A Sneak Peek at the Barber of Seville

Interview

Rehearsals for the COC's Barber of Seville started a few days ago, and I had the chance to sit in on the concept discussion, led by director (and founder of Els Comediants) Joan Font and associate director Tanya Kane-Parry. They showed off some costume and set designs, discussed the Commedia dell'arte, and spoke about this story's web of fascinating characters.

Does a Good Artistic Director Read Music?

Op-ed

Do musically untrained artistic directors add to the problem of alienation between opera and its audiences? Or are opera companies right to leave arts administration to those who make it their day job, and leave the art to the artists?

Chatting with Canada's Opera Biggies

Editorial

Exciting news, everyone! Late next week, I'll be sitting down to chat with a panel of folks who certainly know their opera. The topic? Regietheater productions, the role of the opera director, and how their innovative (and often wacky) ideas can propel opera forward.

Michelle Telford, Creating Custom Surtitles for Opera Today

Editorial

This is a guest post by Michelle Telford, custom surtitlist with Saskatoon Opera. "Seeing is for suckers, and sleep is for the weak." - Michelle.

Talking Louise with Leslie Ann Bradley

Interview

Canadian soprano Leslie Ann Bradley is currently in Toronto to sing the title role in Charpentier's Louise, for VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert's upcoming performance on March 29th. Leslie Ann had some great things to say about the opera, singing the role of Louise, and what kind of story it tells about women at the turn of the 20th century. Photo: Lisa-Marie Mazzucco.

The Case for Nomadic Opera

Op-ed

I'm always an advocate of up-close theatre, but the need for large-scale, overwhelming productions of Verdi, Wagner, and the likes, is legitimate. But what would happen if Canada's larger opera companies took a portion of their productions out of their main stage?

Less Really Is More

Op-ed

Yesterday I was listening to a journalist speak about her work. A journalist is meant to tell a story, and although it's impossible for any writer to be entirely unbiased, too much emotional involvement doesn't really help to get the job done. She learned quickly, she said, that she's much better at telling these true stories if she steps back from her own personal feelings on the topic.

Ma su Facebook, son già mille e tre!

Humour

We hit a milestone this weekend: Schmopera cleared 1000 likes on Facebook!

Gibson Girls, and the Great Opera They'd Make

Editorial

I think the story, the mythology, even, of the Gibson Girl would make a great opera in itself. The story could speak about women, men, the media, the human urge to follow trends; there's even a story in the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Gibson, whose understanding of social issues seemed ahead of their time.

Orpheus and Eurydice, designed by Frank Gehry

Editorial

Canadian architect Frank Gehry will design a production of Gluck's Orpheus and Eurydice, to be directed by Jürgen Flimm, the Staatsoper's Intendant. At the podium will be Daniel Barenboim, in case the idea wasn’t impressive enough.