Join us for a heartfelt episode of the Opera Glasses podcast as Elizabeth Bowman hosts her final show and introduces the new Editorial Director of Opera Canada, Michael Jones. With an impressive career spanning from Choirs Ontario to the Saskatchewan Arts Board, Michael shares how his first live opera experience with Britten's “Death in Venice” ignited a lifelong passion. We discuss his vision for Opera Canada, his excitement for upcoming productions, and how his background uniquely positions him to lead this esteemed publication. In a tribute to Opera Canada's rich history, we explore ..read more

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is presenting a reimagined take on Poul Ruders's The Handmaid's Tale, a work-in-progress based on Margaret Atwood’s sobering novel.  Composer Dan Scholsberg was commissioned to arrange the work for chamber ensemble using different technologies to evoke Gilead.  The hope is for this arrangement to be used by more arts companies across the globe. Opera at Banff Centre will continue to thrust forward, while acknowledging and building on the foundations of the past.   Guest host for this episode is Stephania Romaniuk, who is being mentored in t ..read more

Prepare to be captivated as the extraordinary Irish-Canadian mezzo-soprano Wallis Giunta graces our podcast. She makes her Carnegie Hall debut tonight singing Christian Muthspiel’s brand-new arrangement of Kurt Weill 's The Seven Deadly Sins.  Wallis, a mother and a luminary on the international opera stage, dives deep into how she successfully balances her career and motherhood.  Transitioning from the personal to the professional, we turn our spotlight to the shifting tides within the opera industry.  Don't miss this resonant episode which  echoes with advice, anecdotes ..read more

Greek-Canadian soprano Soula Parassidis joins us on The Opera Glasses podcast to talk about her organization, Living Opera, her Canadian debut in Montreal, and the international opera scene. Soula, the driving force behind Living Opera, talks about how it all began—spoiler alert: the catalyst was her husband and Living Opera partner, Norman Reinhardt's journey overcoming performance anxiety. Living Opera offered a forum to share and invite performers to connect, feel heard, and learn from these experiences. The organization has grown into so much more since. Soula's upcoming Canadian debut i ..read more

Embark on a riveting journey with The Opera Glasses Podcast as we host the magnificent Canadian baritone Elliot Madore, who opens up about the nuances of embodying roles in both contemporary and time-honoured operas. Elliot unveils the behind-the-scenes magic of collaborating with composer Matthew Aucoin for his role in Eurydice (Boston Lyric Opera) and contrasts this with his most recent performances with Edmonton Opera in the title role of their Don Giovanni. He reflects on his long career to-date: the challenges of sustaining a career in opera, and what has given him the focus, and continu ..read more

In this episode, I, Elizabeth Bowman, am joined by the insightful Michael Zarathus-Cook, Managing Editor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Chief Editor of Canopy Magazine. We're peeling back the curtain on the Emerging Arts Writer Program at the Banff Centre (part of Joel Ivany's Chamber Music and Opera program), revealing the nuts and bolts of nurturing new, vibrant voices in arts journalism. Michael, leaving his basketball enthusiasm courtside, brings his wealth of experience to our conversation, focusing on the need for writers who can create captivating arts coverage that resonates wit ..read more

Experience a journey into the world of opera with special guest, Timothy Myers, one of America's most innovative conductors. Recently appointed as Music Director at the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra, Myers—who also holds the Music Directorship at Austin Opera—lends his unique insights into the changing landscape of opera and its audience in the post-pandemic world. Join us as we delve into the evolving preferences of opera audiences. In closing, Myers reflects on the importance of fostering an inclusive environment in the arts and making it an affordable and engaging experience for everyone ..read more

Italian-Canadian soprano and Principal at Cesaroni Consulting, Lucia Cesaroni, is a regular contributor to Opera Canada's print publications.  She writes the Stage Business and Essential Perspectives columns. The Opera Glasses host, Elizabeth Bowman, chats with Cesaroni about the state of the opera business, more specifically what audiences want, music education, the worth of artists in business, and funding. Lucia Cesaroni has established an international opera career, singing with companies in Italy, the U.S. and Canada. Living between Toronto, New York and Raiano, Italy, Lucia employs ..read more

On July 12, Lebanese-Canadian soprano Joyce El-Khoury will be making her professional stage debut in the title role of Carmen at Oper im Steinbruch (more information here).  She talks about taking on new roles, the importance of fine tuning your technique, and has great advice for emerging singers coming up in this business. Born in Lebanon and raised in Canada, Joyce’s discography includes three rare Donizetti operas on the Opera Rara label (Les Martyrs, Belisario and L’Ange de Nisida) conducted by Sir Mark Elder—all to critical acclaim, L’Ange recently took home the 2019 Oper! Award f ..read more

 Guests: Ian Cusson, Composer; Kanika Ambrose,  Librettist; Jorell Williams, Baritone We talk about the upcoming WORLD PREMIERE of the Tapestry Opera/Obsidian Theatre Group  production of OF THE SEA (opens MARCH 25-APRIL 1, 2023). The work is a powerful new opera flowing with hope and heartbreak, written by Kanika Ambrose, composed by Ian Cusson—both are guests on this podcast. Also joining the podcast is American baritone, Jorell Williams, who stars as Maduka in the production. A little bit about the opera (more available here): Under the crushing power of the Atlantic Ocean ..read more