Is Canada’s own ‘Merry’ Widow really Canadian at all? Marketed as Canada’s own ‘Merry’ Widow, referencing Franz Lehar’s famous German operetta The Merry Widow, Toronto Operetta Theatre’s single performance of Calixa Lavallée’s The Widow (presented in hounour of...
Missing, a co-commission by City Opera Vancouver and Pacific Opera Victoria, opened at Vancouver’s York Theatre on Nov. 3 and moves to Victoria for an already sold-out run on the 17th. A courageous commission, yes, but also canny: COV and POV must have put out feelers...
On Nov. 1, 2017, the Canadian Opera Company presented its annual Centre Stage Gala featuring the Ensemble Studio Competition. The order and wording of this title is not without significance. The evening is as much about the glittering, fundraising dinner that takes...
On Mon. Oct. 31, Opera Canada Publications held its 17th annual Opera Canada Awards, a.k.a. the 'Rubies'. Each year, this event honours three outstanding contributors to opera in Canada, or those who further the cause of Canadians working in opera abroad. The 2017...
Canada has produced few large-scale, ‘grand’ operas, and Edmonton Opera, just recently emerging from almost fatal financial difficulties, has previously staged just one main stage 21st century opera, John Estacio’s Filumena. Les Feluettes (Lilies), which centres on a...
By: George Hall for the Guardian (UK) Coliseum, London In its original 1724 form, Handel’s opera dealt with complex political and amorous machinations among a seventh-century ruling Lombard elite. Richard Jones’s 2014 production moves the action to fascist Italy,...
Calgary Opera has announced the appointment of a new Resident Conductor and Repetiteur, Kimberley-Ann Bartczak*. A native of Montreal, Quebec, Kimberley-Ann Bartczak is a conductor, pianist and vocal coach. She is on staff at Opera on the Avalon, an alumni of...
To open its 17/18 farewell season on October 21, Toronto Masque Theatre presented a double bill of Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas and Aeneas and Dido, a new work with music by James Rolfe and libretto by André Alexis. Specializing in the artistic fusion of music,...
Ten young professional singers have been selected to perform in Singing Stars: The Next Generation, Nov. 6 at Zoomer Hall, Toronto, presented by the International Resource Centre for Performing Artists, a service organisation for Canada’s musicians. The 10 singers are...
By Barry Millington for the Guardian (UK) As literature director of the Arts Council of Great Britain during one of its most turbulent periods, Charles Osborne, who has died aged 89, will be remembered by many for his coruscatingly witty memoranda and public responses...
NCOS is delighted to announce that the first prize of $5,000 was awarded to soprano Jennifer Olenic. Second prize ($3,000) went to bass-baritone Joel Allison and third prize ($1,000) to soprano Jeanine Williams. The three remaining finalists, soprano Carolyn Beaudoin, baritone Ryan Hofman and mezzo-soprano Danielle Vaillancourt were each awarded $500.
Canadian Opera Company General Director Alexander Neef has signed a new contract with the COC that extends his tenure as General Director through the 2025/2026 season. The extension of Neef’s contract was announced today at the COC’s Annual General Meeting by COC...