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.
Canadian soprano Andriana Chuchman takes us to Houston, Texas where she is making her role debut as Donna Anna in Houston Grand Opera’s production of Don Giovanni, running April 19 – May 3. Between rehearsals, Andriana shared with us what she has been up to while in Houston, including exploring the culinary delights that Houston has on offer, going to Astro games, and going to the Houston Zoo with her family! Read on to find out more.
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.
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.
Canadian contralto, Rose Naggar-Tremblay takes us to Erfurt, Germany where she is performing the role of Erda in Theater Erfurt’s current production of Wagner’s Das Rheingold, running March 23 to May 9. On her way to Paris, Rose had a few moments with us to share what the Opera House at Theater Erfurt is like, where to find the best coffee in town, and what she has been doing for fun while overseas. Read on to find out more.
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.
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.
Renowned director, choreographer, and set/costume designer duo Renaud Doucet and André Barbe take us to Toulouse, France where they are busy preparing their production of La Cenerentola, a co-production with the Latvian National Opera in Riga and l’Opéra National du Capitole de Toulouse, running March 29 to April 7 (info and tickets here). Luckily for us, this incredibly busy duo spared some precious moments to share what it has been like working in Toulouse, where to find the best Cassoulet in the city, and how they find peaceful moments walking their sweet dog, Ulisse. Read on to find out more.
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.
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.
