Tag Archives: Holly Chaplin

Another look at Roméo et Juliette as a departure point for reflections on criticism & dramaturgy

This has been a bit of a bewildering week, astonishing contrasts. I repeat my self-fulfilling mantra “I am a lucky guy,” grateful for what I’ve experienced. Wednesday was Opera Atelier’s Magic Flute, Thursday Tapestry Briefs Under Where, Friday was the … Continue reading

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Essays, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Over 800 meals from Boheme On Tap for Daily Bread Food Bank

I have a new perspective on Puccini’s opera since attending La Boheme On Tap last night at the Redwood Theatre, although watching Moonstruck last week while interviewing a couple of the participants highlighted the contrast. Yes Mimi lives in poverty, … Continue reading

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

Holly Chaplin and Ryan Hofman talk about their upcoming La Boheme On Tap

La Boheme is being presented at the Redwood Theatre on Friday September19th 8:00 p.m., a co-production with The Redwood Theatre including a silent auction in support of Daily Bread Food Bank. I talked to Holly Chaplin who sings the starring … Continue reading

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

Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra’s Joy

Tonight Erika joined me to hear the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert featuring joyful works by Beethoven and Bruckner. No wonder they titled it “Joy!” Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber, William Shatner, and Dave Keon were all born on … Continue reading

Posted in Music and musicology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Interviewing Ronald Royer, composer and artistic director of Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra

My interest in Ronald Royer is complex. Ron was a teacher at my school, although I was only dimly aware of that because Ron arrived at the school long after I left. I encountered Ron as Artistic Director of the … Continue reading

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Interviewing the busy soprano, Holly Chaplin

This blog is often a vicarious exercise, a way for a wannabe composer singer pianist to get closer to my heroes, a bit of wish-fulfillment. In the process the reader gets my starstruck expressions of awe, while maybe we learn … Continue reading

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

L’Amant anonyme

Voicebox Opera in Concert presented the last performance of their season series dedicated to Mozart and the operas of his time, L’Amant anonyme by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges aka Joseph Boulogne, sometimes called “The Black Mozart”. His life story … Continue reading

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

Opera York’s Magic Flute

It was worth the drive to Richmond Hill yesterday to see Opera York’s production of The Magic Flute, their first in-person return to the stage since the pandemic. While Friday night’s snow-storm likely reduced attendance, Sunday’s matinee was sold out. … Continue reading

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Pre-Democracy with Lucio Silla

I had an epiphany watching today’s presentation of Lucio Silla from Opera in Concert in the St Lawrence Centre. In my review of the opening night of Hannah Moscovitch’s Post-Democracy (that opened at the Tarragon Theatre last Thursday) I included … Continue reading

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Politics, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Toronto Choral Society – Mozart Requiem

I had my first experience with Toronto Choral Society last night at Eastminster United Church on Danforth. Holly Chaplin’s page on Facebook (where my review of the weekend opera was shared) told me that she and Joshua Clemenger (also in … Continue reading

Posted in Food, Health and Nutrition, Music and musicology, My mother, Press Releases and Announcements | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment