Tag Archives: Alexander Neef

Operatic thought for Canada Day

Is it true that Alexander Neef, General Director of the Canadian Opera Company is headed back to Paris? Today I read Michael Vincent’s news report  via Ludwig-van.com that was a natural segue from the conversation I had with my companion … Continue reading

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BOUND v. 2: power struggles

Against the Grain Theatre premiered version two of BOUND at The Great Hall on Queen St W or as Joel Ivany called it “an ongoing process”.  I didn’t see version 1, and perhaps this summer or next year there will … Continue reading

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Centre Stage 2018: a Night of Voices

There are several ways to watch the annual Centre Stage competition, when young singers vie for a series of awards while seeking places in the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio. You can watch & listen to the competitors, eight young … Continue reading

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Questions for Johannes Debus: busy baton

The Canadian Opera Company’s winter season begins soon, featuring two long operas led by the same maestro, namely Johannes Debus. Siegfried, the penultimate of the Wagner operas in the Ring Cycle premieres January 23rd, while Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro follows … Continue reading

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Mezzo madness at the COC Ensemble Studio Competition

Centre Stage 2015, the Canadian Opera Company’s ensemble competition gala, was a celebration of Canada & Canadian talent. Co-hosted by two former winners, we were treated to both official languages, thanks to Karine Boucher’s exquisite French pronunciation as a charming … Continue reading

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Tcherniakov’s Don Giovanni

Dimitri Tcherniakov has been seen a fair bit on TFO lately.  After recent productions of Il trovatore and Ruslan und Ludmilla, tonight’s broadcast had special importance, a co-production with several companies including the Canadian Opera Company.  COC General Director Alexander … Continue reading

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10 Questions for Ileana Montalbetti

Canadian soprano Ileana Montalbetti has been one of the standouts in the new Canadian Opera Company production of Peter Grimes.  The Toronto Star’s review, for instance says “when we start to consider Ileana Montalbetti’s saintly Ellen Orford, we are in … Continue reading

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The end of the beginning

I thought about what to call this, the first free concert of the season from the Canadian Opera Company at the Richard Bradshaw Auditorium: Alpha & Omega? (no… too Biblical) Ave Atque Vale? (no…obscure) Alumni Reunion? (hm….partly) The first program … Continue reading

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Six years since Richard Bradshaw

It was August 15, 2007.  I recall hearing the news that Richard Bradshaw had died. The Canadian Opera Company now have a resident conductor & a general director. Johannes Debus conducts the COC Orchestra & Alexander Neef is the canny … 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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