Category Archives: Opera

Akhnaten in Indiana

It’s late at night.  It’s intermission, as I watch Philip Glass’s opera Akhnaten from Jacobs School of Music, at Indiana University, Bloomington, conducted by Arthur Fagen, directed by Candace Evans, and live-streamed on my laptop.  This student production is very … Continue reading

Posted in Opera, Reviews, University life | 7 Comments

Psychological portraits: Tito’s Rome

La Clemenza di Tito is not known the way the major operas of Mozart’s maturity are known and loved.  When I say Don Giovanni or Marriage of Figaro or Magic Flute there are tunes that instantly pop into my head … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, Opera, Politics, Psychology and perception | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Inclemenza

We’re expecting snow here in Toronto, but it’s already somewhat inclement, if we think chilly or unmerciful. I am expanding on the experience of La Clemenza di Tito Sunday in Toronto.  I was enraptured, as were the audience: until the … Continue reading

Posted in Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Clemenza: Apollo’s Turn

After a week of thinking about Tristan und Isolde –at the COC, in the Opera Exchange, at the piano and rattling around inside my head—I was ready for something different.  Tristan is many things.  It’s humongous, it’s conceptual & symbolic, … Continue reading

Posted in Opera, Politics, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Meeting Titurel

I wrote this as a Facebook “note” in August 2009, a kind of diary entry seen only by friends.  It came to mind today in an online conversation, and so I decided to revisit these thoughts. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ I am not … Continue reading

Posted in Food, Health and Nutrition, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Psychology and perception, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

10 Questions for Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg

Canadian dancer and choreographer Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg has performed internationally in classical ballet, modern dance and national/historical dance.  Her training took place at The Royal Academy of Dancing in London, England and in Copenhagen, Denmark. Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg, with Marshall … Continue reading

Posted in Interviews, Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

AtG-7DS = Against the Grain Theatre-Seven Deadly Sins

Against The Grain (“AtG”) Theatre’s production The 7 Deadly Sins (and Holier Fare) resists easy categorization.  As I ponder this question (what is this show?), and try to stifle the impulse to classify, I can’t help noticing that the question … Continue reading

Posted in Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Armide returns to Toronto

Opera Atelier’s production of Lully’s Armide is coming back to Toronto, the first stop in an international tour.  After a week in Toronto, May takes them to Royal Opéra, Versailles, followed by a summertime sojourn at Glimmerglass Festival in New … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, Opera | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

10 Questions for Lindsay Sutherland Boal

Trained as an operatic soprano, Lindsay Sutherland Boal began her career on Canadian and international stages singing the roles of the Countess in La Nozze di Figaro, Papagena in Die Zauberflöte, Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos and Madame Silkberklang in … Continue reading

Posted in Interviews, Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Carlos: By Request

A singing teacher I know tells me that he always gives a speech to his students early on.  It’s about the math, the reality of having a career in opera, when there are so many people studying, so few actual … Continue reading

Posted in Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment