Handel’s Semele has an unconventional opening, and unconventional it continues throughout the performance. The orchestra plays and a short film captures the screen masking the stage and explains the origin of the set and director Zhang Huan’s inspiration for the theme of the interpretation William Congreve’s libretto. However the downfall of this performance is...
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This double bill presented by the Canadian Opera Company doubles the pleasure and doubles the fun. One could say that these one-act operas only have the setting of Florencein common; however we find out that what lies beneath the Tuscan sun is the human experience. A Florentine Tragedy takes place in the darkness...
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Jack Rennie as Love and Peggy Kriha Dye as Armide Opera Atelier returns to the Elgin theatre for their second production of the 2011/2012 season with Jean-Baptiste Lully’s Armide. This French Baroque opera provides all the joys that come with live theatre; it is a sensual feast for the eyes, ears and heart. Armide...
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Though the weather may not feel like it, Spring is in the air and the Canadian Opera Company blossoms back on stage with The Tales of Hoffmann for the first time since 1988. It is interesting to note that the composer Jacques Offenbach died before this opera was completed. Each company’s adaptation allows the...
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Canadian Opera Company’s take on Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho’s 2000 opera Love From Afar has ambition. However, ambition does not always equal success. Yet, if you stick out the entire performance, you’ll find that the second half becomes much stronger, almost feeling like a different performance. Love from Afar, directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca of...
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Perhaps one of the most well known operas worldwide, the Canadian Opera Company’s production of Tosca will not disappoint. Puccini’s tale of one woman’s struggles through love, jealousy, treachery and death unfolds on stage in heartbreaking detail. No shrinking violet, Floria Tosca (sung on opening day by Adrianne Pieczonka) is the epitome of a...
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As I got off the fifth floor of Toronto’s Elgin Theatre I was treated to the sounds of Opera Atelier’s star performer, the young soprano Meghan Lindsay as she rehearsed behind the closed door of her dressing room. Instantly warm and welcoming, I sat down with Lindsay to chat about her upcoming role as...
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Opera Atelier’s opening night performance of Mozart’s dark, ironic tragic-comedy Don Giovanni was a roaring success. Full of laughter, wonderful singing, conducting and lively direction, it is a must see before it’s gone. One of the wonderful things about Opera Atelier is their attention to detail and their intentions of keeping productions as accurate...
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