In review: the COC's A Masked Ball

Review

On Wednesday, I braved the ridiculous snow for a much-needed Verdi fix at the Four Seasons Centre. The Canadian Opera Company's current production of A Masked Ball had piqued my interest, both for the exciting cast and for the production, of which I'd only seen a few curious photos.

Opera: don't judge it by its people

Op-ed

There is this stereotype of "theatre folk." They come to rehearsal enveloped in pashmina, they identify themselves with their choice of uniquely quirky glasses-frames, and they wear the kind of clothing that begs the honest question, "Did you make that tunic yourself?"

Go to this: Tapestry Songbook

Editorial

In the evening of February 1st, I'll be working on the west end. I wish I could be in the Distillery District, however, to catch Tapestry Opera's presentation of their Tapestry Songbook Concert. Featuring Canadian mezzo Krisztina Szabó and pianist Dr. Chris Foley, the concert will be a showcase of operatic scenes and arias from Tapestry's impressive collection of new Canadian works.

Masks to Try On

Editorial

I'm getting myself in the mood for the COC's fast-approaching production of Verdi's Un ballo in maschera. So I'm Masked-Ball-hopping, watching about three different versions at once at the moment. In the foreground is the classic Moshinsky production from the Met in 1980, with Pavarotti, Ricciarelli, Berini, and Canada's beloved Louis Quilico as Renato.

RIP: Claudio Abbado

Editorial

Italian conductor Claudio Abbado has died at age 80, after a long battle with stomach cancer. Born in Milan, Abbado made his debut at La Scala in 1960, and served as its music director from 1968-1986.

Saturday Afternoon with Ariadne

Editorial

It's Saturday, and I want to be entertained. And as if the triumvirate gods of Opera, Internet and Day-Of-Week united forces for bored opera-lovers everywhere, the Metropolitan Opera put up its 1988 production of Ariadne auf Naxos.

Newbies: Welcome to the COC Ensemble Studio!

Editorial

Yesterday in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, the Canadian Opera Company's Ensemble Studio kicked off the new season of the Free Concert Series. This year there are three new singers and one new pianist in the Ensemble. I'll admit the concert wasn't my first encounter with the COC young artists; I've had the opportunity to see them at work in recent weeks, but I was no less excited to hear them all sing their "introductory" arias.

"I'm chuffed!"

Editorial

Did you hear? Against the Grain Theatre is partnering with the Banff Centre for the Arts and the Canadian Opera Company to premiere a new opera training program! Led by AtG's artistic director Joel Ivany and music director Christopher Mokrzewski, eight singers will have the chance to workshop operatic skills in an innovative way.

#COC1415

Editorial

“I’m particularly proud that the 14/15 season is comprised entirely of productions owned or co-owned by the COC. Our three new productions have been created with the world’s best opera companies and the three revivals are essential pieces in the company’s history."

The Case for Music Education

Op-ed

So, in 1993 there was a study published in Nature by Francis Rauscher to try and measure the effect of classical music on spatial skills in children. The study found that 10 minutes of Mozart improved the spatial reasoning skills of college students and rats, and 10 minutes of piano or singing lessons did the same for preschoolers.