by Melissa Bridges
I had high hopes for The Canadian Opera Company’s production of Richard Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos as this season is filled with exceptionally well presented works. However, I did not particularly enjoy this twentieth century German opera.
Continue reading Review: Ariadne auf Naxos (The Canadian Opera Company)
by Melissa Bridges
From the moment the curtain rose on The Canadian Opera Company’s latest production, Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, I knew I was witnessing something extremely special. The first of the composer’s reform operas (meaning simpler plots and less overly complex music), this particular production is a lesson on how keeping things simple can have amazingly dramatic and wonderful results.
Continue reading Review: Orfeo ed Euridice (The Canadian Opera Company)
by Melissa Bridges
When I heard that The Canadian Opera Company was producing Gioacchino Rossini’s 1817 comical operatic take on the fairytale Cinderella, La Cenerentola, I was very excited to see the classic tale of love triumphant brought to life. This production is well sung and a colourful spectacle. Although I had a good time watching the performance, I left wishing wishing they had done more with it. Continue reading Review: La Cenerentola (The Canadian Opera Company)
by Melissa Bridges
History is being brought to life on stage with the Canadian Opera Company’s current offering of John Adams’ Nixon in China. The 1987 opera, with a poetic libretto by Alice Goodman, chronicles US president Richard Nixon’s momentous trip to China in 1972. It’s a challenging work, thanks to its minimalist score and abstract story line, however the COC’s production is spectacular.
Continue reading Review: Nixon In China (The Canadian Opera Company)
by Melissa Bridges
I’m ashamed to admit that I have never seen a full production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s last opera, The Magic Flute. Pretty sad considering its popularity and my love of the music.
So, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to catch The Canadian Opera Company’s newest production of the beloved opera now playing at The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts until February 25th. Admittedly, I had very high expectations for the production and for the most part, I was not disappointed.
The Magic Flute follows the adventures of Prince Tamino as he undergoes various ordeals and trials in order to win the hand of the beautiful Pamina. This is a two act Singspiel opera, meaning the musical numbers are strung together by spoken dialogue, and is performed entirely in German.
Continue reading Review: The Magic Flute (The Canadian Opera Company)