Artist of the Week
Artist of the Week 21 Qs for Vartan Gabrielian
The Artist of the Week Canadian-Armenian bass-baritone Vartan Gabrielian, who will be performing the role of Lo Zio Bonzo in Madama Butterfly with the Opéra National de Paris, running September 14 -October 25. This week, chatted with Vartan about the importance of finding a teacher who you trust, his favourite city to work in, and who has been inspiring him. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 20 Qs for Mishael Eusebio
The Artist of the Week is Filipino-Canadian tenor Mishael Eusebio, who is returning to Toronto to perform with Tapestry Opera’s Box Concerts, which brings music and performances to neighbourhoods across the GTA, running until Sept 14. This week, we sat down with Mishael to talk about what he loves to sing, his latest television and recording binges, and the best advice he has ever been given: “You never stop learning” (something we could all learn from).
Artist of the Week 22 Qs for Sydney Baedke
The Artist of the Week is Canadian soprano Sydney Baedke. She is currently in Calgary performing in Ammolite Opera’s inaugural season, in their production of Proving Up, and new opera by Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek. There are a few more chances to see this innovative show on August 27, 28, and 30 (tickets and info here). This week, Sydney found time to chat with us in between performances to share what it is like to be performing of a company’s inaugural season, what roles she would love to be singing now and in ten years, as well as how she views success in the industry. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 34 Qs for Hillary Tufford
The Artist of the Week is Canadian mezzo soprano Hillary Tufford. Currently in Toronto, Hillary is in rehearsals for Toronto City Opera’s upcoming production of Bizet’s Carmen, where she will be performing the titular role, running June 19-23. In between her busy rehearsal schedule, Hillary found time to chat with us about who first inspired her to sing, what roles she would like to be singing in 10 years, and how she values the moments of difficulty in life that allow her to grow and learn. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 18 Qs for Neema Bickersteth
The Artist of the Week is Canadian singer/artist/maker Neema Bickersteth, who is currently in Toronto rehearsing for the Canadian Opera Company’s upcoming production of Aportia Chryptych: A Black Opera for Portia White, running June 14-16. This week are fortunate that Neema found a few spare minutes in between rehearsals to talk to us about where she finds inspiration, how she defines success, and how her young daughter gave her the best advice she has ever been given. Read on to find out more.
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.