I am on way to Pearson Airport. However, this time I am not going anywhere, but I'm picking up my wife and daughter returning from a vacation in Paris.

These past days have been increasingly busy. We had the piano dress rehearsal of The Flying Dutchman on Saturday night, followed by two stage and orchestra rehearsals on Monday and Tuesday. To me, Christopher Alden's production, which we have done in 1996 and 2000, belongs in the same category as Brian Macdonald's production of Madama Butterfly. A timeless COC classic. We have a fantastic cast led by Evgeny Nikitin (watch out for him on youtube, you will be surprised) and Julie Makerov. In the pit, our new Music Director Johannes Debus is already creating a lot of excitement with his truly modern vision of conducting Wagner's music. There will be one more stage and orchestra rehearsal and a dress rehearsal before we open on April 24th.

Maria Stuarda had its final run-through in the rehearsal room on Sunday evening and it will be on stage for a piano rehearsal tonight. The COC has rarely done bel canto operas and I am looking forward to our performances. Of course, this kind of music lives and dies with the quality of singing and I am proud to say that we have assembled a stunning group of bel canto specialists. Our Stuarda will be a vocal feast.