Upcoming Performances May 2013

The last few weeks have been very full with preparations for several upcoming events, two of which I'll mention in today's post: University Settlement Music & Arts School's Spring Faculty Concert and a one-night only performance of The Ballad of Baby Doe, produced by Opera by Request.

The Annual Spring Faculty Favourites fundraising concert takes place at St. George the Martyr Church in Grange Park on Friday May 10th at 7:30 pm. Admission is pay-what-you-can and proceeds go towards the programs and services offered by University Settlement.  I'll be performing in collaboration with several of my colleagues including the talented Rob Carroll guitarist and Paul Crocker, jazz pianist. We'll present some pieces by the Cuban composer Leo Brouwer, as well as a concert premiere of a solo from the new musical Robin Hood: The Legendary Musical Comedy, by the Toronto-based songwriting pair Hutton and MacMillian.  Robin Hood received some rave reviews during its recent run at Hart House Theatre. Click here to find out more.

The next evening, Saturday May 11th, I'll be performing in a one-night only show of The Ballad of Baby Doe, an American opera set in the Wild West during the mining rush of the late 1800's. There's an epic love triangle at the centre of this plot, based on the ture story of Horarce Tabor.  I'm really excited to be doing this project as some of the very first opera repertorie I ever sang included an excerpt from this opera. It's quite scandulous and rip roaring fun. In a bit of a departure for Opera by Request, we will be doing this staged and without scores.  Chorus support will be provided by the fine Annex Singers of Toronto. Tickets are available from yours truly, or at the door. To read more about this Opera by Request production, please click here.

Cheers,

Michelle

ps- I'm still working on the previously mentioned recording project - slightly delayed by ungrading to a new Operating System ... oh computers!