Canadian tenor David Pomeroy makes last minute MET debut as Hoffman

Former COC Ensemble Member and Newfoundlander David Pomeroy posted on Facebook that he was making his last minute MET debut last night in the role of Hoffman...not only his MET debut (he was the understudy for Calleja) but his role debut to boot!

Here is a bit of a review from a google opera discussion thread:

To get it out of the way, he is about 34 or so, and though he was the understudy and performed the last two acts at the dress, this was actually his MET debut, and his role debut (!!!), and he was given notice that he was going on at 3:30 this afternoon. In other words, he had only slightly more time to get ready that he had to be on stage once the opera started. He seemed remarkably self assured - if you didn't know the circumstances, you wouldn't have guessed - except in his duets with Antonia (Netrebko), where he lost a bit of focus and was obviously more thinking about staying on the same page with her than anything else.

Merry Christmas!

A very Merry Christmas to all of you out there in Canadian Opera land! I will be on vacation until January 4...I hope you will keep reading in 2010 as I plan to discuss graduate voice programs in Canada as well as a continue the Spotlight on Repertoire!

Best wishes for 2010!

Elizabeth

Toronto Operetta Theatre - 25 years going strong

For those of you who missed this Toronto Star article...Toronto Operetta Theatre (TOT) celebrates 25 years!

Read more on Bill Silva and his history with the company.

Audition workshop in Toronto 2010

I just received this interesting workshop notice this week...have a look:

We would like to forward the below mentioned workshop taking place in Toronto on January 9, 2010. This workshop will be conducted by Opera America Member and Dramatic Soprano, Margarete von Vaight. Ms. von Vaight studied vocal performance in Toronto, Vienna and Seattle by world-renowned Dramatic Soprano, Jane Eaglen. This workshop will focus on the needs of Career Planning for the Intermediate and Advanced Singer. Specifically, audition preparation, resume preparation, and the importance of competitions and their impact on a young singer's resume. Ms. von Vaight returns with a wealth of knowledge during her cross Canada tour featuring meetings with Music Directors and Artistic Administrators of Canadian and American opera companies. Each student will be provided with an "Audition Package" which will feature Mock Audition material.
Interactive exercises, discussion and networking amongst other singers will be included. Please feel free to contact us for more information.


Career Planning for Singers Workshop January 9, 2010
Toronto, Ontario

Career Planning for Singers 2010, will explore the preparation of a young singers performance career. Join us for an afternoon filled with educational information every singer should know.

Singers will be provided with Audition Materials

This workshop will cover:

Resume Writing
Head shots
Repertoire
Young Artist Program Discussion
After Graduation: What Next?
Managers and Agents
Training and Education that Matters
Performance Experience
Mock Audition Packages

Pre-Registration is essential. Please contact us at operaworkshop@gmx.com for more information. Or call 647-242-7342 to reserve.

Date: January 9, 2010
Time: 12:30 @ 4:30pm
Cost: $60.00 (includes all workshop materials)

Elora Festival Academy of Music - Summer 2010

This just in from the Elora Festival...

...an exciting educational off-shoot of the Elora Festival.



We are now accepting applications for the summer of 2010. The Academy is an eight-day residential programme for senior undergrad and post-graduate music students — young advanced, pre-professional and professional, singers and collaborative pianists.

For the summer of 2010 we will be seeking applications from students of voice, and piano accompaniment. These students will be offered an intensive week of individual instruction, master classes and daily performance opportunities. They will also be given the opportunity to expand their artistic insights through interaction with Festival artists. We are also pleased to have internationally renowned artists as resident instructors.

The Programme for Singers and Collaborative Pianists is designed to offer an intensive period of collaboration in vocal literature, focusing on art song but also including repertoire from opera, oratorio and musical theatre. A regimen of daily lessons and masterclasses will culminate in shared, late afternoon public recitals and a final Elora Festival concert showcasing all participants.


...The application deadline is March 15, 2010.

This looks like a great opportunity for undergraduate
singers! Find more information at the Elora website.

Computer-less...

...and lost! It would see that I have forgotten how to function without a computer! I am stealing moments here and there on random computers keep myself connected but until my hard drive is back up, my blogging (and other things) will be on hold! Give me a few days to get my infamous pink laptop back and I'll be back!