News

_{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.

_{Artist of the Week} 20 Qs for Rachel Fenlon

by Máiri Demings | Jan 27, 2025 | Artist of the Week, Featured, News

The Artist of the Week is Canadian soprano Rachel Fenlon. She is currently on tour performing Schubert’s Winterreise as both singer and pianist. Her upcoming Canadian stops include Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Whitehorse, Yukon, Dawson City, Yukon and Toronto, Ontario. Recently, she released her debut album Winterreise, making her the first artist to interpret the work as singer and pianist on recording.
This week, Rachel shares her favourite composers, what she has learned about finding happiness and the role she wants to sing next. Read on to find out more.

_{OPERA PLACES} Anne-Marie MacIntosh takes us to Lüneburg

by Máiri Demings | Jan 23, 2025 | Artist of the Week, Featured, News

Canadian soprano Anne-Marie MacIntosh takes us to Lüneburg, where she is singing Violetta in Verdi’s La Traviata at Theater Lüneburg from November 9th to March 9th. While in Lüneburg, Anne-Marie shares her favourite place to grab a coffee between rehearsals and the best concert venues in the city. Read on to find out more.

_{Artist of the Week} 20 Qs for Keri-Lynn Wilson

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

The Artist of the Week is Canadian-Ukrainian conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson. She will be conducting Puccini’s Madama Butterfly at the Canadian Opera Company from January 24th to February 16th. This week, Keri-Lynn shares he favourite Ukrainian meal, the opera that made the biggest impact on her and how she knew she was destined to be a musician. Read on to find out more.

_{Artist of the Week} 15 Qs for Barbara Hannigan

by Máiri Demings | Jan 13, 2025 | Artist of the Week, Featured, News

The Artist of the Week is soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan. Her upcoming engagements include performances with Philharmonie de Paris and Philharmonie Luxembourg (both conducted by Sir Simon Rattle) and the continuation of her tour with pianist Bertrand Chamayou in Paris. This week, Barbara shares the albums she’s been listening to, her love of animals and the biggest turning point in her career. Read on to find out more.