James Rolfe & Anna Chatterton, on creating Crush

Interview

Here at The Banff Centre, we're working on Crush, a new opera by composer James Rolfe and librettist Anna Chatterton. It's a fascinating piece, based on Mozart's Don Giovanni, this time featuring a female protagonist named Donna. I was thrilled when Anna and James offered to talks about the process of creating Crush.

Turning opera "inside-out, upside-down" at Summer Opera Camp

Interview

In the last of our conversations with the folks behind the Canadian Opera Company's Summer Opera Camp, I chat with drama specialist Jen Johnson and design specialist Sonja Rainey. Drama teacher Jen is Co-Artistic Director of Kick Start Arts, a not-for-profit aimed at using the arts "to empower students, youth and adults to express themselves through the creative process." Sonja is a Dora-award nominated set and costume designer, working most recently with the Bicycle Opera Project for their East coast tour this summer.

Summer Opera Camp at the COC

Interview

Katherine Semcesen is the Associate Director of Education & Outreach at the Canadian Opera Company. The countdown is on for this year's Summer Opera Camp, which offers training and experience designed for teenagers, grades 7-10. Participants work with voice teachers, drama coaches, set and costume designers, and fight choreographers over an intensive five-day program.

Spotlight on: Charlotte Knight

Interview

Coloratura soprano Charlotte Knight last made me laugh as Cecily Cardew in Earnest, the Importance of Being at Toronto Operetta Theatre this season. Her fierce technique is easy to hear, and like all great comediennes, Charlotte is also a smart and versatile performer. She just finished singing Rona Lisa Peretti in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with No Strings Theatre, and you can hear her this November with the Gallery Players of Niagara, singing Villa-Lobos' stunning Bachianas Brasilieras No. 5 for soprano and eight cellos.

Chris Thornborrow, on composing with kids

Interview

Toronto-based composer Chris Thornborrow is bringing his work and experience with young musicians to the Canadian Opera Company's Summer Opera Camp this July. Chris will help a group of young opera-philes to create their own work, as he's done before with students of the Toronto District School Board.

Spotlight on: Peter Bass

Interview

Peter Bass is one of those smart and serious singers who carries with him a wicked sense of humour to the rehearsal room. I last saw him onstage with Metro Youth Opera as the Father in their production of Hänsel und Gretel, and I've had small opportunities to work with him since. I'm always refreshed by a practical singer, and Peter is one of those. In his wise interview, he talks about Billy Budd, Michael Bublé, and telling stories.

Spotlight on: Michelle Siemens

Interview

Calgary-born mezzo-soprano Michelle Siemens was heard this past season on the Four Seasons Centre stage, as a finalist for the 2014 COC Ensemble Studio competition. Michelle has trained across Canada and in the United States, and I had the chance to work with her on one of her stops, singing Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream at Opera on the Avalon.

Spotlight on: Emily Peragine

Interview

I met Montana-born soprano Emily Peragine during her undergraduate degree at Oberlin College Conservatory, and she struck me immediately as a rare breed. Emily is a real lover of singing, and a refreshingly thoughtful artist. You can see more of what I mean by reading her beautiful blog. For a while now, I've been looking forward to the chance to introduce Emily to my readers, and she doesn't disappoint with this interview.

Spotlight on: Julia Dawson

Interview

Julia Dawson is a Canadian mezzo-soprano currently based in the United States. Julia is a hardworking, creative artist, and she's been keeping busy singing at the Academy of Vocal Arts, the Glimmerglass Festival, and Opera Philadelphia, to name a few. Get to know this smart singer:

Tune into Cardiff 2015

Interview

Mark your calendars! From June 14-21, you can watch the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition online at bbc.co.uk/cardiffsinger. There are four instalments each of the Song Prize and Main Prize categories; Song Prize Recital 1 is June 14 at 2:30pm, GMT (9:30am for Torontonians), and the Main Prize concerts begin June 15 at 7:30pm (2:30pm EST).