Between the final rehearsals for Nixon in China and the first few performances of The Magic Flute, the COC embarked on a new initiative this week, a partnership with the recently created Health Arts Society of Ontario (HASO). Following the example of already existing organizations in Quebec and British Columbia, HASO is a not-for-profit organization that organizes (free) concerts for the residents of retirement homes, in Toronto for the moment, but hopefully all over the province very soon. Together with the TSO we are acting as the artistic mentors of the Society and I was very proud that five singers of our Magic Flute cast, Aline Kutan, Simone Osborne, Lisa di Maria, Frédéric Antoun and Rodion Pogossov, as well as our Music Director Johannes Debus (acting as accompanist and master of ceremonies) had agreed to participate in the launching event at Castleview Whychwood Towers. It was humbling and gratifying to see how much the residents enjoyed our little concert with excerpts from The Magic Flute. I am grateful to HASO and its founder David Lemon for this initiative that allows us to bring our art to people who can't come to us any more. Hopefully, HASO will be as successful here as her sister organizations in Quebec and BC.

Tomorrow at 4:30pm we open our production of Nixon in China.