| Canadian Opera Company - Toronto | 26 September 2018 |
click here for a gallery of photos from recent productions
click here for more photos for
Click below forproduction trailers
Anna Bolena
The Nightingale and Other Short Fables
Die Entführung aus dem Serail
Rigoletto
L'elisir d'amore
You've been granted free access to this page.
Take a FREE 7 DAY TRIAL or SUBSCRIBE today to access the full content of theoperacritic.com.
Free access
Performance reviews
| Key | 
Photo gallery
|
Production details
|
Video link
|
Anna BolenaCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 6 | |
Another triumph for Sondra Radvanovsky |
 9 May 18 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Sondra Radvanovsky reigns supreme in the COC's Anna Bolena |
| 9 May 18 / Broadway World |
Anna Bolena is a great showcase for soprano Sondra Radvanovsky, but not much else |
| 9 May 18 / Now Toronto |
more reviews [+]
Le parole dei Tudor |
| 8 May 18 / L'Ape musicale |
With Anna Bolena, the COC bets it all on Sondra Radvanovsky – and it sure pays off |
| 8 May 18 / The Globe and Mail |
Star Sondra Radvanovsky’s vocals lead Canadian Opera Company to triumph with Anna Bolena |
| 5 May 18 / The Toronto Star |
The Nightingale and Other Short FablesCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 6 | |
A magical night at the opera |
| 4 May 18 / Broadway World |
L'incanto della fiaba |
| 25 Apr 18 / L'Ape musicale |
Robert Lepage’s watery production returns |
| 22 Apr 18 / ConcertoNet (English) |
more reviews [+]
The Nightingale proves the power of live theatre |
| 18 Apr 18 / The Globe and Mail |
An enchanting night of music theatre |
| 18 Apr 18 / Now Toronto |
The Nightingale is musical and visual storytelling at its finest in COC revival |
| 18 Apr 18 / The Toronto Star |
Die Entführung aus dem SerailCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Mozart with extras, alas |
| 20 Feb 18 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Didactic, sanitized staging abducts Mozart’s Seraglio |
| 17 Feb 18 / Classical Voice North America |
Revisions to libretto don’t feel all that necessary |
| 14 Feb 18 / OperaWire |
more reviews [+]
Updated opera Abduction from the Seraglio a mess in all but the music |
| 9 Feb 18 / The Toronto Star |
RigolettoCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 7 | |
Il club dei cortigiani |
| 30 Jan 18 / L'Ape musicale |
Rigoletto reboot |
| 30 Jan 18 / barczablog |
This Rigoletto will leave you cold |
| 26 Jan 18 / Now Toronto |
more reviews [+]
A baffling return |
| 25 Jan 18 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Crisper, tighter, more relevant: revival of Christopher Alden's Rigoletto at the COC |
| 23 Jan 18 / Bachtrack |
COC’s Rigoletto is both a musical jackpot and directorial puzzle |
| 23 Jan 18 / The Globe and Mail |
Rigoletto revival graced with first-rate voices |
| 22 Jan 18 / The Toronto Star |
Le nozze di FigaroCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 7 | |
Nozze all'inglese |
| 2 Nov 17 / L'Ape musicale |
A marriage of style and substance |
| 2 Nov 17 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Eros, nient'altro che Eros |
| 13 Feb 16 / L'Ape musicale |
more reviews [+]
A long evening |
| 8 Feb 16 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Get reintroduced to Mozart's 'Figaro' with the Canadian Opera Company |
| 8 Feb 16 / The Examiner |
A Marriage of Figaro with psychological depth |
| 6 Feb 16 / The Toronto Star |
The Marriage of Figaro proves we can love an opera that omits the best bits |
| 6 Feb 16 / The Globe and Mail |
L'elisir d'amoreCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Senza pensieri |
| 20 Oct 17 / L'Ape musicale |
COC's The Elixir Of Love is a middling concoction |
| 19 Oct 17 / Now Toronto |
A jaunty success |
| 17 Oct 17 / ConcertoNet (English) |
more reviews [+]
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) |
Canadian Opera Company's Arabella sparkles in every way |
| 7 Oct 17 / Broadway World |
COC’s Arabella succeeds on strength of its singers |
| 7 Oct 17 / The Toronto Star |
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 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 |
Adrianne Pieczonka slays as Puccini’s tortured diva |
| 3 May 17 / OperaWire |
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 |
Grand visions flame out at Louis Riel opera |
| 22 Apr 17 / The Globe and Mail |
Louis Riel opera’s flaws redeemed, mostly, by star Russell Braun |
| 22 Apr 17 / The Toronto Star |
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 |
Gotterdammerung still speaks to the human condition |
| 4 Feb 17 / The Toronto Star |
Christine Goerke stuns in COC’s powerful Goetterdaemmerung |
| 4 Feb 17 / The Globe and Mail |
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 [+]
Sondra Radvanovsky gives blissful performance in COC’s production of Norma |
| 8 Oct 16 / The Globe and Mail |
Astounding singing in COC's Norma |
| 8 Oct 16 / The Toronto Star |
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 |
COC’s Maometto II a showcase for the magic of the operatic voice |
| 1 May 16 / The Globe and Mail |
Canadian Opera Company’s Maometto II boasts spectacular singing |
| 1 May 16 / The Toronto Star |
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 – Beyond time and space |
| 26 Oct 15 / Opera Ramblings |
Pyramus and Thisbe – a world premiere |
| 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 [+]
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 |
Canadian Opera Company's traditional production of Verdi classic will leave you swooning |
| 10 Oct 15 / Now Toronto |
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 |
Canadian Opera Company
Toronto
Toronto
Reviews search
Performance schedule
Tchaikovsky
30 Sep to 3 Nov 2018
Wainwright
13 to 27 Oct 2018
Strauss, R
26 Jan to 22 Feb 2019
Mozart
5 to 23 Feb 2019
Puccini
17 Apr to 22 May 2019
Verdi
27 Apr to 21 May 2019
News & Articles
| Canadian Opera Company unveils compelling lineup for 2018/19 |
The new season offers a world-premiere by a Canadian celebrity, rising young singers in leading roles, feel-good familiarity and a revolving door of world-class artistry. |
| 18 Jan 2018 / The Globe and Mail |
| The Canadian Opera Company announces a surplus |
The Canadian Opera Company has just announced a successful year: a small surplus for the season, with a record-breaking $13.9-million in total fundraising revenue. |
| 18 Oct 2017 / The Globe and Mail |
| COC's Alexander Neef marks a decade of high drama |
The Canadian Opera Company’s general director plots a course for the future, with landmark works in store — including a Rufus Wainwright opera and a thrilling production of Wagner’s Parsifal. |
| 16 Oct 2017 / The Toronto Star |
| COC announces plans for eclectic 2017-18 Toronto season |
Canadian Opera Company has announced an eclectic, wide-ranging offering for its 2017-18 season, one that features a unique arrangement between COC and famed Canadian soprano Jane Archibald. |
| 13 Jan 2017 / The Globe and Mail |
| 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. |
| 5 Oct 2016 / The Globe and Mail |
 |