The Canadian Opera Company’s production of Semele by George Frideric Handel contained a number of surprises, including a black and white documentary film clip, sumo wrestlers and an exceptionally well-endowed donkey. Artistic director Zhang Huan seems to relish taking risks with this Baroque canon staple. Continue reading Review: Semele (Canadian Opera Company) →

COC’s productions of A Florentine Tragedy and Gianni Schicchi offer both contrast and appeal

For its sixth production of the season, the Canadian Opera Company decided to do a double feature of one-act operas – A Florentine Tragedy by Alexander von Zemlinsky and Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini. The operas present a fairly stark contrast in terms of style and content. A Florentine Tragedy is darkly comedic, with the emphasis on dark, and tells a story of dysfunctional marriage, adultery and murder. Gianni Schicchi is a hilarious romp about a large, greedy family who gets out-foxed by the cunning Schicchi. It was difficult to understand why these two disparate works were juxtaposed but on the whole it made for a very entertaining evening of singing. Continue reading Review: A Florentine Tragedy/Gianni Schicchi →

Toronto’s Opera Atelier brings excellent performances to the early opera Armide

First performed in 1686, Armide, by Jean-Baptiste Lully, is widely recognized as a masterpiece of early opera. Opera Atelier’s production featured beautiful sets, vibrant costumes, and of course, wonderful singing. Despite the high production value and prodigious artistic talent, the story did not stand the test of time from my perspective and this affected my overall enjoyment of the work. Continue reading Review: Armide (Opera Atelier) →

The COC’s Tales of Hoffmann brings whimsy and beauty to Toronto

On the whole, the Canadian Opera Company has produced a truly spectacular 2011-2012 season thus far. Saturday afternoon’s production of The Tales of Hoffmann was no exception. In a season that has featured a great deal of heavier fare, this frothy, fantastical opera by Jacques Offenbach was a nice change of pace. Continue reading Review: The Tales of Hoffmann (Canadian Opera Company) →

Classical music turned upside at Against The Grain’s Seven Deadly Sins opera and piano theatre show in Toronto

Seven Deadly Sins (and Holier Fare), the latest production by Against the Grain Theatre, evolved around the “ballet chanté” Seven Deadly Sins by Kurt Weill. This work formed the second half of the bill, while the first half featured contemporary works by Steve Reich, Benjamin Britten and John Adams. Continue reading Review: Seven Deadly Sins (and Holier Fare) (Against the Grain Theatre) →