Talking with singers: Alice Coote

Interview

British mezzo-soprano Alice Coote was in Toronto until very recently, singing Dejanira in Peter Sellars' production of Hercules at the Canadian Opera Company. Alice is in demand all over the world, known for trouser roles (Octavian, Sesto, Ruggiero, le Prince Charmant), and utterly versatile across the stylistic board.

Elvira

Interview

Everyone, meet Miriam Khalil. She's a Lebanese-Canadian soprano currently based in Toronto, and she'll be singing in Uncle John, as everyone's favourite clingy chick, Elvira.

Leporello

Interview

Meet Jeremy Bowes. He's a Canadian bass, and he'll be heading west in July to sing in #UncleJohn, as opera's most famous wingman, Leporello_. He spoke about what makes Open Space unique, and why everyone loves the story of Don Juan.

Anna

Interview

Canadian soprano Betty Allison is getting ready to sing the role of Anna in Uncle John at the Banff Centre's Open Space program. She answered a few of my questions about who Anna is, setting no expectations, and taking advantage of her time in Banff.

The Commander

Interview

Baritone John Avey is joining the #UncleJohn crew this summer, to sing the role of Michael Bridge. Who's that, you say? He's the father of Anna Bridge, the lady you met last week (the one with the really patient boyfriend).

Talking singing with Gerald Martin Moore

Interview

Pianist, coach and voice teacher Gerald Martin Moore works with, well, everybody. He's in demand as a coach, teacher and pianist for the likes of Renée Fleming, Joyce DiDonato, and Sarah Connolly, and he interviewed the spectacular Beverly Sills.

Cree Carrico: The Ophelia Project

Interview

Soprano Cree Carrico thinks outside the box. Case in point: The Ophelia Project. With director Christopher Mirto, she has created The Ophelia Project, a one-woman opera/theatre hybrid exploring the fractured psyche of Shakespeare's Ophelia.

#UncleJohn: always unpredictable

Interview

#UncleJohn has a new star! Baritone Cameron McPhail is pretty pumped to put on his Mozart hat and head to the Banff Centre next month. He'll be singing the title role in Against the Grain Theatre's production of #UncleJohn, in the Open Space program at the Banff Centre.

Joel Ivany on #UncleJohn

Interview

Joel Ivany, artistic director of Against the Grain Theatre, has had a pretty wild year. Just this week, he won a Dora Award with Figaro's Wedding for Outstanding New Musical/Opera, and closed a sold-out run of Pelléas et Mélisande.

Topher Mokrzewski on #UncleJohn

Interview

Topher Mokrzewski is a man of many hats. As Music Director of Against the Grain Theatre, he has been the musical mind behind most of AtG Theatre's projects, including the Dora Award-winning Figaro's Wedding. Topher recently wrapped up a season as Calgary Opera's Resident Conductor, and his next stop is the Banff Centre for the Arts, for the inevitable #UncleJohn.