Artist of the Week
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.
Artist of the Week 19 Qs for Stephanie Tritchew
Our Artist of the Week is Canadian mezzo-soprano Stephanie Tritchew. In partnership with collaborative pianist Holly Kroeker, Stephanie is performing a series of recitals entitled The Longing Project, which features pieces by Cecilia Livingston, Sarah Kirkland Snider, and world premieres of pieces by Danika Lorèn. This week we sat down to talk with this grounded artist to talk about what she is currently reading, how she copes with the rejection that comes with being a singer, and how she describes what success means to her. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 20 Qs for Matthew Dalen
This week’s Artist of the Week is Canadian tenor Matthew Dalen. To celebrate the legendary voice of La Divina, Matthew is joining Orchestre symphonique de Laval in their upcoming concert Tribute to La Callas, running for one night only on Feb 28. We sat down with Matthew to talk this week and he was kind enough to share what people don’t know about the life of an opera singer, how he views success, and new position as Artistic Director of the Peace Region Music Series.
Artist of the Week 29 Qs for Miriam Khalil
This week’s Artist of the Week is Canadian-Lebanese soprano, Miriam Khalil. Miriam is in Victoria starring as Margarita Xirgu in Golijov’s Ainadamar with Pacific Opera Victoria, running Feb 21 – 27. In between rehearsals, Miriam sat down with us to talk about when she knew she wanted to be an opera singer, what she thinks is the goal of opera, and how to deal with the rejection that comes with this career: “don’t let it take anything from your self esteem or your drive, instead use it as momentum to get better each day”. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 15 Qs for Giles Tomkins
This week’s Artist of the Week is Canadian/Britsh bass-baritone, Giles Tomkins. Giles is currently starring as Parson/Badger in Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen with the Canadian Opera Company (running until Feb 16). Take special note of their Relaxed Performance happening for one night only on Feb 13. Giles generously sat down with us to talk about what singers past and present inspire him, his love for the Blue Jays and New England IPA’s, and he even shared one of his best Dad jokes. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 20 Qs for Gregory Dahl
This week’s Artist of the Week is the wonderful Canadian baritone, Gregory Dahl. Currently in Vancouver, he is in rehearsals preparing the titular role for Vancouver Opera’s upcoming production of Donizetti’s Don Pasquale, running Feb 10-18 . During his down time, we chatted with Gregory about how he started singing, his love of weather and weather apps, and how working with young singers is keeping him young. Keep reading to find out more.
Artist of the Week 16 Qs for Peter Monaghan
This week’s Artist of the Week is the multitalented bass baritone Peter Monaghan. Currently in Edmonton, he is in rehearsals for Edmonton Opera’s upcoming production of Don Giovanni, where he will be performing the role of Masetto, running Feb 1-3. This week, Peter shares with us what inspired him to start singing, when he knew he wanted to become an opera singer and the importance of time when it comes to developing as an artist and singer. Read on to find out more!
Artist of the Week 37 Qs for Aline Kutan
This week’s Artist of the Week is celebrated Canadian soprano Simone Osborne! She is currently in Calgary, braving the cold and in rehearsals for The Elixir of Love with Calgary Opera, where she is staring as Adina, running Feb 3!
In the brief moments between rehearsals, Simone was generous to sit down with us to chat about what her current and future dream roles include, who is a source of inspiration for her artistry (this one will warm your heart), and what it means to be brave in music making. Read on to find out the details!