Tag Archives: Canadian Opera Company

Cosi women

Posted on January 19, 2014 by barczablog

When you walk into the Four Seasons Centre for the new Canadian Opera Company production of Cosi fan tutte the first thing you see is a huge reproduction of Frida Kahlo’s painting Two Fridas. I imagined what Frida might have … Continue reading →

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10 questions for Stephen Lord

Posted on December 31, 2013 by barczablog

Identified by Opera News as one of the “25 Most Powerful Names in US Opera”, Stephen Lord is a conductor known for his sensitive handling of singers.  In my review of April’s Canadian Opera Company production of Lucia di Lammermoor … Continue reading →

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10 Questions for Ileana Montalbetti

Posted on October 14, 2013 by barczablog

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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Bohemian courtship: being Rodolfo, winning Mimi

Posted on September 28, 2013 by barczablog

Who is Rodolfo? He is a young poet in love.  And he is the hero of Puccini’s La Bohème, opening in a new Canadian Opera Company production on October 3rd at the Four Seasons Centre. In this production, three different … Continue reading →

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The end of the beginning

Posted on September 26, 2013 by barczablog

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

Posted on August 16, 2013 by barczablog

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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Lucia meets Carrie

Posted on April 18, 2013 by barczablog

Tonight the Canadian Opera Company opened their new production of Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, the dark tale of a bride forced to marry against her will who goes mad on her wedding night, killing her new husband.  This is not … Continue reading →

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10 Questions for Stephen Costello

Posted on April 10, 2013 by barczablog

The fast-rising young tenor Stephen Costello has firmly established himself as one of the current generation’s most impressive artists.  He came to national attention in 2007 when, at age 26, he debuted at the Met’s season-opening night and was quickly … Continue reading →

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10 Questions for Ambur Braid

Posted on March 9, 2013 by barczablog

Ambur Braid may have a catchy name, but the reason you remember it is because of what she does with her opportunities. The voice gets mentioned almost in passing (a secure dramatic coloratura that allows her to undertake challenging roles … Continue reading →

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Fledermaus: just like our century

Posted on October 5, 2012 by barczablog

No matter how well they may sing, Johann Strauss Jr’s operetta Die Fledermaus requires its singers to act.  Although the music may be irresistible, I haven’t fully surrendered to any of the Fledermice I’ve seen.  No wonder it was usually … Continue reading →

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