Artist of the Week
Artist of the Week 17 Qs for Michelle Lafferty
The Artist of the Week is Canadian Indigeous mezzo-soprano Michelle Lafferty. She will be singing the roles of The Abbess and Mistress of the Novices in Calgary Concert Opera’s double-bill of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and Puccini’s Suor Angelica on September 12th and 14th. This week, Michelle shares her favourite composers, best advice and favourite backstage snack. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 16 Qs for Taryn Plater
The Artist of the Week is Canadian mezzo-soprano Taryn Plater. She will be singing the title role in La Tragédie de Carmen with Nebula Performances from August 28th to September 7th. This week, Taryn chats with us about fulfilling her childhood dream, recent multidisciplinary projects and how her career as an urban planner influences her art. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 16 Qs for Odéi Bilodeau
The Artist of the Week is Canadian soprano Odéi Bilodeau. She will be singing the role of Frasquita in Bizet’s Carmen at Festival d’opéra de Québec. This week, Odéi shares how her first desk job led to her singing career, memories of a fiery performance and the best advice she’s been given. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 20 Qs for Emily Rocha
The Artist of the Week is Canadian soprano Emily Rocha. She will be singing the role of Laurie Moss in Toronto City Opera‘s production of The Tender Land from June 18th to 22nd. This week, Emily shares how Taylor Swift inspired her to take singing lessons, her favourite opera houses and the singing tools she can’t live without. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 15 Qs for Rachel Krehm
The Artist of the Week is Canadian soprano Rachel Krehm. She will be singing the role of Big Sister in Opera 5’s world premiere of Come Closer from June 13th to 21st. Rachel is also the librettist of Come Closer, which is based on her experience of losing her sister Elizabeth to addiction. This week, Rachel shares her first operatic experience, her favourite dish to cook and why she loves the artistic process. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 20 Qs for Jaclyn Grossman
The Artist of the Week is Canadian soprano Jaclyn Grossman. She will be singing the role of Brünnhilde in Wagner’s Die Walküre at Edmonton Opera from June 5th to 13th. This week, Jaclyn shares her mantras, why the Valkyries made her tear up and the importance of community. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 16 Qs for Julie McIsaac
The Artist of the Week is Canadian director Julie McIsaac. She will be directing composer Lembit Beecher and librettist Hannah Moscovitch’s chamber opera Sophia’s Forest at City Opera Vancouver from May 29th to June 1st This week, Julie shares what she loves most about working with singers, her favourite composers and her go to pair of shoes. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 16 Qs for Ariane Cossette
The Artist of the Week is Canadian soprano Ariane Cossette. She is one of four Canadian competitors in the Concours musical international de Montréal (CMIM). The CMIM is an internationally renowned competition presenting the best classical musicians of the new generation. Twenty-four singers from around the world will compete from May 25th to June 6th in Montreal. This week, Ariane shares what she is reading, why she loves being an opera artist and her favourite coffee shop. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 21 Qs for Karoline Podolak
The Artist of the Week is Polish-Canadian soprano Karoline Podolak. She is one of four Canadian competitors in the Concours musical international de Montréal (CMIM). The CMIM is an internationally renowned competition presenting the best classical musicians of the new generation. Twenty-four singers from around the world will compete from May 25th to June 6th in Montreal. This week, Karoline shares a lucky encounter with one of her favourite musicians, funny performance mishaps and the roles she’d like to sing…if she was a tenor. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 20 Qs for Meher Pavri
The Artist of the Week is Parsi-Canadian soprano Meher Pavri. She is playing the Voice of Krishna in Why Not Theatre’s Mahabharata: Part 2. The show is a 2-part adaption of the classical Hindu text and features a 15-minute long operatic adaptation of the Bhagavad Gita performed by Meher. Mahabharata: Part 1 & 2 recently finished runs at the Perth Festival in Australia and Canadian Stage in Toronto. It will be playing at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa from May 13th to 24th. This week, Meher shares what’s she’s reading, how her colleagues inspire her and her favourite mind-calming practices. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 20 Qs for Luka Kawabata
The Artist of the Week is Nikkei-Canadian baritone Luka Kawabata. He will be singing the roles of Yamadori and the Imperial Commissioner in Vancouver Opera’s Madama Butterfly from April 26th to May 4th. This week, Luka chats with us about his interdisciplinary career, finding balance and happiness and his hopes for the future of opera. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 16 Qs for Sarah Dufresne
The Artist of the Week is Canadian soprano Sarah Dufresne. She will be singing the role of Gilda in Pacific Opera Victoria’s Rigoletto from April 23rd to 29th. This week, Sarah share her go-to coffee spots, the roles she wants to be singing and her favourite composers. Read on to find out more.