News
Nicolas Ellis wins 2021-2022 Mécénat Musica Prix Goyer
Mécénat Musica announced Canadian conductor Nicolas Ellis as their 2021-2022 recipient of the $125,000 Mécénat Musica Prix Goyer. Known as the biggest prize in Canada for collaborative emerging artists in classical music, Ellis is allocating $50,000 of his award to...
Dear composer…dear singer: Alexandra Smither & Monica Pearce
In the latest instalment of our advice series, "Dear composer...dear singer", we pair the wise words of Canadian soprano Alexandra Smither, with some enlightenment from Canadian composer Monica Pearce: What do you wish composers better understood about the voice?...
“Threepenny Submarine”: a new webseries out of Opera 5
Canadian indie opera company Opera 5 has partnered with Gazelle Automations on a new operatic webseries for young audiences, titled Threepenny Submarine. The first episode kicks off on April 7, 12pm ET on Opera 5's Facebook and YouTube. Threepenny Submarine tells the...
Spring Break Special: COC lets young people explore opera careers
The Canadian Opera Company (COC) is opening their virtual doors to a five-day event called Spring Break at the COC: Exploring New Opera. Designed for audiences between the ages of 12 and 18, the interactive digital video series gives attendees a behind-the-scenes look...
Operatic Easter eggs: 5 new Canadian streams to catch this weekend
Canadian opera fans, we're looking at a lovely long weekend ahead! It's a good time to take stock of the latest offerings in online streaming - like these three little Canadian operatic Easter eggs: Dialogues des Carmélites, Opera Laurier Starting March 31, 7:30pm ET,...
Caitlin Wood: “Sing, even on the hard days.”
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...
Dear singer (and dear composer): advice from James Rolfe
In our latest instalment of our advice series, "Dear composer...dear singer", we're focusing on the words of Canadian composer James Rolfe. What kind of singer does a composer love to work with? How can singers offer feedback? Should composers sing? Rolfe has the...
Aria Umezawa: “I think I checked most of the pandemic activity boxes.”
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...
Calgary Opera launches ‘making-of’ new opera film series
Calgary Opera has announced the latest step in its long history of championing new opera: a new documentary film series that follows the groundbreaking work coming out of its Opera Labs series. The documentaries, produced by local filmmakers Pluto Pictures, offer a...
Dear composer… advice from Jacqueline Woodley
Our advice series continues! In this instalment of "Dear composer", Canadian soprano and friend of new music, Jacqueline Woodley, gets into the nitty-gritty of workshops, storytelling, and that pesky passaggio: "I very much enjoy the connection between singer and...
In Memoriam: Bob McPhee 1956-2021
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...
Yannick Nézet-Séguin criticizes Met’s treatment of musicians
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...