Artist of the Week

_{Artist of the Week} 17 Qs for Danika Lorèn

by Máiri Demings | Mar 17, 2025 | Artist of the Week, Featured, News

The Artist of the Week is Canadian soprano and composer Danika Lorèn. She will be featured in Soundstreams’ upcoming concert with and without you, curated by winner of the 2024/25 Soundstreams New Voices Curator Mentorship Program Brad Cherwin, on March 22nd. This week, Danika shares a bit about their musical upbringing is Saskatchewan, their top coffee picks in Toronto and what they want to be singing right now. Read on to find out more.

_{Artist of the Week} 19 Qs for Lucas van Lierop

by Máiri Demings | Mar 10, 2025 | Artist of the Week, Featured, News

The Artist of the Week is Canadian tenor Lucas van Lierop. Lucas is singing the role of Pong in Turandot at Theater Basel from March 2nd to June 1st. This week, Lucas chats with us about his musical family, his favourite singers from the past and present and what success looks like to him. Read on to find out more.

_{OPERA PLACES} Tessa Fackelmann takes us to Sarasota

by Máiri Demings | Mar 6, 2025 | Artist of the Week, Featured, News

Canadian mezzo-soprano Tessa Fackelmann takes us to Sarasota, where she is singing the role of Cherubino in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro from March 8th to 28th. While in Sarasota, Tessa chats with us about best rides at Disney, where to get the “sexiest” coffee and how to find alligators and alligator jerky. Read on to find out more.

_{Artist of the Week} 17 Qs for Holly Chaplin

by Máiri Demings | Mar 3, 2025 | Artist of the Week, Featured, News

The Artist of the Week is Canadian soprano Holly Chaplin. She will be singing the title role of Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor with Southern Ontario Lyric Opera on March 8th. This week, Holly shares her musical inspirations, top travel destinations and how to handle awkward audience moments. Read on to find out more.

_{Artist of the Week} 14 Qs for Guillermo Silva-Marin

by Máiri Demings | Feb 24, 2025 | Artist of the Week, Featured, News

The Artist of the Week is Puerto Rican-born stage director Guillermo Silva-Marin. Guillermo is the General Director of Toronto Operetta Theatre and is directing the final production of their 40th anniversary season, Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers from February 28th to March 2nd. This week, Guillermo shares the music of his childhood, the singer he most admires and how being only 5’6” tall proved to be an advantage in his career. Read on to find out more.

_{OPERA PLACES} Sophie Naubert takes us to Lübeck

by Máiri Demings | Feb 20, 2025 | Artist of the Week, Featured, News

Canadian soprano Sophie Naubert takes us to Lübeck, where she is singing the title role in Handel’s musical drama Semele at Theater Lübeck from November 15th, 2024 to April 27th, 2025. While in Lübeck, Sophie chats with us about the local cuisine, best running trails and the scariest night of the year (New Years Eve). Read on to find out more.

_{Artist of the Week} 23 Qs for Sharleen Joynt

by Máiri Demings | Feb 17, 2025 | Artist of the Week, Featured, News

The Artist of the Week is Chinese-Canadian coloratura soprano Sharleen Joynt. She will be performing the role of The Queen of the Night in Mozart’s The Magic Flute at Seattle Opera from February 22nd to March 9th. This week, Sharleen reveals what you can find in her bag at every gig, the best and worst thing about being an opera artist and what success looks like to her. Read on to find out more.

_{Artist of the Week} 18 Qs for Leslie Dala

by Máiri Demings | Feb 10, 2025 | Artist of the Week, Featured, News

The Artist of the Week is Canadian conductor Leslie Dala. He is conducting Jonathan Dove’s Flight at Vancouver Opera from February 8th to 16th. This week, Leslie chats about his musical childhood, what it means to be brave in music and what success looks like. Read on to find out more.

_{OPERA PLACES} Edmonton Opera’s Emerging Artists take us to Whitehorse

by Máiri Demings | Feb 6, 2025 | Artist of the Week, Featured, News

The Emerging Artists of Edmonton Opera take us to Whitehorse. Edmonton Opera has partnered with the Yukon Arts Centre to deliver school tours and community outreach to the Yukon led by mezzo-soprano Rachael McAuley, baritone Connor Hoppenbrouwers and conductor and pianist Spencer Kryzanowski. As Rachael, Connor and Spencer gear up for their final trip North (this time to Dawson City), they share the best cafés, beautiful views and give us a peak of the most enthusiastic opera chorus Whitehouse has to offer. Read on to find out more.

_{Artist of the Week} 20 Qs for John Tessier

by Máiri Demings | Feb 3, 2025 | Artist of the Week, Featured, News

The Artist of the Week is Canadian Tenor John Tessier. He will be playing Ernesto in Calgary Opera’s production of Don Pasquale on February 1st, 5th and 7th. This week, John shares his first operatic experience at age 12, a risky performance involving rubber boots and the role that continues to have the greatest impact on him. Read on to find out more.