Join us for an enchanting encounter with Arianna Maubach, the mezzo-soprano sensation who captured hearts and won accolades at the Canadian Opera Company's Center Stage Competition. Arianna takes us on a fascinating journey from her beginnings in a non-musical family to her discovery of a love for singing with the Toronto Children's Chorus. Despite having family in law and entrepreneurship, her passion was nurtured through rigorous training, leading her to the prestigious Royal Conservatory of Music and a Bachelor’s degree at the Eastman School of Music. Arianna reflects on her mentors who were pivotal in shaping her early musical education and career.

As we chat with Arianna, she paints a vivid picture of her preparations for the COC competition performance, sharing insights from her collaboration with music luminaries like Wendy Nielsen and Liz Upchurch. The episode peeks into Arianna’s meticulous aria selection process and her spellbinding experience performing under Maestro Debus, with the goal of savoring each moment on stage. With an ongoing residency at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, Arianna’s aspirations are soaring towards future engagements. Listen as she shares her excitement about upcoming performances, her exploration of new roles, and her burning desire to refine her craft while expanding her repertoire.

All episodes of The Opera Glasses podcast are hosted by the editor of Opera Canada, currently Michael Jones after Elizabeth Bowman hosted seasons 1 and 2. Follow Opera Canada on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Visit OperaCanada.ca for all of your Canadian Opera news and reviews.

Join us for a heartfelt episode of the Opera Glasses podcast as Elizabeth Bowman hosts her final show and introduces the new Editorial Director of Opera Canada, Michael Jones. With an impressive career spanning from Choirs Ontario to the Saskatchewan Arts Board, Michael shares how his first live opera experience with Britten's “Death in Venice” ignited a lifelong passion. We discuss his vision for Opera Canada, his excitement for upcoming productions, and how his background uniquely positions him to lead this esteemed publication.

In a tribute to Opera Canada's rich history, we explore the vital role of the magazine's archival efforts in preserving the nation’s operatic legacy. Michael reveals plans to incorporate historical material into future editions, making opera more accessible and engaging for both enthusiasts and researchers. This episode is a blend of nostalgia, gratitude, and forward-looking optimism—truly a must-listen for any opera aficionado.

All episodes of The Opera Glasses podcast are hosted by the editor of Opera Canada, currently Michael Jones after Elizabeth Bowman hosted seasons 1 and 2. Follow Opera Canada on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Visit OperaCanada.ca for all of your Canadian Opera news and reviews.

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is presenting a reimagined take on Poul Ruders's The Handmaid's Tale, a work-in-progress based on Margaret Atwood’s sobering novel. Composer Dan Scholsberg was commissioned to arrange the work for chamber ensemble using different technologies to evoke Gilead. The hope is for this arrangement to be used by more arts companies across the globe.

All episodes of The Opera Glasses podcast are hosted by the editor of Opera Canada, currently Michael Jones after Elizabeth Bowman hosted seasons 1 and 2. Follow Opera Canada on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Visit OperaCanada.ca for all of your Canadian Opera news and reviews.