Review: Rossini’s Otello

Posted on by

Last night I watched a concert presentation of Rossini’s Otello from Opera by Request, a company who demonstrate their importance with every outing.

…The prolific Rossini, one of the quickest composers in history, who premiered three operas in 1816, and four the next year likely didn’t agonize over his work the way Boito and Verdi did. Does it matter that the story has been changed? Does it matter that some of the music in the scene where Otello murders Desdemona resembles music we hear in Barber of Seville, composed earlier the same year?  Not when the goal is a virtuoso display of vocal fireworks.

– Leslie Barcza,
barczablog

Thank you to Leslie Barcza for this insightful and supportive review of our most recent performance. Read the full review here.

Rossini: Otello

Posted on by

Opera by Request presents Rossini’s Otello, in concert with piano accompaniment, Saturday, June 24th, 7:30pm, College St. United Church, 452 College St. (Bathurst). All tickets $20.00. Phone 416-455-2365 for reservations and additional information.

Otello…………………..Paul Williamson, tenor
Rodrigo………………..Ernesto Ramirez, tenor
Iago…………………….Dillon Parmer, tenor
Desdemona……………Meagan Reimer, mezzo-soprano
Elmiro………………….Dylan Wright, bass-baritone
Emilia………………….Abigail Veestra, soprano
Doge/Gondolier………Francis Domingue, tenor

William Shookhoff, pianist and music director

Donizetti: L’elisir d’amore

Posted on by

Opera by Request presents Donizeitt’s L’elisir d’amore, in concert with piano accompaniment, Friday, June 9th, 7:30pm, College St. United Church, 452 College St. (Bathurst). All tickets $20.00. Phone 416-455-2365 for reservations and additional information.

Giannetta………………………….Brittany Stewart, soprano
Nemorino………………………….Alvaro Vasquez Roble, tenor
Dulcamara…………………………Douglas Tranquada, bass-baritone
Belcore……………………………..Sebastian Belcourt, baritone
Adina………………………………..Diana DiMauro, mezzo-soprano

Claire Harris, pianist and music director

Madonnaizetti: A Musical Mash-Up

Posted on by

Opera by Request presents Madonnaizetti: A Musical Mash-Up, in concert with piano accompaniment, Saturday, June 3rd, 7:30pm, College St. United Church, 452 College St. (Bathurst). All tickets $20.00. Phone 416-455-2365 for reservations and additional information.

There will be something for everyone at this mixed-genre concert, featuring:

Cara Lianne McLeod, soprano
Erin Armstrong, mezzo-soprano
Ernesto Ramirez, tenor
John Holland, baritone
Stacie McGregor, piano
William Shookhoff, piano

Program

John Holland Some Enchanted Evening

Erin Armstrong I Eat Children

Madonna…
Cara McLeod Promise to Try (Madonna)
Erin Evita song

Love coming in and out of our lives…
Cara Un bel di
Ernesto Ramirez Donna non vidi mai
Ernesto & Cara Parigi o cara (desperation/hope/love)

John Vodnik aria from Rusalka
Erin Rusalka aria

John, Ernesto & Cara Cosi fan tutte trio (despair and heartbreak)

Intermission

Magic
Cara Serendipity (mystery, life lessons)
Erin Aria from Ballo

Infidelity/-zetti
John Catalogue aria
Cara Vivi ingrato (love lost – letting go)
Ernesto Non puedo ser – La tabernera del puerto

Should I stay or should I go?
Ernesto Despedida (Maria Grever) (I am afraid to leave you)
Cara Stay
John & Ernesto The Pearl Fishers Duet

Ernesto & Cara Musica proibita (forbidden song of love)

Caught in the Act!  (three one-act monologues)

Posted on by

Opera by Request presents Caught in the Act! (three one-act monologues), in concert with piano accompaniment, Saturday, April 29th, 7:30pm, College St. United Church, 452 College St. (Bathurst). All tickets $20.00. Phone 416-455-2365 for reservations and additional information.

The Stronger

Hugo Weisgall (1952)
libretto by Richard Hart, from the play by August Strindberg

Sharon Tikiryan (soprano)……..Estelle
Meghan Symon…………………..Lisa

Six Monologues from Everyman (Jedermann)

Frank Martin (1943)
libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal from his morality play, first performed, 1911

Michael Robert-Broder (baritone)

Bon Appétit!

Lee Hoiby  (1989)
text by Julia Child, adapted by Mark Shulgasser

Meghan Symon, mezzo-soprano

As a sequel to the final monologue, chocolate cake will be served following the performance.  Gluten-free and lactose-free options are available.