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Browsing: Interviews

Art of Time Ensemble: The Soldier’s Tale For Today

By Justin Bernard on 2 February 2026 Canadian Music, Contemporary, Interviews, Vocal

Sankofa refers to a mythical bird prevalent in West African culture, usually portrayed with its feet pointing forward and its head leaning backwards. In the Twi language of Ghana, the word itself best translates as “to go back and retrieve what was forgotten”—a symbol that certainly appeals to Black communities reclaiming heritage and knowledge of a time when they were deemed lesser humans. Sankofa, The Soldier’s Tale Retold, the new Leaf Music release by Andrew Burashko and the Art of Time Ensemble, tells the story of a Black man who enlisted in the Canadian army during the First World War.…

Thirteen Strings. Photo: Anastasia Krachkovskaya

Thirteen Strings: 50 Years in the Community

By Kaitlyn Chan on 2 February 2026 Canadian Music, Chamber Music, Classical Music, Interviews, Ottawa, Strings

Founded in 1976 by conductor Brian Law and string players from the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Thirteen Strings Chamber Orchestra celebrates 50 years of music-making this year. The 13 string players, accompanied by highly-acclaimed guests, present an innovative anniversary season, featuring new commissions and collaborations with friends of the orchestra. A proud member of the Ottawa community, Thirteen Strings keeps its local impact—and plans to build even stronger connections—the focus of its 2025-26 anniversary season. Last season, the orchestra moved to a more democratic leadership model with a committee of principal players, some board members, and Executive and Artistic Director…

Adam Johnson, chef.

Orchestre symphonique de Laval: A Concert in the Spirit of Friendship

By Justin Bernard on 2 February 2026 Interviews, Piano, Romantic

For its upcoming concert, Orchestre symphonique de Laval (OSL) promises a wonderful reunion. Newly-appointed Music Director Adam Johnson, named to the post last August, will welcome none other than pianist Stéphane Lemelin—his former mentor at the University of Alberta—for what is anticipated to be a moment of rare communion at the piano, their shared instrument. It is uncommon to witness two artists engage with such deep understanding that the interviewer quietly steps aside, allowing their exchange to flow unimpeded. Their dialogue reveals a rapport that clearly transcends the musical domain. The connection between Johnson and Lemelin dates back to April…

Kerry-Anne Kutz, Julie Leblanc, Monique Fauteux and Catherine Léveillé of Quatuor Musaïque

Festival de la Voix: Montreal’s Celebration of the Voice

By Kaitlyn Chan on 2 February 2026 Baroque and Early, Canadian Music, Classical, Contemporary, Interviews, Montreal, Vocal, Vocal Jazz

Vox Aeterna was founded in 2008 to foster the vocal arts scene in and around Montreal, encouraging the growth of vocal concerts and educational opportunities. Four years later, the charitable organization created Festival de la Voix with these same principles in mind. The multi-week festival introduces audiences to professional vocalists from various backgrounds, cultures and musical styles. Discovering Beautiful Voices Artistic Director Kerry-Anne Kutz’s well-trained ear makes her an excellent judge of talent. “The first thing that I think about—no matter what the genre—is the beauty of the voice,” she says about programming. From established artists such as soprano Myriam…

Photo: Hilary Gauld/One for the Wall (left) and Tam Photography (right)

Andrei Feher: Leadership that Listens

By Heather Weinreb on 2 February 2026 Arts Industry, Chamber Music, Classical Music, Interviews, Montreal, Orchestral

Andrei Feher knows something about the importance of cultural accessibility. The conductor, now musical director of Orchestre Classique de Montréal (OCM), spent the first 13 years of his life in the provincial city of Satu Mare, Romania. Despite its modest size, his hometown boasted a vibrant cultural scene. “There was a theatre company, a symphonic orchestra, and the city has about 100,000 inhabitants,” he says. “Especially in Europe, we often see that no matter the size of the city, there is something very central—whether it’s theatre, opera, or orchestra. Something that truly sits at the heart of the city.” With…

NYO Canada at Symphony SPLASH! (2025). Photo: Kevin Light Photography

National Youth Orchestra of Canada: Facing Change with Transparency

By Kaitlyn Chan on 2 February 2026 Education, Interviews, Orchestral, Toronto

In early November, the National Youth Orchestra of Canada (NYO Canada) announced a necessary restructuring of their summer training program, transitioning to a four-week intensive format from its previous five-week schedule. After assessing their financial situation, the national organization saw a need to pull back in some areas to ensure long-term financial stability. “Rather than driving ourselves right off the cliff, we can see the cliff in sight,” says CEO Christie Gray. “Now it’s time to kind of slow down and say, ‘Let’s scale back a little bit for the sake of organizational health, run a balanced budget, and live…

Diana Rockwell. Photo: Angela Gzowski

VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert: Young Artists Shine in Little-Known Gems

By Emma Yee on 2 February 2026 Interviews, Opera, Toronto, Vocal

VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert’s spring season will feature two rarely-performed works by beloved composers: Bellini’s La sonnambula and Kurt Weill’s Lost in the Stars. The company, founded in 1974 by beloved opera coach and radio personality Stuart Hamilton, has a mission to feature young Canadian singers in non-standard repertoire. “We feature these singers in major roles,” says Artistic Director Guillermo Silva-Marin, “and hopefully the repertoire protects them because there is no rule of comparison. No Plácido Domingo has done it, no Luciano Pavarotti has done it—so that is an advantage for us in featuring young singers and enhancing their potential…

View of the Old Quebec City, with its many levels and stairs. Photo: Hugo Laporte

Cityscapes | Quebec City, Que.

By Justin Bernard on 2 February 2026 Art of Living, Interviews, Quebec City

Welcome to Cityscapes From coast to coast, Canada offers magnificent natural landscapes and culturally diverse cities. In this issue, we highlight Quebec City’s inspiring locations, music and arts scene, and unique neighbourhoods. We invited two local artists to tell us what they love most about the provincial capital. Hugo Laporte A native of Quebec City, baritone Hugo Laporte is also co-founding vice-president of the Réunion des opéras du Québec, whose mission is to contribute to the development and sustainability of opera in Quebec by promoting collaboration among stakeholders in the field. In 2023, he made his debut at Milan’s Teatro…

George Krissa (Shakespeare) and Company in & Juliet. Photo: Dahlia Katz

George Krissa: Toronto’s Musical Theatre Heartthrob

By Emma Yee on 2 February 2026 Interviews, Musical Theatre, Theatre, Toronto, Vocal

If you’ve taken the TTC or walked around downtown Toronto any time from last May until now, chances are high that you’ve seen a poster featuring George Krissa. The Saskatchewan-born actor has had a busy season. He played the dashing rogue Anatole in the Crow’s Theatre and Musical Stage Company co-production of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 in its Mirvish transfer this past summer. He was also the romantic Jimmy Ray Dobbs, in the Garner Theatre Productions and Mirvish co-production of Bright Star this fall—and now, until May 31, he will appear in the reimagined William Shakespeare…

Jaclyn Grossman. Photo: Jessica Osber; Miriam Khalil. Photo: Shayne Gray Photography

Preview | Jaclyn Grossman and Miriam Khalil Present Salam-Shalom: Echoes of Home

By Kaitlyn Chan on 21 November 2025 Contemporary, Interviews, Vancouver, Vocal, West

In Vancouver on Nov. 29, sopranos Jaclyn Grossman and Miriam Khalil will present Salam-Shalom: Echoes of Home. This program of Arabic and Jewish music explores how these two distinct cultures are intertwined through shared histories, human experiences, and sounds. They will be accompanied by pianist Gordon Gerrard, artistic director of City Opera Vancouver. Both performers emphasize their eagerness to embrace this learning opportunity. “Right out of the gate, we both [agreed] let’s not do ‘I’m doing my thing, and you’re doing your thing,’” says Grossman. “Let’s share in each other’s music and cultures in this concert.” A Jewish singer and…