 2023, answering 27 questions about life, music, and lessons learned. Watch him in Theater an der Wien’s new production of Offenbach’s La Périchole running until January 31.
Artist of the Week 20 Qs for Bryan Wagorn
Our final Artist of the Week for 2022 is Canadian pianist and vocal coach, Bryan Wagorn. Wagorn regularly performs throughout North America, Europe, and Asia as soloist, chamber musician, and recital accompanist to the world’s leading singers and instrumentalists.
Artist of the Week 24 Qs for Joshua Hopkins
Juno Award-winning and Grammy-nominated Canadian baritone Joshua Hopkins is recognized as one of the finest singer-actors of his generation, and he is using his voice to raise awareness for the global epidemic of gender-based violence. A number of notable appearances have been announced for his 2022-23 season, including the orchestral world premiere and Ontario tour of Songs for Murdered Sisters – conceived by Hopkins, and by composer Jake Heggie and author Margaret Atwood.
Artist of the Week 24 Qs for Gerald Finley
Grammy-award winning Canadian bass-baritone Gerald Finley has announced a number of exciting projects to come in 2022/23, most recently, singing Il Conte di Almaviva in Opéra National de Paris’ new production of Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro running until Dec 28. We had the chance to sit down with Finley and chat all things opera, from life lessons to craziest stage mishaps.