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News from the Arts Industry

By Arthur Kaptainis on 29 August 2019 Arts Industry, Music Competition, Opera, Piano

Polarized Views on Domingo A lengthy Associated Press report on the alleged inappropriate behaviour of Plácido Domingo has divided music lovers. Supporters of the general director of the Los Angeles Opera point out that he took no for an answer – eventually – when approaching potential paramours. Others contend that his conduct constituted harassment. The story by Jocelyn Gecker claimed that seven of nine performers interviewed felt that their careers were “adversely impacted” by their non-cooperation. Two said they accepted his advances. The only accuser who let her name be used, retired mezzo-soprano Patricia Wulf, subsequently told NPR: “I didn’t…

Eight professional vocalists interpret the poems of Oleksandr Oles

By Newswire on 12 August 2019 Art Song, Newswire, Vocal

August 12 – 18, 2019 Temerty Theatre, Royal Conservatory’s TELUS Centre for Performance and Leadership For Immediate Release July 30, 2019 Eight professional vocalists interpret the poems of Oleksandr Oles with art songs by four composers at the third annual Ukrainian Art Song Summer Institute Toronto, ON – The Ukrainian Art Song Project announced that the third annual Summer Institute will focus on the theme of Muse, with eight professional vocalists interpreting the poems of Oleksandr Oles, with art songs by Ukrainian composers: Myroslav Volynsky, Mykola Lysenko, Yakiv Steopovyi, and Marko Kropyvnytskyi. The Art Song Summer Institute opens on Monday,…

Alexander Neef Appointed Next General Director of Opéra national de Paris

By Newswire on 25 July 2019 Opera

Toronto – Today, Canadian Opera Company General Director Alexander Neef was named the next General Director of Opéra national de Paris. The official announcement was made in Paris at a meeting of the French Cabinet. Neef’s term will begin in the 2021/2022 season, succeeding Stéphane Lissner as current head of Opéra national de Paris; until then, the COC General Director will remain in Toronto, guiding the company through to the close of its 2020/2021 season. “The Canadian Opera Company has been my home for more than a decade and I am humbled and honoured by the welcome and support that I…

Photo: Marco Borrelli

Michael Spyres at Lanaudière: A Masterclass in Belcanto

By Adrian Rodriguez on 12 July 2019 Concert Reviews, Opera

On Thursday, July 11, along with my opera fans colleagues, we withstood a road full with traffic, heavy rain and stormy winds to the Église de l’Assomption to hear American tenor Michael Spyres and pianist Mathieu Pordoy in recital. The inconvenient voyage paid off, as we were treated to the musicality and artistry of one of the most technically proficient singers in our time. Throughout the two hour recital, Spyres showed an instrument capable of delivering sweet and tender nuances, and also thunderous sounds, like a passing summer breeze that caresses the ear only to become a storm minutes later.…

Trio Dell’Aria announces new album, “Memories of Places Past”, and Live Performance

By Newswire on 12 July 2019 Arts Industry, Chamber Music, Discovery CDs, Newswire, Vocal

Location: Église Saint-Hubert (Longueuil) and Église Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (Montreal) JOIN US on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 OR Wednesday, August 28, 2019 Trio Dell’Aria (Kripa Nageshwar, soprano; Michael Westwood, clarinet; and Ruta Vaivade, piano) will premiere pieces from their new album, Memories of Places Past at Église Saint- Hubert (Longueuil) on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 OR Église Notre-dame-de-grâce on Wednesday, August 28, 2019 beginning at 7:00 p.m. The album, which received FACTOR funding, features new works from two of Canada’s foremost composers (Colin Eatock and Frank Horvat) and German art songs by Louis Spohr (1784 – 1859). The album was produced by…

WHITNEY ROBINSON, ALEX SOARE and KEELY FUTTERER as The Marquise, Sulpice and Marie; photo: Gary David Gold

Opera Saratoga 2019 – Tales of Girls Interrupted

By Charles Geyer on 7 July 2019 Chamber Music, Classical, Classical Music, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Opera, Orchestral, Romantic, Theatre, Vocal

REVIEW: of Ellen West (the world premiere of a new work by Ricky Ian Gordon and Frank Bidart); and La fille du régiment (a new production of Donizetti’s 1840 comic opera). Opera Saratoga inaugurated its summer 2019 mainstage series on June 29 and 30 – the same weekend as the highly-touted “WorldPride 50” celebration. The latter event, of course, originated as homage to the purported founding moment of the modern gay rights movement; but it has by now pullulated far beyond its initial meaning, becoming a portmanteau affirmation of self-identities of all stripes. It is interesting, then, that – whether…

Opéra de Montréal: An unforgettable season!

By Newswire on 27 June 2019 Opera

The Opéra de Montréal’s 2018-2019 season will be remembered for quality and accessibility Montreal, June 27, 2019 – Opéra de Montréal capped off its 2018-2019 season with six sold-out performances of Carmen at the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier. The season had opened with a bang as well with Rigoletto, an immense success that showcased the incredible talent of the American tenor René Barbera, who positively galvanized the critics. Das Rheingold saw many canadian singers debuts in Wagner in a very innovative production, while Champion allowed Montrealers to discover the first opera by jazz musician Terrence Blanchard who was nominated for an Oscar…

Choral Canada Announces Finalists in 2019 National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs

By Newswire on 22 June 2019 Choral, Music Competition, Newswire

Toronto, ON June 15, 2019 – A treasured Canadian choral tradition, the celebrated National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs inspires choirs to strive for excellence, provides visibility for amateur choirs of all types and traditions, and encourages the creation and performance of Canadian works. The Competition, presented by Choral Canada in collaboration with the Canada Council for the Arts, and with support from CBC Music, Centre d’excellence artistique de l’Ontario and UNISONG is open to all Canadian amateur choirs and attracts diverse participants from coast to coast. Please note that finalists are listed in alphabetical order. The 2019 Finalists are:…

Photo: Simon Pauly

Mezzo Caroyln Sproule Represents Canada at 27th Operalia in Czech Republic

By Newswire on 19 June 2019 Music Competition, Opera

OPERALIA, PLÁCIDO DOMINGO´S WORLD OPERA COMPETITION, COMES TO THE CZECH REPUBLIC FOR THE FIRST TIME The National Theatre and the Domingo-Mozart-Prague organization will host the 27th edition of the prestigious international opera competition Operalia. The competition will take place from July 21 to 26 July. The National Theatre Orchestra, the oldest orchestra in the Czech Republic, will accompany the competition’s finals concert conducted by Maestro Plácido Domingo. Prague, June 12, 2019 – OPERALIA, the international Opera competition founded by Plácido Domingo in 1993, will be presented in the Czech Republic for the very first time this summer. The competition will…

Unveiling of the Vocal Arts Festival Program

By Newswire on 10 June 2019 Vocal

SOME 50 YOUNG SINGERS IN TEN PUBLIC EVENTS FOR CVAI MONTREAL VOCAL ARTS FESTIVAL 16th EDITION Montreal, Monday, May 27, 2019 – The 16th edition of the Canadian Vocal Arts Institute and Montreal Vocal Arts Festival will take place from July 22 to August 9, 2019. Some 50 most talented young singers from 12 countries will perfect their craft under the tutelage of world renowned teachers. They will showcase their work in 10 public events. As always, this great vocal arts celebration is placed under the expert joint artistic direction of Joan Dornemann and Paul Nadler. Opera lovers will be…

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