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Meta
Monthly Archives: January 2018
Rigoletto reboot
I like the Canadian Opera Company’s Rigoletto, directed by Christopher Alden, starring Roland Wood, Anna Christy and Stephen Costello. Everyone I’ve talked to enthuses about the singing. Ah but I like the production, and I say this, aware (via social … Continue reading
Posted in Opera, Reviews
8 Comments
Planets via Storgårds and TSO
There are many possible ways to interpret great pieces of music. I was struck tonight, listening to the Toronto Symphony led by John Storgårds at Roy Thomson Hall, that sometimes there are more important considerations than the interpretation. I say that … Continue reading
Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews
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Questions for Sara Schabas: Canadian premieres of two Jake Heggie operas
Canadian soprano Sara Schabas is the founder of the Electric Bond Opera Ensemble, a group that aims to present classical and operatic works that tell untold stories, reminding audiences and performers of the “electric bond of being” (Thomas Huxley) by … Continue reading
Posted in Interviews, Opera
1 Comment
Opera by Request—Salome
The concept is exactly as it sounds. If you’re a singer wanting to do a role, Opera by Request is the place for you. William Shookhoff is a busy man, the pianist & music director responsible for making those requests … Continue reading
Posted in Opera, Reviews
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Safe Haven Mackay’s best yet
The headline is meant to convey an enthusiastic response to something I’ll attempt to analyze. I liked it. Alison Mackay has grown from her role playing violone & double bass with Tafelmusik into their programmer extraordinaire, creating a series of … Continue reading
Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews
1 Comment
Extra Questions for John Allemang
I went to a small school where hero-worship was natural, given that we were all boys (that changed as they admitted girls for the first time in the very year I left, and yes I wish it had been sooner). … Continue reading
Posted in Interviews, Opera
3 Comments
Nine in Concert
The musical Nine is a bit of a virtuoso vehicle, putting thirteen women, a man and a boy onstage together. The music & lyrics by Maury Yeston are never easy but quite rewarding, particularly if you have an actual orchestra, … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews, Theatre & musicals
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