Opera Canada‘s Summer 2020 issue is now available! The issue is dedicated in large part to conversations with Canadian opera artists and company administrators, and how they are dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. A special “Letters from home” section focuses on Canada’s new generation of opera artists, like these thoughts from Canadian bass-baritone, Joel Allison. The best way to support ongoing, professional journalism dedicated to Canada’s opera scene is by subscribing to Opera Canada. Don’t forget, for readers under 30, we’re offering 50% off our regular subscription rate–$15 for 4 regular quarterly issues. As an added FREE bonus, our special 60th anniversary issue will be added to all new and regular subscriptions. We’re busily working on this collector’s edition, due out this October.
Joel Allison, bass-baritone
I am feeling very rested for the first time in many years! Like many voice students, throughout my bachelor and master’s degrees at University of Ottawa and University of Toronto I was doing every choral gig I possibly could, picking up any singing work that I could manage during my studies. Then came the COC Ensemble Studio program, which has a very full schedule!
I have lost some really fun concert work with Symphony Nova Scotia and Toronto Bach Festival due to the virus. The loss of income will set me back paying off some of the debt that came with launching a singing career. However, I am very lucky to be in the COC Ensemble Studio through this time as we are continuing our training via virtual means! It is a bit different than when we are all in the same rooms together; for me the big challenge is to have weekly voice lessons with no pianist playing for me as I sing through the rep. So, I have shifted my focus towards my technical work with Wendy Nielsen.
If things start to go back to normal somewhat in Germany, then I will be moving there this summer to start a fest contract at Deutsche Oper Berlin. I am scheduled to perform in 14 productions there next season, so that is a lot of text for me to work on. Additionally, I have been working through some of my smaller roles, primarily with the COC’s lyric diction coach extraordinaire, Steven Leigh, via Zoom. I’ve also continued my work with Performance Kinetics Consultant Jennifer Swan. I find her work incredibly valuable as it provides me with such confidence in the physical support for my singing. We are working on different routines for me to be able to do on my own on the road for different situations.
Joel Allison’s wife, Eveline Mate, with their pet bunny, Don Giobunny
The shutdown is also giving my wife and I a lot more quality time together, which had not been possible for the past while with my heavy workload at the COC as well as my concert/audition schedule. We also are now able to relax together with our two pet bunnies: Don Giobunny and Loporello.
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Angela Bell is Opera Canada’s Digital Media Specialist. She has held digital and PR roles with various businesses including the Walt Disney Company, Sullivan Entertainment and Toronto International Film Festival.
