Artist of the Week

_{Artist of the Week} 18 Qs for Neema Bickersteth

by Communications | Jun 5, 2024 | Artist of the Week, Featured, News

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

by Communications | May 29, 2024 | Artist of the Week, Featured, News

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

_{OPERA PLACES} Luka Kawabata takes us to Vancouver, BC

by Cait Wood | May 24, 2024 | Artist of the Week, Featured, News

Nikkei-Canadian baritone, Luka Kawabata takes us to Vancouver, BC where he is performing the HAFU ハーフ Project, a live presentation of the digital series of the same name, presented by City Opera Vancouver, running May 25-26. This week we chatted with Luka about all things Vancouver, the best place to grab a coffee, a bite to eat, and the recommendation to never miss the beautiful sunset along the Seawall.

_{Artist of the Week} 17 Qs for Carolyn Sproule

by Communications | May 22, 2024 | Artist of the Week, Featured, News

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.

_{OPERA PLACES} Brett Polegato takes us to Dublin, Ireland

by Communications | May 16, 2024 | Artist of the Week, Featured, News

Canadian-Italian baritone Brett Polegato takes us to Dublin, Ireland where he is in rehearsals for the Irish National Opera’s upcoming production of Verdi’s La Traviata in the role of Germont père, running May 17 -31. Lucky for us, Brett found a few moments in between rehearsals to sit down with us to talk about his experience in Dublin, including what the opera house is like, where his favourite cafes and restaurants are located, and how he has found the luck of the Irish by talking to the local Dubliners. Read on to find out more.

_{Artist of the Week} 20 Qs for Krisztina Szabó

by Communications | May 14, 2024 | Artist of the Week, Featured, News

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

by Communications | May 8, 2024 | Artist of the Week, Featured, News

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.

_{OPERA PLACES} Marta Herman takes us to Lucerne, Switzerland

by Communications | May 2, 2024 | Artist of the Week, Featured, News

Canadian mezzo soprano Marta Herman takes us to Lucerne, Switzerland where she is performing the role of Anastasio in Luzerner Theater’s production of Vivaldi’s Il Guistino, running May 2 to June 20. During her downtime, Marta shared with us what it has been like to stay in Luzern, including her favourite place to grab a coffee, the best way to explore the natural beauty in the city, and which museums she has been touring. Read on to find out more.

_{Artist of the Week} 17 Qs for Natalya Gennadi

by Communications | May 1, 2024 | Artist of the Week, Featured, News

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

by Communications | Apr 24, 2024 | Artist of the Week, Featured, News

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.