Don't miss: the drama & devotion of Agostino Steffani

Editorial

"He spins a beautiful melody," says mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabó, who joins the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir on this programme of Steffani's music. The composer's style, "for me, it falls between Cavalli and Handel."

Bel Canto: creating a diva

Editorial

The term diva has been somewhat hijacked in 21st-century North America; "Mostly now, it means bad behaviour," Fleming admits. Still, the character of Roxane has qualities that are charmingly familiar to those in the opera industry. Her ease in high-profile social situations, her ability to articulate what she does and does not want, her general fearlessness - these are the qualities of people like Sondra Radvanovsky, Anna Netrebko, and of course, Fleming.

A daring & desirous double-bill at Opera Atelier

Editorial

Such longevity puts it among the upper echelon of Canadian opera companies in Canada - a feat more impressive when we consider that Atelier performs exclusively 17th- and 18th-century baroque opera. It's almost impossible to resist saying it: "If it ain't baroque, don't fix it."

Check it out: The Linden Project

Editorial

Art song - a broad classical music term to describe a piece written for solo singer and accompaniment, usually by a piano - can feel equal parts vague and exclusive. A song by Schubert and a song by Bernstein are both considered art songs, despite enormous differences in style; conversely, art song carries with it some special qualities, like the conversational relationship between the voice and piano.

CMIM Finals: one out of three ain't bad?

Editorial

Even for me, I was quite errant in my guesses for the winners of this year's Concours musical international de Montréal.

Onto the finals: why can't they all just win?

Editorial

I suppose that's what happened as the CMIM Aria finalists were announced. I made a few private predictions of my own, and I was largely on the same page as the jury. But I was dismayed to see two singers left out of the final round, perhaps for swinging too far one way or the other.

Anticipation: CMIM Aria Semifinals, part I

Editorial

With the anticipation of a good cliffhanger, I'll head back to Maison symphonique tomorrow night for the remaining six semifinalists. Make sure you watch live via CMIM's webcast, starting at 7:30pm ET. And if you missed Monday's Semifinal I, catch up below:

Ensemble Studio shines in a lackluster Evening

Editorial

Whatever its form, this annual event is meant to show off what these artists do best. It's clear that the Ensemble Studio features seven excellent young voices and two industrious pianists. With that said, An Evening With the Ensemble Studio seemed to show that what these young artists do best is prosper under the oddest of onstage circumstances.

Don't miss: The Love Potion

Editorial

"As social beings, we depend on love and being loved," says Mitisek, explaining our fascination with love stories - even those that end in death. An opera like The Love Potion tells us about the possibilities and the limits of love, and we can experience its extremes through catharsis.

Fallis wraps 27 years with the Toronto Consort

Editorial

Readers, we're giving away two pairs of tickets to the matinee performance on May 27 (3:30pm). To be eligible for the draw, share or retweet this post (give us a tag @Schmopera, too!) and tell us why you're keen to see David Fallis' final collaboration with one of Toronto's cornerstones of Early Music.