For Episode 7, “Turandot on Ice!”, we welcome back author and blogger Lydia Perovic, Opera Canada magazine’s editor, Wayne Gooding as well as opera journalist Joseph So. Gianmarco Segato, the COC’s Adult Programs Manager is your host.
We begin with the controversy surrounding La Scala's decision to open their season with Wagner instead of Verdi; we dissect the recent COC Ensemble Competition; we debate the merits of Giacomo Meyerbeer (“sublime!”… “totally forgettable!”) in light of the Royal Opera’s new Robert le Diable and, try not to get too flustered as we examine how opera companies are sexing up their seasons. We end the chat with a new feature: our summary of our favourite new recordings, live-stream productions and YouTube clips for the month!
This is the last Big COC Podcast for 2012. We’re taking a little break for the holidays and will be back in January. We wish you all the best of the season and a happy New Year!
Are you out there listening? Let us know by sending us your ideas/comments on Facebook, Twitter or by e-mail (community@coc.ca).
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Tristan und Isolde
What's it all about?
In Tristan und Isolde, two great enemies fall deeply in love as they unwittingly share a love potion, and, like all star-crossed relationships, their love ends tragically.
In this story, the princess Isolde has been abducted by Tristan to marry his uncle, King Marke. In his first attempt to abduct Isolde, Tristan killed her fiancé Morold and posed as a stranger to trick Isolde into healing his critical wounds. When Isolde discovered his identity and threatened to kill him, he swore to leave her alone. Unfortunately, Tristan quickly broke his promise and returned to carry her off to King Marke.
During their voyage, Isolde begs to speak with Tristan, plotting to poison him and each time he wisely refuses to meet with her. After repeatedly wishing vengeance on her captor, she finally gets a chance to meet him and the tables turn! Isolde demands that Tristan drink her secretly poisoned brew in an attempt to atone for his misdeeds, but unbeknownst to Isolde, her maiden Brangäne spikes their drink with a love potion instead. As the two now-lovers express their love for one another, they know their union will be short-lived and bleak, resulting in one of the best duets in all of opera.
Read more...
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It's the final week of the COC's Free Concert Series before we break for the holidays and it features a collection of music from a variety of genres and influences. Come to all three of the performances to experience something new or re-discover familiar favourites.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 - 12 p.m. - Artists of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra - Creative Explorations
In this noon-hour concert, the TSO Adopt-A-Player musicians and volunteers premiere a jointly composed work based on their experiences of being artist-educators. Inspired by Spanish music, the musicians and volunteers present variations on Spanish sounds, themes and rhythms, introducing the audience to some of the techniques used during the creative process. Blurring the lines between music and theatre, this performance is a fun and fascinating insight into the process of creative composition.
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Sara Fulgoni in the COC production of Bluebeard's Castle. Photo: Michael Cooper © 2001