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Browsing: La Scena Spotlight

Magda Olivero: Legendary Soprano

By Denis Robert on 1 September 2017 Art Song, La Scena Spotlight, Opera

Part I Although no longer at their apogee, in the 1960s the two great sopranos of the time, Maria Callas and Renata Tebaldi, were still burning up the stage, and I had the great good fortune to see them. Thanks to their recordings, I had heard them when they were at the height of their careers. These memorable records, beloved by fans, divided the latter into two rival camps. At the time, I counted among my friends Georges Nicholson (for Callas) and Michel Beaulac (for Tebaldi). Each stoutly defended his idol’s merits, Nicholson being proud of Callas’ strong sense of…

La Rentrée Baroque and Early Music

By Arnaud G. Veydarier on 1 September 2017 Baroque and Early, Chamber Music, La Scena Spotlight, Orchestral

The first half of the 2017-18 season offers an ample selection for Early and Baroque Music lovers. Here are our must-see concerts. Arte Musica The distinguished ensemble, Les Arts Florissants, in collaboration with the Club musical de Québec, will present Mantova, the second chapter of a trilogy devoted to the madrigals of Monteverdi. Conducted by Paul Agnew, the group will perform excerpts from Books IV, V, and VI, which embody the composer’s mature period. The ensemble will take the stage at Palais Montcalm on October 3, and at Bourgie Hall on October 4. www.mbam.qc.ca Under its new musical director, Jonathan…

New season: World Music

By Hassan Laghcha on 1 September 2017 La Scena Spotlight, World Music

A look at the 2017-2018 season shows how Montreal’s musical diversity is evolving. There’s now a wide range of shows and discussions focussing on world music with its amazing artistic cross-pollinations and fusions. Here’s a look at some of the highlights. Nuits d’Afrique: reggae, mande and … Canicule Tropicale! or autumn 2017, Productions Nuits d’Afrique offers a very diverse program including reggae, West African Mande music and vintage vinyl DJ sets. The new generation reggae roots band Danakil from France return to Montreal with their new album La Rue raisonne on September 29 at Théâtre Fairmount. On October 13, the…

Illustration: Tommy Tallstig

The Long and Winding Jazz Solo

By Robert Lewis on 1 September 2017 Experimental Jazz, La Scena Spotlight, Mainstream Jazz, Popular Music

Once you play the music, it’s in the air. It’s gone. But when you record it, it comes back to haunt you. – Eric Dolphy What is it that attracts music lovers to jazz (improvised music)? Is it the loose structure, or the beat or the notes and melodies we have never heard before and will never hear again, unless the performance has been recorded; or is it the musician’s uncanny ability to spontaneously translate feelings that inform the notes into the language of music? Perhaps it is his audacity and courage — daring to play without a script; to…

Opera Creations in Canada

By Patricia Weber on 1 September 2017 150/375, Contemporary, La Scena Spotlight, Opera

This year, the Montreal landscape will be particularly animated by the creations of operas, thanks to the dedication of the ECM + and Chants Libres. The Opéra de Montréal’s programming will take part in this celebration with two Montreal creations, which will give the young artists of its Atelier Lyrique the chance to take part. In the rest of Canada, Edmonton will receive Lilies, historical events in Toronto will inspire the creation of a new work and Vancouver will give a new life to a classic. Bandits in the Valley Tapestry Opera, one of Canada’s leading contemporary opera companies, will…

La Rentrée Vocal and Opera

By Patricia Weber on 1 September 2017 Art Song, La Scena Spotlight, Opera

Tosca and La Cenerentola The Opéra de Montréal launches its season with the tragic story of the diva Floria Tosca, by Puccini, from September 16 to 23. Melody Moore, the American soprano who played Madame Butterfly in 2015, portrays the soprano who lets herself become manipulated by Baron Scarpia, the chief of police, played by Canadian baritone Gregory Dahl. Chilean tenor Giancarlo Monsalve will debut in his interpretation of the role of the painter Cavaradossi, Tosca’s lover. Canadian baritone Patrick Malette, former member of the Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal, will take on the role of the fugitive, Angelotti.…

Photo: Ken Woroner

An Anne for 2017

By Rebecca Anne Clark on 1 September 2017 150/375, Film, La Scena Spotlight

Amongst the line-up the CBC has released for the country’s sesquicentennial celebrations, Anne, its first Anne of Green Gables adaptation in over 30 years, is the biggest standout so far this year. Produced in collaboration with Netflix (where it is broadcast online internationally as Anne With an E), Anne is a TV series made for the modern viewer, a fact that becomes apparent as Anne begins to tell Matthew about herself. By the end of the 90-minute premier, the show has made its first major departure from the book: Marilla punishes Anne by coldly sending her back to the orphanage…

Jazz: At a venue near you

By Marc Chénard on 1 September 2017 Experimental Jazz, La Scena Spotlight, Mainstream Jazz, Scena Jazz, Vocal Jazz

Based on previous experience, the live jazz scene really shifts into overdrive early in October. Not so this year. In fact, it’s off and running just after Labour Day. On September 6, Upstairs Jazz Bar presents a season-opening concert and record launch pairing Israeli saxophonist Tevet Sela and John Roney (see opposite page for album details). At the same venue, French native and pianist Jean-Michel Pilc, now firmly ensconced in town since his move here two years ago, holds his monthly trio gig, with dates on Sept. 18, Oct. 27 and Nov. 18. Now in its fifth season, the Orchestre…

2017–2018 Opera Diary Dates

By Patricia Weber on 1 September 2017 Art Song, Choral, La Scena Spotlight, Opera

With an impressive roster of seasoned performers and many more in training, opera is a major component of classical music in Canada. Our homegrown talent is gaining recognition abroad, and many of our singers appear regularly in the world’s great opera houses. Here’s a look at some of their diaries for 2017–2018. Soprano Layla Claire, whose Donna Elvira was warmly received by audiences at Opéra de Montréal last November, recently made a debut solo album with ATMA Classique, entitled Songbird. High point of the year for this British Columbian will be her title role in Alcina at the Bolshoi Theatre…

The Five Commandments of Vocal Health

By Adrian Rodriguez on 1 September 2017 Education, La Scena Spotlight

Pop-superstar Adele was recently forced to cancel the remainder of her tour due to voice damage for the second time in five years. Her latest voice setback has prompted a vigorous debate on social media about vocal health. Voice doctors, teachers and gurus are trying to explain why so many stars are currently having voice problems. The list of voice to do’s and don’ts is extensive: from famed Soprano Shirley Verret becoming a loner on show days to preserve silence, to stories of legendary tenor Franco Corelli having his wife hold a cross to his larynx in order to obtain…

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