Daniel Cabena on air india [redacted]

Interview

Canadian countertenor Daniel Cabena will soon head to Vancouver to collaborate with the British Columbia-based Turning Point Ensemble, and singers Zorana Sadiq and Alexander Dobson on Jürgen Simpson's new opera, air india [redacted]. Presented November 6-11th by TPE and Simon Fraser University Woodward's Cultural Programs, air india [redacted] is an operatic telling of the bombing of Air India flight 182 in June, 1985.

Opera da Camera's Hänsel und Gretel

News

Opera da Camera is all about accessibility. For their upcoming Hänsel, they'll hold two free pre-show talks, aimed at both young and adult audiences. "Before our matinée performance, there will be a pre-opera talk geared especially towards children with a professional story teller, and before the opening night there is a pre-opera talk given by a representative of the Goethe Institute of Montreal."

In review: La traviata at the COC

Review

Last night the Canadian Opera Company opened its new production of La traviata, and I was officially excited. La traviata is done often, but it's another thing to hear it done really well. I got my fix at the Four Seasons Centre with the first of two casts singing the 11 shows between now and November 6th.

Don't miss: Joyce El-Khoury in recital

News

On October 19th at noon, soprano Joyce El-Khoury is giving a recital at Classical 96.3 FM's The New Zoomer Studio in Liberty Village. Send an RSVP by email; the first 50 to respond will get two passes for the recital, followed by a gourmet lunch.

We don't have to starve: dreaming of an artistic middle class

Editorial

The starving artist. A cliché so played out it wouldn’t even deserve mentioning if it didn’t reflect the reality of so many. It’s generally agreed upon that since artists have the luxury of living their dreams, they’re signing up for a life of financial struggle. They knew life would be like this, and they chose it anyway.

Gems: Barbara Hannigan does comedy

Humour

Canadian soprano, conductor, and general Renaissance woman Barbara Hannigan has been on my mind lately, largely because she's in Toronto Oct 7th and 8th to conduct and to sing with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Hannigan's website has tons of video gems available to view, one of which stuck out as a must-share.

Aria guides: the Count's Aria

How-To

We're continuing our new series of Aria Guides with more Mozart, this time for the men: baritones, it's your beloved Count's Aria from Le nozze di Figaro. Like all you aspiring Counts, I too love this aria to bits. It's got a recit that's both textbook and full of life. The aria is wild soliloquy, full of unnatural mood swings from a powerful man who realizes that he can't buy intelligence.

Aria guides: Deh vieni, non tardar

How-To

Readers, we've got a new treat for you! Welcome to our new series of posts that take you through popular arias of all voice types, step by step. We'll point out tips and tricks for making the learning process efficient, and try to answer as many FAQs about the repertoire as we can.

Spotlight on: Sara Schabas

Interview

Canadian soprano Sara Schabas has learned, in her still-young career, how much singing can mean to an audience. She knows that it takes more than technique to move listeners, and she knows that her work is valuable on stages of all sizes and shapes. Sara sings to give back, bringing music to patients in hospitals and care facilities through charities like Songs By Heart and Sharing Notes.

Look at all the new operas!

Editorial

I came across this comprehensive list of operas written after World War II, compiled by French writer and critic Thierry Vagne. There are hundreds of operas listed by John Adams, Krzysztof Penderecki, Steve Reich, Harrison Birtwistle, Benjamin Britten, and way, way more that I'd bet you've never heard of.