Encore?

Op-ed

I was in rehearsal for an upcoming concert, and the only thing left to look at was the encore. I always feel like a lame impostor, rehearsing an encore.

When Disney made a cartoon about an opera-singing whale

So, in 1946 Walt Disney produced an anthology of animated short films, called Make Mine Music. There are ten film segments, almost all of them set to music; there's an animation of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf, and the artists involved include Benny Goodman and the Andrews Sisters.

The Opera Posse Phenomenon

Op-ed

Opera singers are masters of multi-tasking: they juggle an important list of technical elements in order to sing a performance, and they have to do it in foreign languages, while following a conductor and negotiating weird costumes/lighting/staging. Singers' to-do lists don't get simpler as they gain experience.

Star Trek and the opera

Humour

So, I have a loving husband who happens to be a Star Trek fan. There's not a whole lot of direct overlap between a sci-fi lover and an opera lover, but one point of contact is in Robert Picardo, (aka The Doctor), and his singing skills on Star Trek: Voyager.

A Tale of Two Cio-Cio Sans

Op-ed

I worked on the COC's production of Madama Butterfly (the final show is tonight), and it was a chance for me to see a perfect example of artistic individuality. The twelve-show run at the Four Seasons Centre was shared by two almost entirely different leading casts, save for Elizabeth DeShong as Suzuki.

Ben Heppner To Host the COC Ensemble Studio Competition Gala

Editorial

On November 25th, the Canadian Opera Company will present the second annual Centre Stage: Ensemble Studio Competition Gala. The best of Canada's young opera scene will sing for the chance to win some prize money ($1500-$5000), and they'll also be vying for a spot in the COC Ensemble Studio.

In recital: Lucia Cesaroni and Adrian Kramer

Editorial

Coming up in Toronto next month: two Canadian singers team up in recital. Tenor Adrian Kramer, soprano Lucia Cesaroni and pianist Maika'i Nash present Extensions of Us: Melody and Movement.

He Said/She Said: Alcina at Opera Atelier

Review

Greg and I headed to the Elgin Theatre to see opening night of Opera Atelier's Alcina, and we teamed up on another joint review. Bonus: Greg can speak intelligently about Atelier Ballet, something I won't pretend to know well.

Talking with singers: Elizabeth DeShong

Interview

American mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong is currently in Toronto, singing a whopping twelve performances of Suzuki in the COC's Madama Butterfly. I asked her about singing, about listening onstage, and roles she'd love to sing.

Schmoperanation!

Humour

So, I went to this year's Operanation and I had a blast. There were bright beehive wigs, Calvin Klein underwear models, the fab Keith Cole and his walking flash mob, and of course some awesome music by Yelle, DJ Phil & DJ Cozmic Cat, joined by the guests of honour, the COC Ensemble Studio. I wandered around with my camera clicking, and got a few great shots to share. Enjoy!