Parlando: The COC Blog

This afternoon will mark the very first time that John Adams' landmark work Nixon in China is performed at the COC. Of all the operas in our season, this one is possibly the most likely to be unfamiliar. Here are some ways to prepare: 

Watch this video of conductor Pablo Heras-Casado talking about what makes John Adams' music interesting: 

Some other things: 

• Read the synopsis
• Read the Director's Notes
• Participate in our book club
• Look at the production photos
• Sample the music in the Listening Guide
• Read John Adams' interview in the Globe and Mail
• Read Robert Orth's interview in IN Toronto
• Read this interview with Robert Orth and John Adams in the Toronto Star
  
• Read the entries on Nixon in China in Parlando

When you've seen the performance, let us know what you thought! 

• twitter: Our twitter account is @CanadianOpera
• Facebook: comment on our discussion thread
• Leave a comment here or on Alexander Neef's blog
• Email me at cecilyc@coc.ca

First, the video: 

Our newest book club question includes this quote from Margaret MacMillan's book Nixon in China about how image-focused and television-ready the events of the visit were: 

. . . The handshakes, the glasses raised in toasts, the American flag flying in Beijing; Nixon with Mao, Nixon on the Great Wall, at the Forbidden City or in the Great Hall of the People; Mrs. Nixon at a model farm, in a kitchen, kindergarten or factory. The images flowed back to the United States, targeted for prime-time evening television . . . The stage management of the trip was superb, and it was obsessive in its attention to detail. The advance parties had checked out virtually every site Nixon would visit, paced out the steps he might take and planned every camera angle.

Read more...

The Magic Flute opens this weekend, and we're all anticipating a fantastic opening night. Here's what you can do to get ready: 

• Read the Director's Notes by Diane Paulus.
• Watch the new video trailer (on this page, click "Watch a Video Clip").
• Listen to musical excerpts and our podcasts.
• Look at the production photos and design sketches.
• Read the interviews with Diane Paulus: National Post, Toronto Star, Canadian Press.
• Watch this CBC video interview with Simone Osborne.
• Read blog posts about The Magic Flute on Parlando.

And if/when you see the production, report back and let us know what you thought!

• For twitterers: we'll be tweeting under the hashtag #MagicFluteCOC (our twitter account is @CanadianOpera). 
• For Facebookers: we'll have a discussion going on our Facebook page. 
• And, as always, feel free to leave a comment here on Parlando or on Alexander Neef's blog.

And, of course, toi toi toi to the artists, creative team, and crew!