Bob McPhee, who died of cancer on Mar. 13th in Calgary at age 65, was a builder of institutions, but in making big things happen in Alberta over his 25-year career as an arts leader, his eye was always on how his work could empower others, and bring benefits to his...
Canadian conductor and Music Director of the Metropolitan Opera, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, has formally spoken out about the Met's treatment of its orchestra and chorus since the start of the pandemic last year. As reported yesterday in the New York Times, the 2020 Opera...
A short while ago, Opera Canada asked our followers: which famous Canadians would make great opera roles? Einstein, Gertrude Stein, Charlie Parker, Anna Nicole - they've all got operas. And sure, we've got James Rolfe's Beatrice Chancy and Harry Somers' Louis Riel,...
Edmonton Opera, like many companies, has tried to stay in touch with its supporters during the pandemic by offering various virtual performances, but it has also drawn a smattering of its audience to its Jubilee Auditorium venue for some live concerts. Well, at least...
This is the continuation of a new series of Q&As with the artists of Canada's opera scene. After our "Quarantine Questions" from the spring/summer of 2020, we're checking in once again with these artists as they share new perspectives on mid-pandemic opera. Next...
Opéra national de Paris's new production of Verdi's Aida, which premiered online on Feb. 18th, marks the Paris debut of the Dutch director Lotte de Beer, recently appointed director of the Vienna Volksoper. She angles the spotlight on the problematic stereotypes which...
Opera Canada Spring 2021 issue is about to be sprung! Exclusive subscriber-only stories include a deep dive into opera companies' use of orchestral reductions during the pandemic, cross-border opera audience share between the U.S. and Canada, a conversation about...
Well, it's officially been too darn long since we heard (live) the gorgeous voices of Canadian opera singers, and we're out to change that. We're asking you, readers, to send us some soundbites: a phone recording of your latest practice session, a clip of the new aria...
When you really think about it, the communication between an opera composer and an opera singer is a bit odd: each artist has spent years honing their very specialized craft, and they come together when it's time to do something extra-specialized – create a new opera....
This is the continuation of a new series of Q&As with the artists of Canada's opera scene. After our "Quarantine Questions" from the spring/summer of 2020, we're checking in once again with these artists as they share new perspectives on mid-pandemic opera. Next...
As it turns out, readers, the month of March is a big one for Giuseppe Verdi. Packed into a six-day span are the anniversaries of the premieres of some of his most extraordinary works. So, it's time to celebrate, alla canadese, with a few glimpses of Canadian opera...
University of Toronto's music program is adding internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato and composer Ana Sokolović to their March 2021 events line-up. Serving on a three-day program as the Stratton Visitor for UofT's Faculty of Music, DiDonato will be...