Artist of the Week
Artist of the Week 38 Qs for Neil Craighead
The Artist of the Week is Canadian bass-baritone Neil Craighead. Currently in Edmonton, Neil is preparing the role of Wotan in Wagner’s Das Rheingold for Edmonton Opera’s upcoming production, running May 28- June 1. This week Neil took a few moments out of rehearsal to chat with us about the ups and downs of being an opera artist, what role he would love to be singing right now, and what big investment was worth the money. Read on to find out more
Artist of the Week 17 Qs for Carolyn Sproule
The Artist of the Week is Canadian mezzo soprano Carolyn Sproule. She is currently preparing the role of Kate Pinkerton in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly at the Hyogo Performing Arts Center, running July 12 -21. This week Carolyn sat down with us to share who inspires her to sing, how she views success, and how mediation and yoga has transformed her life and how she approaches her singing. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 20 Qs for Krisztina Szabó
The Artist of the Week is Canadian-Hungarian mezzo soprano Krisztina Szabó. Next month she will be taking on the role of Mrs. Grose in Britten’s Turn of the Screw with Opera 5, running June 12 to15. This week we sat down with Krisztina, she shared what happiness means to her, the funniest thing that has ever happened to her onstage, and what is the best thing about being an opera artist. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 20 Qs for Jessica Latouche
The Artist of the Week is Canadian soprano Jessica Latouche. Currently in rehearsals in the role of Rosalinde for Opéra de Québec’s production of La chauve-souris, May 11-18. In between rehearsals Jessica sat down to talk to us about what inspired her to become a singer, some of her favourite roles, and how she deals with the tough rejection that comes with the music industry. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 17 Qs for Natalya Gennadi
The Artist of the Week is Ukrainian-Canadian soprano Natalya Gennadi. She is currently in rehearsals with Soundstreams for their upcoming production, Grandma’s Shawl. This is a piece she curated and is featured in – a musical journey inspired by the tale of Kokum Shawls, telling the story of the lasting bond between Ukrainian women and Indigenous women. Get your tickets for this one night only event on May 4. Lucky for us, Natalya was able to spare a few minutes to share with us who inspires her as a singer, how she shared a tea date with the great Ileana Cotrubas, and what she would do if she won the lottery. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 10 Qs for Emma Parkinson
The Artist of the Week is Canadian mezzo soprano Emma Parkinson. She is preparing the role of Flora in Verdi’s La Traviata for Opéra de Massy’s upcoming production. Emma was kind enough to sit down with us to talk about what her view of success looks like, what opera caused her to cry for the very first time, and how she is secretly an incredible salsa dancer. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 16 Qs for Lara Ciekiewicz
The Artist of the Week is Canadian soprano Lara Ciekiewicz. Currently, she is in her hometown preparing the role of Micaëla for Manitoba Opera’s upcoming production of Carmen, running April 13-19. This week Lara spared a few minutes to share with us how she is working on her braiding designs for her Easter paska, how she experiences the ups and downs of the industry, and what it means to her to be brave with music including some amazing hashtags #humblingandmagical #dothething #artforall. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 18 Qs for Antoine Bélanger
The Artist of the Week is Canadian tenor Antoine Bélanger who is currently in Montreal reprising his role as Znorko in Enigma. Originally premiered by l’Opera de Metz, it is now being produced by Opéra de Montréal, running April 7-14. We sat down to talk to Antoine about what inspired him to start singing, his love of Lord of the Rings, and how his career has taught him how to be resilient in the face of adversity. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 19 Qs for Suzanne Rigden
Canadian soprano, Suzanne Rigden is our Artist of the Week. Currently she is in Victoria preparing for one of opera’s longest roles: Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro with Pacific Opera Victoria, running April 3 -9. In between rehearsals, Suzanne sat down to talk to us about how she deals with the rejection that comes hand in hand with this industry, the adventures her family took during the pandemic in a camper van, and how a perfectly timed cat appearance made for the very best singing in the shower moment. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 15 Qs for Danielle MacMillan
The Artist of the Week is Canadian-Italian mezzo soprano Danielle MacMillan. She is currently in Toronto in rehearsals for Opera Atelier’s upcoming production All is Love, running at Koerner Hall from April 11-14 .We sat down with Danielle to chat about what she is currently reading, directors that she has worked with that have inspired her artistic journey, and how she defines happiness: “We look to high for things close by. Stop searching, never mind it; for happiness, like something lost, is always where you find it.”. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 20 Qs for Laura Nielsen
The Artist of the Week is Canadian soprano Laura Nielsen. Currently working overseas, Laura is performing the role of Freia in Theater Erfurt’s upcoming production of Das Rheingold, running March 23 to May 29. In between rehearsals, Laura shared with us the biggest risk she’s ever taken with a role, which currently performing artists she admires, and what opera role she would love to be performing right now. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 26 Qs for Rosemary Thomson
The Artist of the Week is Canadian conductor and Opera Kelowna Music Director, Rosemary Thomson. Rose is currently preparing for Opera Kelowna’s upcoming production Wreckonciliation, co-created by Indigenous Artists Marion Newman, Melody Courage & Yvette Nolan, running March 14-16. This week we sat down with Rose to talk about who inspires her, what her first opera experience was like, and the best advice she ever received from one of her mentors, Boris Brott. Read on to find out more.