Monthly Archives: January 2013

Seven Liebestod questions for Christopher Mokrzewski

On Saturday February 2nd as part of the Opera Exchange colloquium on Richard Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, with a nod to the composer’s bicentennial, pianist Christopher Mokrzewski will be playing Franz Liszt’s transcription of the liebestod for piano solo. Mokrzewski … Continue reading

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Sellars interviewed

I watched a wonderful interview tonight at the Toronto Public Library, presented in co-operation between the Canadian Opera Company and the Toronto Star. Richard Ouzounian of The Star interrogated opera director Peter Sellars, in anticipation of tomorrow’s opening night of … Continue reading

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Sellars market

At the intermissions of Tristan und Isolde Friday (dress rehearsal) there was madness in the air, a place rife with miscommunication.  Wagner himself said that good performances would make people mad (or crazy), so perhaps that was the problem.  A … Continue reading

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10 Questions for Wallis Giunta

Have you seen this smile? That’s Wallis Giunta, who may have caught your eye in the in-flight magazine you’d casually leaf through if you were flying Porter airlines between New York and Toronto: as Giunta herself likely does.  A graduate … Continue reading

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Heppner, Sellars & Viola: Tristan in Toronto

It’s really good. That’s all you need to know.  The Canadian Opera Company’s imported production of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde (originally presented in Paris in 2005), directed by Peter Sellars with video by Bill Viola is quite simply unforgettable.   And … Continue reading

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YPT Mourns the Loss of Founder, Susan Douglas Rubes

 “Press releases and announcements” are presented verbatim without comment. YPT Mourns the Loss of Founder, Susan Douglas Rubes It is with great sadness – but also gratitude for her life – that Young People’s Theatre acknowledges the passing of the … Continue reading

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Ten Questions for Christopher Enns

Born in Manitoba, tenor Christopher Enns is in his final season with the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio. He made his COC debut as an American/Glass Maker/Strolling Player in Death in Venice.   Enns was one of the strengths of the … Continue reading

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COC 2013/2014 Season announcement

 “Press releases and announcements” are presented verbatim without comment. For immediate release: January 23, 2013  COC’S 2013/2014 SEASON FEATURES THREE COMPANY PREMIERES, THREE NEW PRODUCTIONS AND MORE OPERA STARS THAN EVER BEFORE    Toronto – The Canadian Opera Company unveiled … Continue reading

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Night before…

The child who goes to bed on Christmas Eve awaiting a visit from Santa Claus may have given clues.  Sometimes Santa gets a letter.  Sometimes he gets a visit in the department store. I’m just like that kid, awaiting the … Continue reading

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Silver Linings Playbook

The National Hockey League resumed play this weekend after a lengthy lockout.  I’m situated in Toronto, a city where fans cheer loudly while having lost all hope.  The Maple Leafs are widely understood to be the most successful and lucrative … Continue reading

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