News
Artist of the Week 15 Qs for Catherine St-Arnaud
The Artist of the Week is Canadian soprano Catherine St-Arnaud. She will be making her Canadian Opera Company main stage debut singing the role of Amore in Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice from October 9th to 25th. This week, Catherine chats with us about a full circle career moment, the books she’s reading and her childhood dream of being a super spy. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 20 Qs for Kirsten LeBlanc
The Artist of the Week is Canadian soprano Kirsten LeBlanc. She will be singing the role of Donna Anna in Mozart’s Don Giovanni with Opéra de Montréal from September 27th to October 5th. This week, Kirsten shares her favourite cocktail, bucket list roles and how she calms her mind during a busy season. Read on to find out more.
OPERA PLACES Adanya Dunn takes us to Warsaw, Poland
Bulgarian-Canadian mezzo-soprano Adanya Dunn takes us to Warsaw, Poland, while she is singing the role of Sesto in Mozart’s La clemenza di Tito on September 27th and 28th. While in Warsaw, Adanya shares where to find the best vegan meals, the history of the opera house and the little things that make temporary accommodations feel like home. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 20 Qs for Alex Halliday
The Artist of the Week is Canadian bass-baritone Alex Halliday. He will be singing the role of the Duke, while covering Frère Laurent in the Canadian Opera Company’s production of Roméo et Juliette from September 27th to October 18th. This week, Alex chats with us about the singers he admires, the role he wants to sing next and how his high school teachers helped him to get where he is today. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 17 Qs for Renee Fajardo
The Artist of the Week is Filipino-Canadian mezzo-soprano Renee Fajardo. She is the executive producer and mezzo soloist of Liham: a digital song cycle. Liham is a multimedia work that centres the complexity and resilience of the Filipino spirit and available to watch online. This week, Renee chats with us about her favourite places, portfolio career and a creative guilty pleasure. Read on to find out more.
OPERA PLACES Georgia Burashko takes us to São Paulo, Brazil
Canadian mezzo-soprano Georgia Burashko takes us to São Paulo, Brazil, while she is touring Purcell’s The Fairy Queen with Les Arts Florissants. The tour run from September 14th to 24th and will be making stops in Brazil, Uruguay and Columbia. While in Brazil, Georgia chats with us about how she turns temporary accommodation into an oasis, where to find the most inspiring art and best…Japanese food..? Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 17 Qs for Michelle Lafferty
The Artist of the Week is Canadian Indigeous mezzo-soprano Michelle Lafferty. She will be singing the roles of The Abbess and Mistress of the Novices in Calgary Concert Opera’s double-bill of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and Puccini’s Suor Angelica on September 12th and 14th. This week, Michelle shares her favourite composers, best advice and favourite backstage snack. Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 16 Qs for Taryn Plater
The Artist of the Week is Canadian mezzo-soprano Taryn Plater. She will be singing the title role in La Tragédie de Carmen with Nebula Performances from August 28th to September 7th. This week, Taryn chats with us about fulfilling her childhood dream, recent multidisciplinary projects and how her career as an urban planner influences her art. Read on to find out more.
Joel Ivany concludes tenure at Banff
With the conclusion of the summer program on the weekend of July 26th/27th, Joel Ivany marked the end of an era, concluding his 12-year tenure as artistic director of opera at the Banff Centre.
Canadian Soprano Lauren Margison Wins International Competition
Canadian soprano Lauren Margison received both First Place and the Audience Prize at the recent Elizabeth Connell Prize: International Singing Competition, held in London in early June.
OPERA PLACES Simona Genga takes us to Santa Fe
Italian-Canadian mezzo-soprano Simona Genga takes us to Santa Fe, where they are one of the 2025 Apprentice Singers at Santa Fe Opera. This summer, Simona will appear in a number of operatic and concert performances including her Santa Fe debut as Giovanna in Rigoletto, performing as La Frugola in Il tabarro as part of the Apprentice Scenes Concert and covering Rossweise in Die Walküre. While in Santa Fe, Simona shares her restaurant recommendations, favourite cafe and how the locals purge their negativity with the help of “Old Man Gloom.” Read on to find out more.
Artist of the Week 16 Qs for Odéi Bilodeau
The Artist of the Week is Canadian soprano Odéi Bilodeau. She will be singing the role of Frasquita in Bizet’s Carmen at Festival d’opéra de Québec. This week, Odéi shares how her first desk job led to her singing career, memories of a fiery performance and the best advice she’s been given. Read on to find out more.