Jan Rubes, one of Canada's great talents, died today. Born in what is now the Czech Republic, Rubes came to Canada in 1948 where he became a member of the Opera Festival Company of Toronto, which became the COC. He became well known for his many, many bass roles, including Bluebeard, Boris, Figaro, and Kecal - 90 roles in all, singing along side some of the greatest singers in the world, including Joan Sutherland. He also ran the COC touring program from '74-'76 and directed at Stratford, the COC and Vancouver Opera.
He also had an enormous life off of the opera stage. He taught at Wilfrid Laurier, appeared in 36 movies (including "Witness" and "Snow Falling on Cedars,") dozens of TV shows (including the X-Files, ER, Stargate, and Due South,) the president of the Family Channel, and was the National Seniors Tennis Champion. Order of Canada, Genie awards, Queen's Jubilee Medal winner. Amazing.
He was an amazing talent, one I sadly never got to meet. He leaves behind a footprint the size of which won't be filled soon and his influence on so many singers of the current and previous generation is undeniable.
No cause of death was given. (UPDATE: It is being reported as a stroke.)
Jan Rubes in Witness (sorry, no singing clips available):
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Dora Award winners announced
The Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts held their Dora Awards last night. The Outstanding Opera Production award, where the COC had four out of the five noms, was given to War and Peace, and the Outstanding New Musical/Opera Category went to the amazing Sacntuary Song who could have just as easily taken the Best Opera category. Paolo Gavanelli took the Outstanding Performance in an opera award for his appearance in Simon Boccanegra. A pretty good year for opera in Toronto, when you look at it! The full list of winners should be up on the TAPA website later today.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Opera Birthday
Sort of. It's Antoine de Saint Exupéry's birthday (or would be if he hadn't gone missing in WWII.) He just happens to be the writer of the story of one of my favourite operas of the last ten years, Portman's The Little Prince. Enjoy!
The More Things Change....
From TIME magazine:
"Singer, musician and stage official will have ten minutes of leisure. During those minutes the singer, musician or stage official smokes a cigarette, and is a picture of negligent loafing. He tells stories among his fellows, plays pranks and howls with laughter. Seemingly, he is constitutionally incapable of effort. But you may see him glance at the clock, and move quickly away. The clock is the slave-driver. Everything moves by exact timing. On the minute the singer hurries backstage for a rehearsal, the assistant conductor to play the organ or direct the trumpets behind the scenes, the stage official to give the signal for the curtain or the descent of the dove or the collapse of the temple. The amount of work done, especially by the men who coach the singers, lead the orchestra and direct the details of production, is enormous, and they are driven with precision and discipline that, with all the air of ease around the opera house, is nerve racking."
May 5, 1923 but it could just as easily be today. The article also talks about the new Met house to be built, and a Metropolitan Opera profit of $200,000 a year - a huge sum of money for the time. I just thought that it made for interesting reading.
"Singer, musician and stage official will have ten minutes of leisure. During those minutes the singer, musician or stage official smokes a cigarette, and is a picture of negligent loafing. He tells stories among his fellows, plays pranks and howls with laughter. Seemingly, he is constitutionally incapable of effort. But you may see him glance at the clock, and move quickly away. The clock is the slave-driver. Everything moves by exact timing. On the minute the singer hurries backstage for a rehearsal, the assistant conductor to play the organ or direct the trumpets behind the scenes, the stage official to give the signal for the curtain or the descent of the dove or the collapse of the temple. The amount of work done, especially by the men who coach the singers, lead the orchestra and direct the details of production, is enormous, and they are driven with precision and discipline that, with all the air of ease around the opera house, is nerve racking."
May 5, 1923 but it could just as easily be today. The article also talks about the new Met house to be built, and a Metropolitan Opera profit of $200,000 a year - a huge sum of money for the time. I just thought that it made for interesting reading.
Friday, June 26, 2009
New Art Song Podcast
Pianist Erika Switzer and Soprano Marth Guth have launched a podcast (songcast!) that takes a look at art song from both a singer and pianist perspective. It sounds like there will be some great performances as well as insightful discussions on the genre, interviews, and more, updated every two weeks. Check it out at Sparks and Wiry Cries via one of my favourites The Collaborative Piano Blog
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Measha Brueggergosman's emergency heart surgery
The CBC is reporting that Measha Brueggergosman underwent open heart surgery last week immediately after a tear in her aorta was diagnosed in Toronto. The cause in her case was not revealed but causes can range from congenital defect to extended history of hypertension. She's been ordered to rest for a month but plans to perform at the Shaw festival on August 9th though she has (understandably!) had to cancel dates with the TSO and also a Progy and Bess in Graz over the next month. Here's hoping for a speedy recovery!
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