Category Archives: Toronto opera news and views

Casting for Julie announced

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Lucia Cervoni as Carmen in Magdeburg

The casting for Philip Boesmans’ chamber opera Julie, to be staged by Soundstrams and Canadian Stage in November has been announced.  The title role will be sung by London, Ontario mezzo Lucia Cervoni.  I’ve not seen her but judging by reviews she seems to be very much in the same space; physically and vocally, as Malena Ernman who premiered the role.  Jean, her feckless lover, well be sung by Clarence Frazer.  He’s been on terrific form lately and seems a good pick, though it’s a rather thankless role.  The toughest sing in the piece is probably Christine, Jean’s fiancée and a servant in the household.  This goes to Ottawa’s Sharleen Joynt.  She really impressed me as Zerlina in Against the Grain’s #UncleJohn and I’m really intrigued to see what she does with a high coloratura role which is, I believe, her normal turf.  Continue reading →

The Royal Conservatory 2015/16 season

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PD32029780_Terfel__1514579cThe Royal Conservatory has now announced the 2015/16 season.  The full details plus how to subscribe, buy tickets etc is here.  It’s the usual rich mix of music in a wide range of genres.  Here are the things I will be looking out for:

April 24th 2016 in Koerner Hall at 3pm there’s a recital by Bryn Terfel with Natalia Katyukova.  This is definitely the big name vocal gig of the season.

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A few more happenings in June

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EG-300x201June is still a bit quiet but I have had word of a few more performances around the city.  On the 13th Lindsay Promane, Daevyd Pepper and pianist Natasha Fransblow; all seen recently at either Metro Youth Opera or various UoT events, have a recital at Islington United Church.  Featured composers include Ravel, Tosti and Saint-Saens.  It’s at 7.30pm and it’s Pay What You Can.

On the 17th and 18th at 8pm Array Music are presenting How it Storms.  It’s an opera for gamelan ensemble by Allen Cole.  The singers will be Salzburg and Zürich bound Claire de Sévigné, Danielle MacMillan (where’s she been this year?), Chris Mayell and Keith O’Brien. This one is at The Array Space, 155 Walnut Ave and admission is $15.00.

Then on the 21st there’s a concert performance of Le Nozze di Figaro at St Simon-The-Apostle Anglican Church.  It’s at 7pm and it’s Pay What You Can.

Finally, you can catch the broadcast of the Royal Opera’s recent production of Weill’s Mahagonny at the Bloor Hot Docs on the 28th at noon.

It’s that time of year

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atg_dandd_webposter_revisedIt’s that time of year when the musical calendar kind of grinds almost to a halt in Toronto.  Looking ahead to June there’s not a whole lot on offer, at least in the opera/choral/artsong departments.  The big event is Against the Grain’s Death and Desire show, of which I saw the first half previewed in the RBA.  It’s on at the Neubacher Shor Gallery (Queen and Dufferin) on June 2nd to 5th at 8pm.  Tickets are going fast so if you plan to go, head here soon. There’s a Mahler 2nd (Resurrection) Symphony at the TSO on June 10th (8pm) and 12th(7.30pm).  Erin Wall, Susan Platts and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir will join the orchestra with Peter Oudjian conducting. Then it’s Luminato.  The big deal for opera fans here is R. Murray Schafer’s Apocalypsis.  David Fallis will direct what sounds like a Cecil B. DeMille scale extravaganza.  It’s at the Sony Centre on June 26th and 27th (8pm) and the 28th (2pm).  At your own risk…

M’dea Undone

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M’dea Undone; music by John Harris , libretto by Marjorie Chan, opened in the Holcim Gallery at the Evergreen Brickworks last night in a production by Tim Albery.  My review, still a WIP, will appear in Opera Canada in due course though it has triggered some more general thoughts about “new opera” that I might explore here.  It’s worth seeing just to experience the unconventional performance space.  There are three more performances tonight, tomorrow and Friday.  Here’s a photograph.

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Lauren Segal as M’dea. Photo by Dahlia Katz.

One for pedalophiles

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Following on the indie opera theme, Bicycle Opera Project have announced details of their 2015 season.  Things kick off with a preview concert at 10pm at Mazzoleni Hall on May 21st as part of the 21C festival.  It will feature works from this summer’s tour program Shadow Box and the singers will be Alexander Dobson and Graham Thomson along with regulars Stephanie Tritchiew and Larissa Koniuk.  Featured works will include The Blind Woman by James Rolfe and David Yee; The Yellow Wallpaper by Cecilia Livingston and Nicolas Billon; (What rhymes with) Azimuth? by Ivan Barbotin and Liza Balkan; “The Dreaming Duet” from The Bells of Baddeck (world premiere) by Dean Burry and Lorna MacDonald; and, what else?, Bianchi: A five-minute bicycle opera by Tobin Stokes.  They will also be premiering a new commission; Ride of the Bicycle Bells by Christopher Thornborrow.  This mashes together the operatic overture with a special bike-y twist – it’s scored for 11 bicycle bells and one bike horn!

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Building the audience for indie opera

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Building_Blog_AudienceOpera America recently awarded a series of grants to opera companies for audience development.  Most of these grants went to mainstream opera companies; usually “the big guy in town”.  $35000 though went to Toronto’s Tapestry Opera.  Yesterday I met with artistic director Michael Mori to find out what it was all about.

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Sad news

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Clarice Carson as Violetta 001 - thumbCanadian soprano Clarice Carson died on the weekend aged 85.  In her career she sang a range of roles ranging from Mozart to Wagner including Tosca on Radio-Canada televeision with Louis Quilico as Scarpia (and we’ll never see that again).  She sang in many major houses including The Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco and Venice’s La Fenice.

Ms. Carson was an active member of the Board of the International Resource Centre for Performing Artists, for which she often gave wardrobe consultations to young artists, mentored singers and acted as consultant for their careers. Clarice donated her musical scores and recordings to the IRCPA reference library planned to open in her name in the fall of 2017.  Canadian Donations for this library can be made directly to the IRCPA website at Canada Helps: www.ircpa.net.

Toronto Operetta Theatre announces 2015/16 season

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Bon-Voyage-closeupOnce again Toronto Operetta Theatre will stage three shows with a typical mix of an English language piece, a classic European work and a zarzuela.  First up is Bernstein’s Candide which will run October 23rd to 25th.  The holiday show will be Romberg’s The Student Prince with five performances from December 27th to January 3rd.  The final offering will be Jacinto Guerrero’s Los Gavilanes with four performances from April 27th to May 1st.  All shows wil be at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts.  No details on casting yet.

New developments from CASP

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The Canadian Art Song project has announced plans for the 2015/16 season.  As well as the annual “Celebration of Canadian Art Song” concert will be held on May 5, 2016 at 12 noon as part of the Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre thereare  going to be two ticketed recitals; the first at the Extension Room on November 7th, 2015 and the second at the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse on February 5th, 2016.

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