The death of Canadian soprano Erin Wall at the far too young age of 44 from complications due to metastatic breast cancer was announced a couple of days ago.  She was a regular performer in Toronto with both the TSO and the COC, as well as internationally, and a well respected colleague respected for her supportive attitude to younger singers.

She. seemed, as one might expect at that age, to be just coming into full flower as a singer and an actor.  Her Chrysothemis in the COC’s production of Strauss’ Elektra in January last year was very fine and a key component of one of the best COC shows of recent years.  Her portrayal of the title role in Massenet’s Thaïs with Andrew Davis and the TSO in November last year was recorded and issued on the Chandos label as was her extremely sympathetic portrayal of Ellen Orford in Britten’s Peter Grimes recorded in Bergen the same month.  We will miss both her artistry and her humanity.