News
Opera Mariposa hosts discussion for Deaf and disabled perspectives in opera
On Dec. 1st, Opera Mariposa is creating a platform for Deaf and disabled perspectives in opera via an online panel discussion on accessibility, inclusion and pursuing live music safely during COVID-19. With Making Opera Accessible: during the pandemic and beyond, the...
Opinion: Casting cis singers to play trans characters in opera is artistically sub-par
On paper, As One seems perfect. At a time when high-profile trans stories with trans people in the creative team are still few and far between, As One—an opera with music by Laura Kaminsky and words by Mark Campbell and Kimberly Reed—not only has a trans...
COC names Perryn Leech as its next General Director
After a year-long, international search, the Canadian Opera Company (COC) has named Perryn Leech its next General Director in a press release on Nov. 30th. Leech is currently Managing Director of Houston Grand Opera (HGO) and officially begins at the COC as of March...
Call For Pitches from LGBTQ2S+ writers
CALL FOR PITCHES: From what Opera Canada magazine can tell, important voices were silenced last weekend regarding casting choices of trans characters in the opera As One. We want to publish opinions from LGBTQ2S+ writers who have more authority on this issue than our...
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Rubies 2020–“We need to listen as much as to guide”
2020 Rubies Honouree: Yannick Nézet-Séguin Let’s begin with a bit of perspective. Back in 2003, when I first interviewed 2020 Rubies honouree Yannick Nézet-Séguin for an article in Opera Canada’s ‘Debut’ column, it was clear that at 27, he was already earmarked for a...
For Transgender Awareness Week, OCM streams As One
To honour International Transgender Awareness Week on Nov. 20th, Orchestre classique de Montréal (OCM) presents a Quebecois premiere of As One starring baritone Phillip Addis (Hannah before) and mezzo-soprano Sarah Bissonnette (Hannah after). As One is an...
Mécénat Musica names Karina Gauvin its first Artist in Residence
Karina Gauvin, three-time GRAMMY Award-nominated Canadian soprano, has been named the inaugural collaborative Artist in Residence for Mécénat Musica. Gauvin, whose 50+ recordings and acclaimed interpretation of Baroque opera have earned her international renown, has...
Voice students of colour use social media to combat opera’s inequities
Turning To Social Media: Everything is Political The Internet has unleashed a whirlwind of accessibility that is forcing many to ‘get with the times’ or swiftly get left behind, and no one understands that more than young people. Young marginalized opera singers and...
Cross Canada Report: Nova Scotia’s opera companies adjust
Please note: Information in this Nova Scotia report was accurate as of publishing in our Fall 2020 issue released in September 2020. The small province of Nova Scotia has long had at least three established, active companies to satisfy its opera cravings at any given...
Edward Johnson, Rubies 2020–The Tenor of His Time
The story of Canadian tenor Edward Johnson is a quiet one, unknown to many, and yet it is the narrative of one of the world’s most famous and celebrated artists. Beginning in 1912 and continuing for almost a quarter of a century, Johnson was an international superstar...
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...