| Canadian Opera Company - Toronto | 21 September 2017 |
click here for a gallery of photos from recent productions
click here for more photos for
Click below forproduction trailers
Tosca
Louis Riel
Götterdämmerung
Die Zauberflöte
Ariodante
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
|
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 [+]
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 |
Love spits fire in COC’s Carmen |
| 14 Apr 16 / The Toronto Star |
more reviews [+]
A touch of Broadway in this Carmen, but the voices are opera-ready |
| 14 Apr 16 / National Post |
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.
Le nozze di FigaroCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Eros, nient'altro che Eros |
| 13 Feb 16 / L'Ape musicale |
Get reintroduced to Mozart's 'Figaro' with the Canadian Opera Company |
| 8 Feb 16 / The Examiner |
A long evening |
| 8 Feb 16 / ConcertoNet (English) |
more reviews [+]
The Marriage of Figaro proves we can love an opera that omits the best bits |
| 6 Feb 16 / The Globe and Mail |
A Marriage of Figaro with psychological depth |
| 6 Feb 16 / The Toronto Star |
SiegfriedCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 9 | |
Un gran Siegfried en Toronto |
| 3 Feb 16 / Opera World (Spanish) |
This is a thrilling show, no matter how you look at it |
| 31 Jan 16 / SCHMOPERA |
Every singer in this production was a power house |
| 31 Jan 16 / Mooney on theatre |
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 [+]
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 |
Two out of three ain’t bad |
| 10 Oct 15 / National Post |
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 Magazine |
Lust, revenge and an interesting mingling of styles |
| 9 Mar 15 / Bachtrack |
Semele's operatic sumo fights & donkey dicks at BAM |
| 7 Mar 15 / Out |
At BAM, a Semele like no other |
| 7 Mar 15 / Vulture |
Handel’s Semele in Chinese temple built 450 years ago, watch out for donkeys and dragons |
| 6 Mar 15 / Seen and Heard |
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 |
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 | |
Dramatic tenor Issachah Savage makes sensational debut in COC Die Walkure |
| 10 Feb 15 / La Scena Musicale (English) |
Christine Goerke made a spectacular role debut as Brünnhilde |
| 10 Feb 15 / Wall Street Journal |
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) |
Back in command |
| 3 Feb 15 / New York Times |
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 |
The riches of Die Walkure are boundless |
| 3 Feb 15 / The Toronto Star |
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 new vision for Don Giovanni, with mixed results |
| 27 Jan 15 / The Globe and Mail |
A moody Svengali attracts women in an unusual staging of Mozart’s opera |
| 27 Jan 15 / Now Toronto |
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 |
more reviews [+]
COC’s Madama Butterfly remains beautiful and problematic |
| 13 Oct 14 / The Globe and Mail |
Canadian Opera Company's production of 'Madama Butterfly' soars |
| 13 Oct 14 / The Examiner |
Madama Butterfly fails to deliver on large promise |
| 12 Oct 14 / The Toronto Star |
FalstaffCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 9 | |
Falstaff offers sheer perfection |
| 12 Oct 14 / The Toronto Star |
A gala season opener |
| 10 Oct 14 / ConcertoNet (French) |
Canadian Opera Company
Toronto
Toronto
Reviews search
Performance schedule
Strauss, R
5 to 28 Oct 2017
Donizetti
11 Oct to 4 Nov 2017
Verdi
20 Jan to 23 Feb 2018
Mozart
7 to 24 Feb 2018
Stravinsky
13 Apr to 19 May 2018
Donizetti
28 Apr to 26 May 2018
News & Articles
| 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 |
| 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. |
| 18 May 2016 / Washington Post |
| Anita Rachvelishvili on what makes Carmen irresistible |
How Carmen’s Anita Rachvelishvili transforms herself into a red-hot opera heroine. |
| 13 Apr 2016 / The Toronto Star |
| 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. |
| 24 Jan 2016 / The Toronto Star |
 |
