In defence of pianists

Op-ed

I'm a pianist who works with opera singers. It's awesome, and I love it, and I can't stop doing it. But in all honesty, I must address some gross habits of disrespect and neglect with which pianists often have to deal. Enough is enough.

The Business of Passion

Op-ed

I kind of dread being asked what I do. That’s an awful thing to say, given what an interesting and unique job I have, but it’s true. At a non-music party [NMP, for your future reference!] or in a cab, the conversation usually starts something like this: “So you’re travelling a lot for work – what’s your job?”

When critics are jerks

Op-ed

Der Rosenkavalier opened at Glyndebourne on May 17th, and the opening night reviews ticked off some opera fans. Ordinarily, one would be happy that a bunch of critics can't stop talking about Irish mezzo Tara Erraught's performance of Octavian.

Masetto

Interview

Vancouver-based baritone Aaron Durand is joining Against the Grain Theatre at the Banff Centre to sing the role of Masetto in Uncle John. He answered my questions about what fun about Banff, and about the mind of Masetto, Mozart's favourite doormat.

Schmopera goes west

Editorial

Exciting news! In July, I'll be heading to work at Open Space, the exciting new program partnering Against the Grain Theatre with The Banff Centre and the Canadian Opera Company. There, we'll explore Uncle John, the brand new adaptation of Mozart's _Don Giovanni _with a libretto by AtG Theatre's Artistic Director, Joel Ivany.

In review: Don Quichotte

Review

Massenet's Don Quichotte has opened at the Canadian Opera Company, the final in the three spring shows of the 2013/14 season. I'm glad I saw it last, since there was something bittersweet about ending a season with comedy and charm. I'll admit I have a strange personal tendency to get annoyed by everyone's favourite bumbling knight; but perhaps I'm coveting Don Quixote's unwavering pursuit of goodness.

Ramírez, you're up.

Editorial

Tomorrow night, Toronto-based tenor Ernesto Ramírez will step into the title role of Donizetti's Roberto Devereux, playing now at the Four Seasons Centre. Italian tenor Giuseppe Filianoti was scheduled to sing the run, but he withdrew from the first few performances, and the Canadian Opera Company brought in American tenor Leonardo Capalbo to step in.

What's on, eh?

Editorial

This spring, opera-going Canadians are in luck: across the country, opera is a-happening. Starting in the West, you can still catch Verdi's Don Carlo at Vancouver Opera, playing until May 11th. The cast includes Canadian faves like Joni Henson and Brett Polegato, and they're doing it in Italian. Nice.

Schmopera on the Avalon

Editorial

Later this month, I'm packing my bags and heading to St. John's, Newfoundland, to work on a couple of shows at Opera on the Avalon. On the menu are Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Tom Diamond and conducted by Vlad Iftinca, and the ubiquitous La bohème, directed by Michael Cavanagh and conducted by Judith Yan.

In review: Cousin from Nowhere

Review

I went to Toronto Operetta Theatre's Cousin From Nowhere, an English translation of Eduard Künneke's Das Vetter aus Dingsda. Whenever I go and hear TOT shows, I always end up hearing some new music that gets stuck in my head, sung by lovely Canadian talent.