Opera

Traviata (Courtesy of Chris Hutcheson/COC)

Themes of class and patriarchy in the classic opera ‘La Traviata’ still resonate today

One fancifully sinister scene in the Canadian Opera Company’s 2021-22 performance of ‘La Traviata’ encapsulates why we return to the opera time and time again

The real challenges of reviving a Louis Riel opera

The Canadian Opera Company has reworked a problematic opera about the story of Louis Riel. Does it succeed, all the same?

Mozart meets ‘Married At First Sight’: a fix for opera?

If we can have opera as funny and contemporary as ‘A Little Too Cozy’—’Cosi fan tutti,’ get it?—who needs Mozart at all?

Opera comes down from the mountain

Uncle John, an outdoorsy reinterpretation of ‘Don Giovanni’ in Banff, shows there’s hope yet for opera

The ‘fat shaming’ of Tara Erraught forces an issue in opera

The talented mezzo soprano received criticism for her body type, not her performance

From street singer to star soprano

A turn at the Met has made an opera superstar out of B.C.-born Simone Osborne

An opera nerd finds the dance floor

After a crackling European tour, Katie Stelmanis and her band—Austra—liven things up

‘The stupidest operas ever’

‘The stupidest operas ever’

His music is among classical’s best known, and best loved. Still, Verdi can’t seem to get our respect.

Getting fresh with classical music

Fifty Shades of Grey gets in on with classical music

10 did it for Boléro, now Fifty Shades is giving a 16th-century composition a bounce

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Wagner’s epic ‘Ring’ has defeated many directors, including Robert Lepage

Critics have been harsh over the Quebec director’s crack at the fantasy opera.

What’s next for opera houses? ‘Cats’?

What’s next for opera houses? ‘Cats’?

Musicals are making an appearance on opera stages: be careful what you pick.

The first recording of William Tell in 20 years

The first recording of William Tell in 20 years

Hardly anyone has heard the whole opera—well, except for the ‘Lone Ranger’ bit.