Canadian Opera Company - Toronto | 24 April 2024 |
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Performance reviews
Key | Photo gallery | Production details | Video link |
L'elisir d'amoreCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 4 |
COC's The Elixir Of Love is a middling concoction |
19 Oct 17 / Now Toronto |
A jaunty success |
17 Oct 17 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Elixir of Love’s recipe works to perfection |
13 Oct 17 / The Toronto Star |
ArabellaCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 7 |
Arabella was a beautiful and dazzling operatic production |
19 Oct 17 / The Strand |
Il sorriso nel crepuscolo |
18 Oct 17 / L'Ape musicale |
Girlhood, interrupted |
17 Oct 17 / parterre box |
more reviews [+]
This Arabella will make you fall in love |
13 Oct 17 / Now Toronto |
Musically vibrant, visually subdued |
10 Oct 17 / ConcertoNet (English) |
COC’s Arabella succeeds on strength of its singers |
7 Oct 17 / The Toronto Star |
Canadian Opera Company's Arabella sparkles in every way |
7 Oct 17 / Broadway World |
ToscaCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 8 |
Why tamper with success? |
17 May 17 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Tosca’s cautious leap |
15 May 17 / Opera Today |
Women rule in COC’s terrific Tosca |
6 May 17 / Now Toronto |
more reviews [+]
Le campane di San Pietro |
5 May 17 / L'Ape musicale |
Adrianne Pieczonka slays as Puccini’s tortured diva |
3 May 17 / OperaWire |
Adrianne Pieczonka nails her scenes to the stage floor in Tosca |
3 May 17 / The Toronto Star |
Canadian Opera Company's Tosca is a total triumph |
3 May 17 / Broadway World |
COC offers a night at the cinematic opera with Tosca |
2 May 17 / The Globe and Mail |
Louis RielCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 7 |
With its new production of Harry Somers’ Louis Riel, Canadian Opera Company has covered itself in resplendent glory |
15 May 17 / Opera Today |
A harrowing epic |
11 May 17 / ConcertoNet (English) |
L'Opera e la Storia |
5 May 17 / L'Ape musicale |
more reviews [+]
Louis Riel revival is electric |
26 Apr 17 / Now Toronto |
A step in the right direction |
25 Apr 17 / Broadway World |
Louis Riel opera’s flaws redeemed, mostly, by star Russell Braun |
22 Apr 17 / The Toronto Star |
Grand visions flame out at Louis Riel opera |
22 Apr 17 / The Globe and Mail |
GötterdämmerungCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 6 |
Cards on the table |
28 Feb 17 / parterre box |
Musically magnificent, visually subdued |
24 Feb 17 / ConcertoNet (French) |
En plus de cette éclatante réussite orchestrale, ce Crépuscule des dieux permet d'entendre une brillante distribution |
12 Feb 17 / Avant-Scène Opéra |
more reviews [+]
The Canadian Opera Company’s Götterdämmerung dazzles with its art and humanity |
8 Feb 17 / Now Toronto |
Christine Goerke stuns in COC’s powerful Goetterdaemmerung |
4 Feb 17 / The Globe and Mail |
Gotterdammerung still speaks to the human condition |
4 Feb 17 / The Toronto Star |
associated articles [+]
Christine Goerke on Wagner, endurance and the drive to perform
In a year or so, Christine Goerke will be sing Brunhilde in a complete Ring Cycle at the Met. Odds are, when that happens, that she will be one of the most famous operatic performers in the world.
In a year or so, Christine Goerke will be sing Brunhilde in a complete Ring Cycle at the Met. Odds are, when that happens, that she will be one of the most famous operatic performers in the world.
Christine Goerke talks Brünnhilde
Ahead of Wagner's Götterdammerung at the COC, the great American Wagnerian soprano gives a free-ranging and candid interview on her life and art.
Ahead of Wagner's Götterdammerung at the COC, the great American Wagnerian soprano gives a free-ranging and candid interview on her life and art.
Die ZauberflöteCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 5 |
A welcome return |
23 Feb 17 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Le chef Bernard Labadie propose une lecture alerte, nerveuse |
12 Feb 17 / Avant-Scène Opéra |
The Magic Flute could be more enchanting |
26 Jan 17 / Now Toronto |
more reviews [+]
COC’s Magic Flute takes its time, but finally delivers |
21 Jan 17 / The Globe and Mail |
The Magic Flute casts spell over Canadian Opera Company |
20 Jan 17 / The Toronto Star |
AriodanteCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 4 |
La solitudine dell'innocenza |
2 Nov 16 / L'Ape musicale |
COC’d Up Ariodante |
29 Oct 16 / Opera Today |
Handel’s Scottish opera |
26 Oct 16 / ConcertoNet (English) |
more reviews [+]
COC's Ariodante offers audiences plenty to ponder |
18 Oct 16 / The Toronto Star |
NormaCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 5 |
Norma, Norma e Adalgisa |
2 Nov 16 / L'Ape musicale |
Worth the wait |
29 Oct 16 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Norma les yeux dans les yeux |
11 Oct 16 / Forum Opéra |
more reviews [+]
Astounding singing in COC's Norma |
8 Oct 16 / The Toronto Star |
Sondra Radvanovsky gives blissful performance in COC’s production of Norma |
8 Oct 16 / The Globe and Mail |
associated articles [+]
Sondra Radvanovsky - a star soprano at the pinnacle of her talent
Sondra Radvanovsky plays the title character in Norma, the COC’s first production of this season.
Sondra Radvanovsky plays the title character in Norma, the COC’s first production of this season.
Maometto IICanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 6 |
Singing is primo in Maometto II |
18 May 16 / Musical Toronto |
A dramatic discovery |
15 May 16 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Dal ferro, dal fuoco |
9 May 16 / L'Ape musicale |
more reviews [+]
Rossini's forgotten masterpiece challenges assumptions |
4 May 16 / The Epoch Times |
Canadian Opera Company’s Maometto II boasts spectacular singing |
1 May 16 / The Toronto Star |
COC’s Maometto II a showcase for the magic of the operatic voice |
1 May 16 / The Globe and Mail |
associated articles [+]
Why a newspaper trashed its own opera review
Two weeks ago, Canada’s National Post took down a review of the Canadian Opera Company’s “Maometto II.” On Tuesday afternoon, they put it up again.
Two weeks ago, Canada’s National Post took down a review of the Canadian Opera Company’s “Maometto II.” On Tuesday afternoon, they put it up again.
Finding inspiration in opera
Mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong explores the art form.
Mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong explores the art form.
CarmenCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 4 |
Carmen scores again |
14 May 16 / ConcertoNet (English) |
It might be time for the Canadian Opera Company’s Carmen to take a different shape |
15 Apr 16 / The Globe and Mail |
A touch of Broadway in this Carmen, but the voices are opera-ready |
14 Apr 16 / National Post |
more reviews [+]
Love spits fire in COC’s Carmen |
14 Apr 16 / The Toronto Star |
associated articles [+]
Anita Rachvelishvili on what makes Carmen irresistible
How Carmen’s Anita Rachvelishvili transforms herself into a red-hot opera heroine.
How Carmen’s Anita Rachvelishvili transforms herself into a red-hot opera heroine.
SiegfriedCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 9 |
Un gran Siegfried en Toronto |
3 Feb 16 / Opera World (Spanish) |
Every singer in this production was a power house |
31 Jan 16 / Mooney on theatre |
This is a thrilling show, no matter how you look at it |
31 Jan 16 / SCHMOPERA |
more reviews [+]
Wagner in pigiama |
30 Jan 16 / L'Ape musicale |
Canadian Opera Company’s Siegfried revival is a party worth attending – even in pajamas |
29 Jan 16 / National Post |
It's Debus and the first-rate orchestra who add the muscle and metal needed to forge this essential link in the Ring |
28 Jan 16 / Now Toronto |
Wagnerian adventure |
28 Jan 16 / ConcertoNet (English) |
A human spin on Siegfried that soars |
26 Jan 16 / The Toronto Star |
A stunning Siegfried at the COC |
25 Jan 16 / The Globe and Mail |
associated articles [+]
Don’t expect high kicks in COC’s take on Wagner’s Siegfried
Canada Opera Company’s take on Siegfried’s features unusual dance of the dragon.
Canada Opera Company’s take on Siegfried’s features unusual dance of the dragon.
Christine Goerke
Soprano Christine Goerke on Ring Cycle and the evolution of her voice.
Soprano Christine Goerke on Ring Cycle and the evolution of her voice.
Pyramus and ThisbeCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 9 |
A little bit of this opera goes a long way |
11 Nov 15 / National Post |
Opera’s premiere links modernism with Monteverdi |
6 Nov 15 / Classical Voice North America |
Myths, matched |
4 Nov 15 / parterre box |
more reviews [+]
Tragic love is central to an ingenious linking of opera works from the 17th and 21st centuries |
27 Oct 15 / Now Toronto |
Pyramus and Thisbe – a world premiere |
26 Oct 15 / Opera Ramblings |
Pyramus and Thisbe – Beyond time and space |
26 Oct 15 / Opera Ramblings |
From 1608 to 2015 |
23 Oct 15 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Pyramus and Thisbe a compelling journey into the meaning of time and storytelling |
22 Oct 15 / The Globe and Mail |
Not a conventional night at the opera, but its rewards are considerable |
22 Oct 15 / The Toronto Star |
La TraviataCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 6 |
Traviata tradita |
19 Oct 15 / L'Ape musicale |
A popular success |
19 Oct 15 / ConcertoNet (English) |
La Traviata like you've never seen it before |
15 Oct 15 / The Toronto Star |
more reviews [+]
Canadian Opera Company's traditional production of Verdi classic will leave you swooning |
10 Oct 15 / Now Toronto |
Two out of three ain’t bad |
10 Oct 15 / National Post |
Verdi’s powerful story and lyrical beauty shine under Arin Arbus |
10 Oct 15 / The Globe and Mail |
ErwartungCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 5 |
Return of a landmark production |
22 May 15 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Paired dark tales: vintage Lepage at Canadian Opera |
21 May 15 / Classical Voice North America |
This revival glows more brightly than it ever has before |
14 May 15 / Now Toronto |
more reviews [+]
Canadian Opera Company brings mad, mad modern world to life |
9 May 15 / The Globe and Mail |
Bluebeard’s Castle/Erwartung still has the magic |
7 May 15 / The Toronto Star |
Duke Bluebeard's CastleCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 5 |
Return of a landmark production |
22 May 15 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Paired dark tales: vintage Lepage at Canadian Opera |
21 May 15 / Classical Voice North America |
This revival glows more brightly than it ever has before |
14 May 15 / Now Toronto |
more reviews [+]
Canadian Opera Company brings mad, mad modern world to life |
9 May 15 / The Globe and Mail |
Bluebeard’s Castle/Erwartung still has the magic |
7 May 15 / The Toronto Star |
Il barbiere di SivigliaCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 5 |
Figaro’s back! |
7 May 15 / ConcertoNet (French) |
Canadian Opera Company's revival delights in musical games |
23 Apr 15 / The Epoch Times |
Strong performances, eye-popping designs and lively choreography make it watchable |
23 Apr 15 / Now Toronto |
more reviews [+]
The Barber of Seville works up a lather |
21 Apr 15 / National Post |
The Road to Seville, anyone? |
18 Apr 15 / The Toronto Star |
SemeleCanadian Opera CompanyBrooklyn Academy of MusicNo. of reviews: 13 |
Missed opportunities abound in Semele from Canadian Opera at BAM |
21 Mar 15 / Broadway World |
In Brooklyn, Handel’s ‘Semele’ gets transported to China |
17 Mar 15 / Wall Street Journal |
Handel opera gets an Asian makeover at BAM |
17 Mar 15 / Brooklyn Daily Eagle |
more reviews [+]
Laughing in all the wrong places: Handel’s ‘Semele’ misfires at BAM |
15 Mar 15 / New York Observer |
Mortal purpose |
12 Mar 15 / parterre box |
The third act's focus saves the evening's turmoil |
11 Mar 15 / Broadway World |
While occasionally incoherent, Zhang Huan‘s splendid staging is simultaneously dazzling and suave |
10 Mar 15 / Blogcritics |
Lust, revenge and an interesting mingling of styles |
9 Mar 15 / Bachtrack |
At BAM, a Semele like no other |
7 Mar 15 / Vulture |
Semele's operatic sumo fights & donkey dicks at BAM |
7 Mar 15 / Out |
Fine singing enhances BAM’s odd yet entertaining “Semele” |
6 Mar 15 / Classical Review |
Handel’s ‘Semele’ Comes With Sumo Wrestlers at BAM |
6 Mar 15 / New York Times |
Handel’s Semele in Chinese temple built 450 years ago, watch out for donkeys and dragons |
6 Mar 15 / Seen and Heard |
associated articles [+]
Semele at BAM: Making room for the sumo wrestlers
Fitting the Canadian Opera Company's Semele into the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Gilman opera house required technical ingenuity.
Fitting the Canadian Opera Company's Semele into the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Gilman opera house required technical ingenuity.
BAM’s ‘Semele’: Where baroque opera meets sumo wrestling
Provocative Handel opera is staged with a 17-ton Ming Dynasty temple.
Provocative Handel opera is staged with a 17-ton Ming Dynasty temple.
Die WalküreCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 9 |
Christine Goerke made a spectacular role debut as Brünnhilde |
10 Feb 15 / Wall Street Journal |
Dramatic tenor Issachah Savage makes sensational debut in COC Die Walkure |
10 Feb 15 / La Scena Musicale (English) |
A thrilling return |
9 Feb 15 / ConcertoNet (English) |
more reviews [+]
Grab this Ring |
5 Feb 15 / Now Toronto |
Die Walkure revival a triumph at the COC |
4 Feb 15 / La Scena Musicale (English) |
The riches of Die Walkure are boundless |
3 Feb 15 / The Toronto Star |
A wondrous Walkure at the COC |
3 Feb 15 / The Globe and Mail |
COC’s Die Walküre is ride on, and even just Act 1 is worth the price of admission |
3 Feb 15 / National Post |
Back in command |
3 Feb 15 / New York Times |
associated articles [+]
COC’s Die Walkure gets most Dora Award nominations
The Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts has announced the nominations for the 25th annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards, which honour excellence in the performing arts in Toronto.
The Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts has announced the nominations for the 25th annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards, which honour excellence in the performing arts in Toronto.
Christine Goerke reigns as Wagner heroine Brunnhilde
Christine Goerke’s portrayal of Brunnhilde in the Canadian Opera Company’s Die Walkure is first of five outings as the warrior princess.
Christine Goerke’s portrayal of Brunnhilde in the Canadian Opera Company’s Die Walkure is first of five outings as the warrior princess.
Don GiovanniCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 6 |
A powerful, reimagined ‘Don Giovanni’ |
10 Feb 15 / Wall Street Journal |
A long, dreary night |
8 Feb 15 / ConcertoNet (English) |
‘Don Giovanni’ at the Met Opera and in two other stagings |
7 Feb 15 / New York Times |
more reviews [+]
A moody Svengali attracts women in an unusual staging of Mozart’s opera |
27 Jan 15 / Now Toronto |
A new vision for Don Giovanni, with mixed results |
27 Jan 15 / The Globe and Mail |
Miss seeing COC’s Don Giovanni at your peril |
26 Jan 15 / The Toronto Star |
associated articles [+]
Dmitri Tcherniakov takes a bold new approach with Don Giovanni
‘Don’t worry about kissing right now, guys. Let’s just get the scene worked out, and you can all kiss properly in later rehearsals, when it will come more naturally.'
‘Don’t worry about kissing right now, guys. Let’s just get the scene worked out, and you can all kiss properly in later rehearsals, when it will come more naturally.'
Michael Schade finds inspiration in Mozart
Canadian Opera Company brings 'Don Giovanni' back to the stage.
Canadian Opera Company brings 'Don Giovanni' back to the stage.
Madama ButterflyCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 6 |
Kelly Kaduce is a moving Butterfly in the Canadian Opera Company’s alternate cast |
17 Oct 14 / Now Toronto |
The great favourite sails on |
17 Oct 14 / ConcertoNet (English) |
The Canadian Opera Company’s Madama Butterfly is a notch below essential |
16 Oct 14 / National Post |
Reviews search
Performance schedule
Donizetti
26 Apr to 18 May 2024
Cherubini
3 to 25 May 2024
HAUI x Sean Mayes
14 to 16 Jun 2024
Verdi
4 to 25 Oct 2024
Gounod
11 Oct to 2 Nov 2024
Puccini
24 Jan to 16 Feb 2025
Bilodeau
31 Jan to 15 Feb 2025
Berg
25 Apr to 16 May 2025
Tchaikovsky
2 to 24 May 2025
Mascagni
23 May 2025
News & Articles
Canadian Opera Company’s 2024-25 season |
Tamara Wilson, Anna Pirozzi, Eri Nakamura and Long Long lead Canadian Opera Company’s 2024-25 season. |
23 Feb 2024 / OperaWire |
Canadian Opera Company announces winter & spring 2021-22 season |
The Canadian Opera Company has announced three new mainstage productions at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts for the 2021-22 season. |
19 Sep 2021 / OperaWire |
Canadian Opera Company receives new funding |
The Department of Canadian Heritage has announced that the Canadian Opera Company will receive $644,372 in crucial funding provided through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund. |
24 Feb 2021 / OperaWire |
Canadian Opera Company announces new General Director |
Canadian Opera Company has announced that Perryn Leech will be its new incoming General Director, effective March 1, 2021. |
2 Dec 2020 / OperaWire |
Canadian Opera Company cancels remainder of 2020-21 season |
The company announced that productions of Bizet’s “Carmen,” Janáček’s “Katya Kabanova,” Verdi’s “La Traviata,” and Gluck’s “Orfeo ed Euridice” will no longer be performed. |
7 Oct 2020 / OperaWire |