News
Critical Response: Holly Harris fears audiences “clotted” by live stream content
In this Q&A series, we’ve asked performing arts writers across the country to weigh in on how the Canadian opera industry is handling the prolonged pandemic environment. Next up…Holly Harris. What are your feelings on the types of programming being offered, mostly...
Against the Grain Theatre to film uber-Canadian Messiah
On Dec. 13th, the multi-award-winning team at Against the Grain Theatre (AtG) will present a bold interpretation of Handel’s Messiah in partnership with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) and Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. The 70-minute filmed performance of...
Barbara Hannigan, Rubies 2020–“Anytime I win an award I put it toward something”
Maven, visionary, trailblazer – what else can one say about Canadian-born, Europe-based soprano/conductor Barbara Hannigan? One might well add ‘committed supporter of young talent’ to the list since the launch of Momentum in August. Born out of the coronavirus...
Cross Canada Reports: Winnipeg opera is managing with resilience
Please note: Information in this Winnipeg report was accurate as of publishing in our Fall 2020 issue released in September 2020. Manitoba has dodged many COVID-19 bullets affecting most of Canada since mid-March, but its number of second-wave cases is now on the rise...
Mireille Lebel gets real about VO’s La voix humaine
On Oct. 24th, Canadian mezzo-soprano Mireille Lebel starred in Vancouver Opera's digital premiere of Francis Poulenc's one-woman-opera, La voix humaine. It is the season opener for one of the only all-digital, paid opera season subscriptions in Canada. Lebel, singing...
Critical Response: Canadian opera should hire “Canadian rather than imported”
In this Q&A series, we’ve asked performing arts writers across the country to weigh in on how the Canadian opera industry is handling the prolonged pandemic environment. Next up…Leslie Barcza. What are your feelings on the types of programming being offered,...
Tale of Two Cities: COC/Paris Opera’s Alexander Neef Exclusive Interview
In an exclusive interview on Nov. 2nd, leader of Canadian Opera Company (COC) and Opéra national de Paris Alexander Neef answered the questions we've been dying to ask since his move to France. Q: How do you perceive the Canadian opera world versus that in France,...
Cross Canada Reports: Pacific Opera Victoria at the ready
Please note: Information in this Victoria report was accurate as of publishing in our Fall 2020 issue released in September 2020. Health measures in Victoria, BC British Columbia’s Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry enjoys near-rock star status in this...
Cross Canada Reports: In Toronto, political movements are shaping opera
The Vast Variety of Toronto The Toronto opera scene is quite large and extremely varied; from Canadian Opera Company through multiple medium sized companies to an ever-changing array of smaller companies. One might expect this to lead to an equally varied set of...
Women in Musical Leadership: changing the imbalance
In response to "one of the worst professional gender imbalances in the country," according to a press release, Canadian operatic innovators Tapestry Opera and Pacific Opera Victoria have partnered to launch the Women in Musical Leadership fellowship. The full-time,...
Critical Response: Performing in smaller venues vs ‘outright cancellation’
In this Q&A series, we’ve asked performing arts writers across the country to weigh in on how the Canadian opera industry is handling the prolonged pandemic environment. Next up…Michael Zarathus-Cook. What are your feelings on the types of programming being...
Pacific Opera Victoria’s “Live at the Baumann” welcomes in-person audiences
After its busy summer of online content and Pop Up Opera performances, Pacific Opera Victoria is set to host in-person audiences with its new concert series, "Live at the Baumann". The concerts will allow for an intimate and socially-distanced audience, seated...