Canadian Opera Company - Toronto | 29 March 2024 |
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Performance reviews
Key | Photo gallery | Production details | Video link |
Madama ButterflyCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 6 |
Canadian Opera Company's production of 'Madama Butterfly' soars |
13 Oct 14 / The Examiner |
COC’s Madama Butterfly remains beautiful and problematic |
13 Oct 14 / The Globe and Mail |
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) |
All-Canadian cast shines in Verdi's masterpiece |
8 Oct 14 / The Epoch Times |
more reviews [+]
The COC’s Falstaff is a fine figure of a performance |
8 Oct 14 / National Post |
COC opens new season with a stunning Falstaff |
7 Oct 14 / La Scena Musicale (English) |
Brush up your Verdi… |
7 Oct 14 / Musical Toronto |
Gerald Finley is Falstaff |
7 Oct 14 / barczablog |
The revengers’ comedy |
7 Oct 14 / Opera Ramblings |
Falstaff: A comic masterpiece |
5 Oct 14 / The Globe and Mail |
Roberto DevereuxCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 4 |
The real star of "Roberto Devereux" was the music |
19 May 14 / The Examiner |
A dramatic tour de force |
8 May 14 / ConcertoNet (English) |
COC’s Roberto Devereux delivers with style, eventually |
28 Apr 14 / The Globe and Mail |
more reviews [+]
This absolutely thrilling production of Donizetti’s Roberto Devereux puts the “grand” back into “grand opera.” |
27 Apr 14 / The Toronto Star |
associated articles [+]
Sondra Radvanovsky tackles opera's Triple Crown
With Canadian Opera Company’s Roberto Devereux, opening April 25, Radvanovsky will have sung all three Donizetti queens, including Anna Bolena and Maria Stuarda.
With Canadian Opera Company’s Roberto Devereux, opening April 25, Radvanovsky will have sung all three Donizetti queens, including Anna Bolena and Maria Stuarda.
Don QuichotteCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 5 |
Don Quichotte is a compact classic |
15 May 14 / National Post |
Full of charm and delight |
15 May 14 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Canadian Opera Company puts on production of 'Don Quichotte' |
14 May 14 / The Examiner |
more reviews [+]
Don Quichotte a brilliant end to a satisfying COC season |
13 May 14 / La Scena Musicale (English) |
Don Quichotte redeemed by star Italian bass |
11 May 14 / The Toronto Star |
HerculesCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 5 |
A stirring achievement |
22 Apr 14 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Update of Handel’s opera about the far-reaching effects of war touches a universal chord |
10 Apr 14 / Now Toronto |
With Hercules, COC’s big idea doesn’t help an in-between opera |
10 Apr 14 / National Post |
more reviews [+]
Hercules: A vision of life and redemption |
8 Apr 14 / The Globe and Mail |
COC's Hercules sears the soul |
7 Apr 14 / The Toronto Star |
Un Ballo in MascheraCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 3 |
A bold reimagining of Verdi’s timeless opera of love and political intrigue |
6 Feb 14 / Now Toronto |
Un ballo in Tinseltown |
6 Feb 14 / ConcertoNet (English) |
A Masked Ball dazzles with spectacular singing |
5 Feb 14 / Broadway World |
Così fan tutteCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 3 |
Atom Egoyan schools opera audiences on love and fidelity |
22 Jan 14 / Digital Journal |
Così triumphs over directorial onslaught |
22 Jan 14 / ConcertoNet (English) |
The Canadian Opera Company mounts clash of concepts with Così fan tutte |
21 Jan 14 / National Post |
associated articles [+]
Atom Egoyan
‘I’d love to direct a comedy’
‘I’d love to direct a comedy’
Peter GrimesCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 4 |
A wonderful Britten centennial tribute |
9 Oct 13 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Anthony Dean Griffey, orchestra and chorus stunning in COC Peter Grimes |
9 Oct 13 / La Scena Musicale (English) |
Benjamin Britten’s tale of a troubled outsider gets a superb production by the Canadian Opera Company |
8 Oct 13 / Now Toronto |
more reviews [+]
What could have been a tragedy wound up as a triumph |
7 Oct 13 / The Toronto Star |
associated articles [+]
Ben Heppner returns in COC's Peter Grimes
Acclaimed Canadian tenor Ben Heppner was back in fine form Tuesday night, returning to the stage to star in Peter Grimes after having withdrawn from the opera's opening night performance.
Acclaimed Canadian tenor Ben Heppner was back in fine form Tuesday night, returning to the stage to star in Peter Grimes after having withdrawn from the opera's opening night performance.
Ben Heppner withdraws from opening of COC's Peter Grimes
Health reasons cited; American tenor Anthony Dean Griffey steps in for Peter Grimes.
Health reasons cited; American tenor Anthony Dean Griffey steps in for Peter Grimes.
Ben Heppner looks back on a life of opera
Star tenor, who opens in Peter Grimes for the Canadian Opera Company, still sees himself as the ‘lumpy guy from Toronto’.
Star tenor, who opens in Peter Grimes for the Canadian Opera Company, still sees himself as the ‘lumpy guy from Toronto’.
La bohèmeCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 2 |
An artistic view of the artist's life |
7 Oct 13 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Canadian Opera Company’s La Boheme keeps me dry-eyed, and that's not good |
5 Oct 13 / The Toronto Star |
associated articles [+]
David Lomeli withdraws from COC's La Bohème
Dimitri Pittas and Michael Fabiano to Replace David Lomeli in Canadian Opera Company's La Bohème.
Dimitri Pittas and Michael Fabiano to Replace David Lomeli in Canadian Opera Company's La Bohème.
Dialogues des CarmelitesCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 8 |
Simply marvelous |
24 May 13 / ConcertoNet (English) |
“A terrible beauty is born” |
17 May 13 / Stage Door |
One of the COC’s best productions |
16 May 13 / Now Toronto |
more reviews [+]
Two 20th-Century works that still shock and awe |
14 May 13 / Wall Street Journal |
Dialogues Of The Carmelites offers fear, faith, and grace |
11 May 13 / Digital Journal |
A masterful Dialogue |
11 May 13 / Toronto Sun |
Judith Forst, Adrianne Pieczonka and Isabel Bayrakdarian stunning in Canadian Opera Company production |
10 May 13 / The Toronto Star |
Dialogues des Carmélites: Its faults are redeemed by its intensity and power |
10 May 13 / The Globe and Mail |
SalomeCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 5 |
Two 20th-Century works that still shock and awe |
14 May 13 / Wall Street Journal |
Still a shocker |
2 May 13 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Salome soars |
25 Apr 13 / Now Toronto |
more reviews [+]
Salome survives the Egoyan touch |
24 Apr 13 / National Post |
Atom Egoyan’s Salome |
22 Apr 13 / The Toronto Star |
associated articles [+]
How opera singer Alan Held lost his head in Salome
Baritone who plays John the Baptist had gruesome replica of his head made for Canadian Opera Company production.
Baritone who plays John the Baptist had gruesome replica of his head made for Canadian Opera Company production.
Lucia di LammermoorCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 4 |
Spookily effective |
2 May 13 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Lucia di Lammermoor not yet worth the price of admission |
20 Apr 13 / National Post |
A bold vision gives new depth to this rich score |
19 Apr 13 / The Toronto Star |
more reviews [+]
Dark, claustrophobic, and highly enjoyable |
19 Apr 13 / The Globe and Mail |
La clemenza di TitoCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 5 |
Bliss and exasperation |
9 Feb 13 / ConcertoNet (English) |
The performances are superb |
6 Feb 13 / Mooney on theatre |
How the COC’s La Clemenza di Tito is like rooting for the Leafs (seriously) |
6 Feb 13 / National Post |
more reviews [+]
Fine performances make this imperfect production worthwhile |
5 Feb 13 / The Globe and Mail |
La clemenza di Tito sounds great but tough to watch |
4 Feb 13 / The Toronto Star |
associated articles [+]
Mezzo Isabel Leonard
Down-to-earth diva on the rise.
Down-to-earth diva on the rise.
Tristan und IsoldeCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 4 |
A special event indeed! |
4 Feb 13 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Tristan und Isolde is Wagner-riffic |
31 Jan 13 / National Post |
Musical perfection was in the air |
31 Jan 13 / The Globe and Mail |
more reviews [+]
A transcendent experience |
31 Jan 13 / The Toronto Star |
associated articles [+]
Peter Sellars brings Tristan und Isolde to the COC
The Canadian Opera Company has scored a major coup in bringing this world-renowned talent here to mount a new production of Wagner’s immense Tristan und Isolde.
The Canadian Opera Company has scored a major coup in bringing this world-renowned talent here to mount a new production of Wagner’s immense Tristan und Isolde.
Heppner makes a Wagnerian return with Tristan und Isolde
The new year can’t come fast enough — if only for Ben Heppner’s impassioned return to the Canadian Opera Company for the first time since the Clinton/Chrétien era.
The new year can’t come fast enough — if only for Ben Heppner’s impassioned return to the Canadian Opera Company for the first time since the Clinton/Chrétien era.
Die FledermausCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 6 |
Lúgubre producción escénica |
31 Jan 13 / Mundo Clásico (Spanish) |
A welcome return |
28 Oct 12 / ConcertoNet (English) |
You can’t suck the fun out of Die Fledermaus |
10 Oct 12 / National Post |
more reviews [+]
Psychoanalysis and an ominous batman add a couple of fascinating layers to well-known Strauss confection |
7 Oct 12 / Now Toronto |
COC's Fledermaus leaves you looking for Strauss |
6 Oct 12 / The Globe and Mail |
Die Fledermaus a rich, racy triumph |
5 Oct 12 / The Toronto Star |
Il TrovatoreCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 7 |
La casa por la ventana |
14 Nov 12 / Mundo Clásico (Spanish) |
A welcome return of Verdi’s great work |
13 Oct 12 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Voices, not the acting or staging, drive opera |
2 Oct 12 / The Toronto Star |
more reviews [+]
COC's Trovatore surpasses the libretto's limits |
2 Oct 12 / The Globe and Mail |
There’s plenty of lyricism and good singing in Verdi’s passionate opera but little stage drama |
2 Oct 12 / Now Toronto |
The Canadian Opera Complany’s Il Trovatore is thunderous |
2 Oct 12 / National Post |
A must-see for Opera fanatics |
1 Oct 12 / Toronto Sun |
associated articles [+]
Interview: Ramón Vargas
World-renowned tenor Ramón Vargas sails the high Cs in Il Trovatore.
World-renowned tenor Ramón Vargas sails the high Cs in Il Trovatore.
SemeleCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 5 |
Hot Handel |
17 May 12 / Now Toronto |
A perplexing show |
14 May 12 / ConcertoNet (English) |
The stage steals the show in the Canadian Opera Company’s Semele |
12 May 12 / National Post |
more reviews [+]
Opera production saved by spectacular music |
11 May 12 / The Toronto Star |
East and West meet as strangers in COC’s Semele |
11 May 12 / The Globe and Mail |
associated articles [+]
Sumo wrestlers recruited for Canadian opera
Talk about a couple of heavyweight performances: The Canadian Opera Company has cast two sumo wrestlers for its upcoming production of Semele.
Talk about a couple of heavyweight performances: The Canadian Opera Company has cast two sumo wrestlers for its upcoming production of Semele.
Gianni SchicchiCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 5 |
A winning pair |
14 May 12 / ConcertoNet (English) |
COC serves up a Florentine double bill |
1 May 12 / The Globe and Mail |
Double bills come in a few flavours... |
28 Apr 12 / National Post |
more reviews [+]
Two courses of Italian hit the spot |
28 Apr 12 / Toronto Sun |
A Florentine Tragedy tepid while Gianni Schicchi soars |
27 Apr 12 / The Toronto Star |
Eine florentinische TragödieCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 5 |
A winning pair |
14 May 12 / ConcertoNet (English) |
COC serves up a Florentine double bill |
1 May 12 / The Globe and Mail |
Double bills come in a few flavours... |
28 Apr 12 / National Post |
more reviews [+]
Two courses of Italian hit the spot |
28 Apr 12 / Toronto Sun |
A Florentine Tragedy tepid while Gianni Schicchi soars |
27 Apr 12 / The Toronto Star |
Les Contes d'HoffmannCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 6 |
Hoffmann’s visions come to life |
27 Apr 12 / ConcertoNet (English) |
The Canadian Opera Company production is a marvel to see and hear |
20 Apr 12 / Now Toronto |
The vocal delights were considerable |
12 Apr 12 / National Post |
more reviews [+]
Unfocused Hoffman still fine operatic entertainment |
12 Apr 12 / The Toronto Star |
Beautiful singing, but Tales of Hoffman are really musical sugar |
12 Apr 12 / The Globe and Mail |
Hoffmann stories great individually, but fail to come together into a whole |
12 Apr 12 / Toronto Sun |
associated articles [+]
For John Relyea, opera is a family affair
Samuel Johnson famously called opera “an exotic and irrational entertainment,” but there are a few people in the world who can also justifiably call it something else: the family business.
Samuel Johnson famously called opera “an exotic and irrational entertainment,” but there are a few people in the world who can also justifiably call it something else: the family business.
L'Amour de loinCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 5 |
Opera from the 21st Century |
7 Feb 12 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Love from Afar provides suspense by the sea |
4 Feb 12 / National Post |
Stunning COC production of Finnish composer’s opera a feast for the senses |
4 Feb 12 / Toronto Sun |
more reviews [+]
COC delivers a distant love letter from a medieval poet |
4 Feb 12 / The Globe and Mail |
Modern opera at its very best |
4 Feb 12 / The Toronto Star |
associated articles [+]
Kaija Saariaho gets lots of love for Love from Afar
Love from Afar, the most-performed opera from this young century, has proven to be a game-changer for composer Kaija Saariaho.
Love from Afar, the most-performed opera from this young century, has proven to be a game-changer for composer Kaija Saariaho.
ToscaCanadian Opera CompanyNo. of reviews: 4 |
La cosa vera! |
2 Feb 12 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Adrianne Pieczonka made a formidable impression as Tosca |
23 Jan 12 / National Post |
Simple telling of timeless tale highlights stunning performances, orchestration |
23 Jan 12 / Toronto Sun |
more reviews [+]
Adrianne Pieczonka’s Tosca the best thing in COC’s production of Puccini classic |
23 Jan 12 / The Toronto Star |
associated articles [+]
Tosca tumbles at Canadian Opera Company
Having sustained a knee injury in her death scene in the title role on Friday, Adrianne Pieczonka didn’t jump to her death Tuesday night at the Canadian Opera Company.
Having sustained a knee injury in her death scene in the title role on Friday, Adrianne Pieczonka didn’t jump to her death Tuesday night at the Canadian Opera Company.
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Performance schedule
Donizetti
26 Apr to 18 May 2024
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3 to 25 May 2024
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14 to 16 Jun 2024
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4 to 25 Oct 2024
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11 Oct to 2 Nov 2024
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24 Jan to 16 Feb 2025
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31 Jan to 15 Feb 2025
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25 Apr to 16 May 2025
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2 to 24 May 2025
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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 |