Assitant Editeur
Philip Anson

Adresse/Address
5411 Waverly,
Montreal, Quebec
CANADA, H2T 2X8
(514)274-0465/
Fax: 274-9456
email:chanw@ere.umontreal.ca
Web: http://www.scena.org/

La Scena Vocale, publiee dix fois par annee, est consacree au plaisir de la musique vocale. Chaque numero contient un calendrier de concerts, conferences, films emissions sur le chant ainsi que des critiques et des articles sur des chanteurs.

La Scena Vocale is dedicated to the enjoyment of vocal music. It is published ten times a year. Readers will find listings of live concerts, conferences, films, broadcasts as well as articles on singers and reviews.

Prochain numéro /  Next Issue
Le 15 mars 1997/ March 15, 1997

Date limite/Deadline:
Le 28 février / February 28th.

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Circulation 4000 copies

Publicité / Advertising
Appeler pour les tarifs publicitaires. Rabais spéciaux pour les groupes artistiques.
Ask for our advertising rates. Special discount for arts groups.

Ver: 1997-01-30
© Wah Keung Chan

Dans ce numéro / In this Issue

Calendrier jusqu'au 15 mars

New York, New York

Opera on Campus

Calendrier / Calendar

Montréal / Québec

Février / February

1, 6 Concert Bénéfice pour la fondation de l'Hôpital de Montreal pour Enfants, Céline Giangi, soprano, Françoise Gadbois, pianiste, Derek Yaple-Schobert, pianiste, extraits d'opéras et mélodies, piano solo et duo, Salle Tudor, Magasin Ogilvy (5e étage), 1307, rue Ste-Catherine O., 13h30, 15$ (reçu d'impôts), 284-1219

1 Bellini: I Puritani
Live from the Metropolitain Opera
13h30-17h, Radio CBC-FM, SRC-FM.

1 Bach et Schutz: Magnificat
L'Ensemble vocal d'Outremont et son orchestre, Andrei Bedros, dir.
Église St-Germain d'Outremont, 28 av. Vincent d'Indy, 20h, 12$, 286-9094

2 Théatre d'art lyrique de Laval
Yves Lortie, baryton
mini-concert, Centre de création artistique de Laval, 1565, boul. St-Martin ouest, Laval, 12h, 975-8685, 6,50$, croissant, brioche, fruit et café seront servis.

2 Palestrina: Missa Ut re mi fa sol la
Studio de Musique Ancienne de Montréal, Christopher Jackson, dir.
Saint-Léon de Westmount Church, 15h, 28$-10$, 861-2626

2 Schubert: La belle meunière
Alain Major, basse-baryton
Anne-Marie Denoncourt, piano
Stuart Hall, 176, rue Lakeshore, Pointe-Claire, 20h, gratuit/free, 630-1220

2 Nora Sourouzian, mezzo
Gregory Chaverdgian, piano
avec violoniste
Mozart, Tchiakovsky, Brahms, chanson classique Armenian
Salle Marie-Stephan, Vincent d'Indy, 20h, 15$/20$
3 Début, série pour jeunes artistes
Auditions publiques, Voix
Chapelle du Bon-Pasteur, 13h-17h
872-5338

4, 5 Concert Opéra Italien
Verdi, Puccini, Catalani
Rebecca Copley, soprano,
Elio Boncompagni, chef, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, SWP, PdA, 19h30, 15-35$, 842-2112

4, 7 Verdi: Rigoletto (film), English version from the English National Opera, Operamania, Fac. de musique, Univ. de Montréal, salle B-421, 19h30, 5$, 343-6427

4 Schönberg: Pierrot Lunaire
Ingrid Schmithüsen, soprano
McGill Contemporary Music Ensemble, Denys Bouliane, dir.
Salle Pollack, 20h, 398-4547

5 Récital: Classe de Yoland Parent, Faculté de musique, Univ. de Montréal, B-484, 20h, 343-6427

6 Concert Bénéfice (voir le 1)
Céline Giangi, soprano, Françoise Gadbois, pianiste, Derek Yaple-Schobert, pianiste, Salle Tudor, Magasin Ogilvy (5e étage), 17h30, 15$ (reçu d'impôts), 284-1219

7 Ingrid Schmithusen, soprano
Marc Couroux, piano
Lieder by Schönberg Webern and Berg, McGill Guest Series, Pollack Hall, 20h, 398-4547

8 Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro
Live from the Metropolitain Opera
13h30-17h32, Radio

10 "Souper à Chenonceaux"
Odette Beaupré, Natalie Choquette, Ensemble contemporain de Montréal, dir. Véronique Lacroix, Maison de la culture Frontenac, 872-7882, entrée libre

11, 14 Verdi: Rigoletto film-historique de l'Opera de Rome (1947), Operamania, Fac. de musique, Univ. de Montréal, salle B-421, 19h30, 5$, 343-6427

14 Haydn: Messe Saint-Nicholas etc
Ch¦ur Saint-Laurent
Meredith Hall, soprano
Mary Ann McCormack, mezzo
Paul Moore, ténor
Nathaniel Watson, basse
Iwan Edwards, chef
Ensemble Amati
Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste, 20h, 20$, 15$, 10$, 483-6922
14 Les Idées heureuses
Concert R.S.V.P.
Daniel Taylor, alto, Karina Gauvin, soprano, Salle Redpath Hall, 20h, 20$, 843-5881

14 "Souper à Chenonceaux" (voir le 10)Théatre John Rennie, 20h, 630-1220, 10-5$

15 Verdi: La Forza del Destino
Live from the Metropolitain Opera
13h30-17h15, Radio CBC-FM, SRC-FM.

15, 17, 20, 22, 26, Mars 1
Verdi: Rigoletto
Mark Delavan, Jane Giering-De Haan, Jianyi Zhang, Raymond Aceto, Jean Stillwell, Mark Flint, chef, Opéra de Montréal, SWP, Place des Arts, 20h, 25-89.50$, 985-2258

16 Voix solo, émotions en trio
Aline Kutan, soprano colorature, André Moisan, clarinette et Louise-Andrée Baril, piano, Son et Brioches, Jeunesses Musicales du Canada, Piano nobile de la Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, 11h, 5$, 842-2112

16 Récital: Classe de France Dion, Faculté de musique, Univ. de Montréal, B-484, 14h30, 343-6427

16 Kozmik Vocal Ensemble, Bob Harvey, dir., "Sunday Evening Music at St. Mark's"St. Mark's church - 865 Lakeshore Drive, Dorval, 19h00, 10$-7$

18 Récital: Classe de Jane Randolph, Faculté de musique, Univ. de Montréal, B-484, 17h30, 343-6427

18 Récital: Classe de Gail Desmarais, Faculté de musique, Univ. de Montréal, B-484, 19h30, 343-6427

18, 19 Mendelssohn: Elijah
Iwan Edwards, dir.,
McGill Symphony Orchestra and Choirs, Pollack Hall, 20h, 2,50$, 398-4547

19 "Souper à Chenonceaux" (voir le 10) Salle Dina-Bélanger, Québec, 20h, (418) 687-9250, 25-20$

21, 22 Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana et Wolf-Ferrari: Le secret de Suzanne
Le Théatre d'art Lyrique de Laval
Roger Lessard, dir.
salle Claude-Potvin de l'école Curé-Antoine-Labelle, 216, boul. Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, Laval, 20h, 17$, 13$, 975-8685

22 Berg: Wozzeck
Live from the Metropolitain Opera
13h30-15h46, Radio

22 Le Livreur de Coeur, Opéra pour jeune public (6-12 ans)
Chapelle du Bon-Pasteur, 14h,
872-5338

22 "Divertisments" at Christ Church Cathedral, songs by Schubert and Brahms, Winston Purdy, baritone, Eugene Plawutsky, piano, Christ Church Cathedral, 17h, free will offering, 843-6577

23 Choeur Allemand "Deutscher Chor Montreal", dir. Karl-Heinz Pees, Bach, Beethoven, Schubert
Musée du Chateau Ramezay
280 Notre-Dame Est, 13h30, 14h30, 15h30, 5$/3$, 861-3708

23 Gala concert, The Professional Association of Teachers of Singing "NATS International Chapitre Montreal", winners of the Student Vocal Festival 1996and candidates of the NATS Artist Awards competition for young singers (USA): Anthony Flynn, Joseph Kaiser, Louise Marcotte, Shannon Mercer, Michael Meraw, Leslie Michaels, Terence Mierau, Julie Ann Nesrallah, Jeffrey Thompson, Église Erskine and American (coin du Musée), 15h, 5$, 484-5407.

23 Les Chantres Musiciens
Gilbert Patenaude, chef de ch¦ur
Chapelle du Bon-Pasteur, 15h30
872-5338

25 "Souper à Chenonceaux" (voir le 10) Salle Pierre-Mercure, 20h, 987-6919, 20-14$

26 Récital: Classe de Gail Desmarais, Faculté de musique, Univ. de Montréal, B-484, 19h30, 343-6427

27,28, Mars 1,6,7,8
Gilbert &Sullivan: Patience
Lakeshore Light Opera, John XXIII Theatre, Dorval, 8$-15$,636-1189

27 "Souper à Chenonceaux" (voir le 10) Auditorium Dufour, Chicoutimi, 20h, (418)549-3910, 23-15-5$

28 Récital: Classe de Yoland Parent, Faculté de musique, Univ. de Montréal, B-484, 17h, 343-6427

Mars / March

1 Verdi: Aida
Live from the Metropolitain Opera 13h30-17h28, Radio CBC-FM, SRC-FM.

6 Catherine Robbin, mezzo-soprano
Michael McMahon, piano
CBC/McGill, Salle Pollack Hall, 19h30, 12$,8$, 398-4547

7,8,9, 15,16
Poulenc: Dialogues des Carmélites, Atélier d'Université de Montréal, 343-6427

8 Britten: Billy Budd
Live from the Metropolitain Opera13h30-16h43, Radio CBC-FM, SRC-FM.

8 Stravinsky: Les noces
Brahms: Festival motets
McGill Concert Choir
John Baboukis, director
Drexel University Chorus, directed by Steven Powell
McGill Percussion Ensemble, Pierre Beluse, director
Pollack Hall, 20h, 398-4547
9 Quand la passion habite les femmes, Danièle Leblanc, mezzo, Esther Gonthier, piano, Son et Brioches, Jeunesses Musicales du Canada, Piano nobile de la Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, 11h, 5$, 842-2112

9 Théatre d'art lyrique de Laval
mini-concert, Centre de création artistique de Laval, 1565, boul. St-Martin ouest, Laval, 12h, 975-8685, 6,50$, croissant, brioche, fruit et café seront servis.

9 Choral Music of Epiphany and Lent, The Choir of The Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, Bruce Wheatcroft, dir., Briarwood Presbyterian Church, 70 Beaconsfield Blvd., Beaconsfield, 19h30, Freewill Offering, 842-3431

10 Marilyn Horne, mezzo-soprano
Vivaldi: Nissi Dominus; de Falla: Canciones Populaires,
Orchestre de Chambre McGill, A. Brott, dir., Salle Wilfred-Pelletier, 20h, $36-24$, 842-2112

12 Lucianno Pavarotti, tenor
Centre Molson
13, 16 Janaceck: Jenufa film version de Glyndebourne (1989) Operamania, Fac. de musique, Univ. de Montréal, salle B-421, 19h30, 5$, 343-6427

13-16 Black Box Theatre, Opera McGill, FACE School, 19h30, 398-4547

15 Mozart: Così fan tutte
Live from the Metropolitain Opera 13h30-17h15, Radio

15, 16 Atelier d'opéra de l'UQAM
Centre Pierre-Péladeau, 20h (le 15), 14h (le 16), 987-6919, $?

16 Brian McMillan, baryton
Pamela Reimer, piano
Séries Début, Chapelle du Bon-Pasteur, 15h30, laissez-passer requis, 872-5338

16 Bach: Cantata Conversations
Studio de Musique Ancienne de Montréal, Christopher Jackson, dir.
Notre-Dame-du-Très-Saint-Sacrement Church, 20h, 28$-10$, 861-2626

Ailleurs / Elsewhere
Fevrier / February

1. Beethoven Symphony No.9. Dominique Labelle, sprano, Sandra Graham, mezzo, Michael Schade, tenor, Gerald Finley, baritone. Toronto Symphony, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. dir Jukka-Pekka Saraste. 8 pm Roy Thomson Hall. 416-598-3375.

1,6, 9m
Berlioz: Béatrice et Bénédict
Jane Gilbert, Gordon Gietz, Nancy Allen Lundy, Steven Page, Anita Krause, John Hancock, François Loup, Richard Bradshaw, conductor, Canadian Opera Company
Hummingbird Centre, Toronto, 416-363-2348, $40-100

2m, 5, 7
Poulenc: Dialogues des Carmélites
Anne-Sophie Schmidt, Lauren Flanigan, Rita Gorr, Nadine Denize, Elizabeth Vidal, Benoit Boutet, John Fanning, Mark Dubois, Kenneth Montgomery, conductor, Canadian Opera Company,
Hummingbird Centre, Toronto, 416-363-2348, $40-100

2 Malaika, accapella music,
Great Canadian Theatre Company, Ottawa, ON

5, 7, 8, 9m
Doolittle: Charlie the Chicken
Opera Anonymous
Edward Franko, Ross Darlington, Erika Tanner, Sabatino Vacca, dir., Graham Cozzubbo, stage dir., The Music Gallery, Toronto, 8 pm/3 pm, $15, (416) 204-1080

12,13. Janacek Glagolitic Mass. Eva Urbanova, soprano. Maria popesc, mezzo. Gary Lakes, tenor. Gary Relyea, bass-baritone.Toronto Symphony, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir.dir. Andrew Davis Roy Thomson Hall. 8 pm. 416 598-3375.

12-16 Artisan, accapella music, North American Folk Alliance, Toronto, ON

13-14 Malaika, accapella music,at North American Folk Alliance, Toronto, ON

15 Malaika, accapella music, Flying Cloud Folk Club, Toronto, ON

15-16 The King's Singers, North York Performing Arts Centre, Toronto, ON

16. John Bryan's Rip Van Winkle.Toronto Children's Chorus. Metropolitan United Church.56 Queen St.East. 3 pm. $9-18.416-932-8666.

20 Anita Krause, soprano. Recital. Jane Mallet Theatre, Toronto. 8 pm. $10. 366-7723.

23 Barbara Bonney, sprano. Caren Levine, piano. All Schubert Program. Ford Centre. 2:30 pm. $24.50-$37.50. 416-872-2222.

24 Vaughan Williams: A Sea Symphony, Srul Irving Glick: The Hour Has Come, Sherri Karam, soprano, Gary Relyea, baritone, Ottawa Choral Society, Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, Iwan Edwards, dir., National Arts Center, Ottawa, $

26 Ladysmith Black Mambazo, accapella music, Potsdam College, Potsdam, NY

27 Ladysmith Black Mambazo, accapella music, Flynn Theater, Burlington, VT

27 Leontyne Price, soprano. Ford Centre. 8 pm. $48.-$75. 416-872-2222.

28 Midwinter Songs. by Canadian Composers John Rea, José Evangelista, Alexina Louie. Esprit Orchestra. dir Alex Pauk. Elmer Iseler Singers. dir. Elmer Iseler. 8 pm. St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 141 McCaul St. Toronto. $12.50-25. 416-366-7723.

Mars / March

9 Vancouver Chamber Choir, Jon Washburn, conductor, Ford Centre, Toronto, 2:30 p.m., $32.50-21.50, (416) 872-2222

14 Michael Schade, tenor
Russell Braun, baritone
Art of the Song, Ford Centre, Toronto, 8 p.m., $32.50-21.50, (416) 872-2222

16 Schubert: Die schöne Müllerin
Peter Schreier, tenor
András Schiff, piano Ford Centre, Toronto, 8 p.m., $50-$32.50, (416) 872-2222

Articles

New York News
by Philip Anson

It is no exaggeration to say that you can hear more superb opera and recitals in New York in one week than in the whole Montreal or Toronto season. Here's an average week in the vocal life of the Big Apple as blissfully experienced by yours truly.

January 11: This Saturday matinee Bohème at the Metropolitan Opera was packed with fans of Nello Santi, an expert Verdi and Puccini conductor. Though the Bohème cast was short on celebrities, it gave a stellar performance such as most stars only rarely manage. Tenor Marcello Giordani's Rodolfo was as satisfying as recent memories of Roberto Alagna on the same stage. He was most comfortable in lyrical passages that suited his easy middle voice, but like virtually every tenor these days he shied from the high notes. The whole cast was young, attractive, and passionately involved Soprano Patricia Racette's Mimi would be a credit to any production. Her "Mi chiamano Mimì" was moving, and she kept up the standard right to her subtle but convincing death scene. A bit too much vibrato might be attributed to nerves, and it wouldn't hurt if she looked at Rodolfo a little during their love scene, but quibbles aside, Racette deserved the big applause she got. Paul Whelan and Ara Berberian as Benoit and Schaunard respectively gave satisfying portrayals. Anthony Michaels-Moore's Marcello was a pillar of the production, despite a slightly covered voice that should have been more ringing. Gwynne Geyer's Musetta was titillating though her eyes were always glued to the conductor, which hurt the comic spontaneity of her performance. Nevertheless against the background of Zeffirelli's lavish sets and with Maestro Santi at the podium, this was overall the most satisfying Bohème I've seen.

January 12. Sunday evening opera cognoscenti gather at Carnegie Hall for the Opera Orchestra of New York's semi staged La Cenerentola (no controversial surtitles thank you:free librettos are provided). Three times a year Eve Queler brings the most promising young vocal talent forward in ambitious productions of unusual repertoire. For those unfamiliar with Rossini's La Cenerentola , Queler's production probably made many converts. Last minute cast changes (Philip Cokorinos as a very buffo Don Magnifico and Gino Quilico as Dandini) strengthened this already strong cast. Cinderella's step sisters Clorinda (Olga Makarina) and Tisbe (Carla Wood) had superbly matched voices. The pivotal flunky role of Alidoro was perfectly sung and acted by bass Eric J. Owens. His powerful rich voice was compellingly inflected and despite slightly lazy diction he is definitely ready for bigger things. Bruce Fowler's boyish tenor makes up for his wooden acting. Gino Quilico's Dandini was by contrast a tour de force of dramatic confidence and stage charisma. The great discovery of the evening was Vivica Genaux's Cinderella. Here is the mezzo of the future, tall and lovely with a thrillingly free and powerful vocal production reminiscent of the great Marilyn Horne. Genaux has her technique down pat, pours out a stunning wealth of song, and is a fine actress. The evening's success was completed by a sparkling orchestra and chorus.

Sunday afternoon's recital by Luciano Pavarotti at the Met was rather a sad affair despite a sold out house of The Tenor's most vociferous fans. A program of Tosti, Schubert, and standards like "Per la gloria", "Già il sole dal Gange" almost proved too much for the visibly ailing star. Propped against the piano he gave us a handful of thrills reminiscent of the good old days (just a few years ago). Whereas in the past Pavarotti was the king of the high notes he is now the prince of pianissimo, but his fans didn't seem to mind his vocal problems. They cheered like it was aleady the Superbowl. I guess that's what it means to be a legend in your own time.

Most anticipated event was the season premiere of the Met's I Puritani. The curtain rose on a Constable inspired landscape, and the chorus dressed in "Pilgrim"costumes that every American associates with Thanksgiving. If this Puritani took a few minutes to get off the ground, blame Bellini. Conductor Eduardo Müller did his best with the trivial overture, but it wasn't 'til the engagement scene (Act I. Sc. 3) when both principals Ruth Ann Swenson and Stuart Neill were first on stage together, that the show caught fire. Swenson has already proven her worth with a couple of dynamite recital albums. Her Elvira was physically gorgeous, well-acted, but vocally not quite the wild woman one hoped for. All the notes were there for "Son vergin vezzosa" and the mad scene was correct, but one feels Swenson was playing it safe. She could have taken a few risks, and Müller could have speeded up the tempo, with my full approval. Tenor Stuart Neill's Met debut made this a night to remember. If Neill keeps improving over the next few years he'll be by far the best tenor we have. His Arturo was the most accurate, respectful bel canto singing I've ever heard. Neill sings to and for the audience. Every note is spot on, his rhythm is impeccable, he has the pianissimo and the fortissimo and a creamy passage in between. Add a pleasant natural timbre to these technical accomplishments and he's a singer to cherish.

Kathleen Battle, whose temper has unfortunately recently overshadowed her singing, gave her only New York recital Tuesday January 14 at Carnegie Hall. A sold out house proved that her following has not diminished, and she deserved the encouragement. This was my first Battle recital and I was overwhelmed by her pure nightingale soprano, her showy passage work, and gorgeously embroidered upper range that carried to the very back of the acoustically perfect Carnegie Hall. Her program was eclectically challenging:Handel's "Where'er you walk", Wolf, Liszt, and Strauss lieder, Turina songs, and a capella spirituals. I usually dread the spiritual thing, but here Battle acheived some of her loveliest effects. Too bad she flubbed one of her encores, "O had I Jubal's lyre". You can't deny that Battle is neurotic but she is such a bird of paradise in her chocolate silk gowns and diamonds that one forgives her little mannerisms.

The big discovery of the week was the Bronx Opera Company. They've been around for 29 years but were new to me. They presented a double bill of Schubert's comic singspiel The Conspirators and Menotti's The Medium in the intimacy of the John Jay College Theatre. The Schubert was fun, well-costumed and staged on a shoe-string. All the singers are talented young professionals who work more for love than money. Especially talented in the Schubert were bass Michael O'Hearn who has Wagnerian potential, and sopranos Wilsonia Boyer and Andrea Roth. After the intermission came the evening's highlight, Menotti's Medium, a dynamite production directed by Lucinda Winslow that delivered a huge dramatic punch The three principals were stunning. Judith Skinner's electrifying Madame Flora/Baba deserves an Academy Award. Her portrayal of the phony clairvoyant who is driven to murder by the voices in her head must bear comparison with the greatest interpretations of the role. Culver Casson's vulnerable, girlish Monica was equally astute. Her rapport with the mute Toby, acted by George Rios, was utterly convincing. The Bronx Opera Company should be sought out by anyone interested in the best for less (tickets start at $15). Their upcoming Don Giovanni May 9, 10 should be a treat (212-576-1370).

Opera on Campus
by Philip Anson

Our two major university opera programs - Opéra McGill and the Atelier d'Opera de l'Université de Montreal - offered two frothy operettas in January, both very popular with the public. Opéra McGill's production of Rossini's La Cenerentola had five shows with two casts. The opening night on Thursday January 23 left mixed impressions. The McGill Symphony under Tim Vernon gave a spirited and incisive rendering of Rossini's fast paced score. The sets by André Barbe, by far the most impressive sets in McGill's recent history, were a delightfully whimsical mix of Hockney and art nouveau. Costumes by Mireille Vachon were as fabulous as the sets. McGill usually skimps on sets and costumes, but they really got their money's worth this time. Vocally, there was one star, soprano Julie Nesrallah. Her Cinderella, professional and enjoyable from start to finish, was no mere student performance. Cinderella's step sisters Melanie Esseltine and Sophie Taillefaire also sang and acted well. They were both funny and convincing. Upcoming: McGill's annual Fringe Opera (featuring L'amico Fritz, La Rondine, and Mahagonny) in the Black Box Theatre March 13-16, 20-23 at 7:30 p.m.

Over at the University of Montreal, I caught the last of four evenings of Johann Strauss's sparkling La Chauve-Souris (Die Fledermaus). This bilingual production delivered recitative in French, but sang all arias and ensembles in German - and excellent German at that. This was a workable compromise which aided comprehension in the absence of libretti or projected translations. Musically this Chauve Souris was a total delight. If I had seen it earlier I would have gone twice. The strong cast was lead by tenor Pascal Mondieig, a superb actor presently involved with the Opera de Montreal's Atelier Lyrique. His phenomenally subtle and comic Gabriel von Eisenstein anchored the whole production. Soprano Raphaëlle Paquette as Rosalinde, his wife, is also a born actor, with a voice that deserves high praise. Isabelle Metwalli brought striking physical beauty and yet another gorgeous voice to the stage as Adèle, their maid. Less astonishing but competent were Julien Patenaude's Frank, Michael Kim's Dr. Blind, and Christiane Jean's Orlofsky. The chorus of attractive women, some wearing nothing but lingerie, sang ravishingly and bravely acted their parts as lesbians at Orlovsky's party - chacun à son gout, indeed. Everyone was titillated when they left the stage to waltz with the audience. Director Renaud Doucet deserves credit for a funny tasteful show that ran like clockwork. Such talent and dedication really deserves an orchestra and a bigger hall. They're worth paying to hear. Watch out for their next show, Poulenc's Dialogue of the Carmelites, March 7,8,9,15,16 (free reservations: 343 6427).

WAK's Up
by Wah Keung Chan

Les Jeunes Ambassadeurs 1996
nominated three candidates, Toronto baritones James Westman and Sean Watson, and soprano Monique Pagé from Montreal as young ambassadors to tour Europe in concert in 1997 and 98. One amongst them will be engaged at the Wallonie Royal Opera. Special mention were given to soprano Rayanne Dupuis (Toronto), baritone Steven Pitkanen (Montreal) and tenor Michel Corbeil (Montreal). The auditions were held in December 1996 in Toronto and Montreal. The program is organized by the Théatre Lyrichorégra 20.

Web update:

For people looking for words to a particular song or opera, several internet sites are there to help. Due to copyright laws, translations are not always available; if you can help with your own translations, send the organizers a message.

The Lieder and Song Text Page
http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/
Emily Kunzt a M.Sc. candidate in Computer Science at McGill has put together "an extensive archive of texts to Kunstlieder and art songs of many different languages". English translations are added regularly.

Lyle Neff's Opera Libretti Page
http://copper.ucs.indiana.edu/~lneff/libretti.html
contains many libretti and other vocal texts. Thus far, only half the operas have the original language texts and only a few have translations. The site is a good source of links to other interesting sites.
Courrier / Letters

I was looking for something to do last weekend and was inspired to visit Toronto by an entry in your listings. The concert with Nancy Argenta in Toronto was great, she sang beautifully. Thank you.-
Anne-Marie Denoncourt, Montreal
Ed. note: The concert featuring soprano Nancy Argenta and the Tafelmusic Baroque Orchestra will be broadcast on CBC Stereo on February 17 at 9:05 a.m., March 12 at 7 p.m., March 23 at 10:05 a.m.and April 14 at 12:05 p.m.

Récu / Received

Strauss-Schubert-Lanner in Grinzing, Trio Kaffeehaus et Le Quintette vocal de la Famille Laferrière-Doane. SNE 619-CD

Notices:/Petites annonces

Choeurisma, chorale débutante, est à la recherche de voix d'hommes. Contacter Serge: 495-8325.
The Chantemuse Vocal Ensemble seeks chorists (SATB). Members are amateur singers with choral experience. Conductor: Jean-François Gauthier. Rehearsals: Tuesday evenings at the NDG church (metro Villa Maria). 484-2636.
Women's amateur accappella choir now recruiting new members. Rehearsals Tuesday evenings in Westmount's Victoria Hall. Ability to read music an asset but by no means necessary. Small, informal audition. Connie: 488-5231.
Cours de chant / Singing Lessons, Studio vocal MAP: 484-5407
Le baryton Claudel Calendar offre des cours de chant (tout niveau pop ou classique). Fin doc UdM - formation specialisée à NY, 342-9630. Lessons offered in English and French.

La Scena Vocale tient à remercier les pesonnes suivantes
La Scena Vocale would like to thank  Luang-Hung Shiau, donatrice/donor
Wah Wing Chan, Richard Chapman, François Carrier, Eric Legault, Serge Medawai, Phyllis Stewart, Wendy Woo, et notre publicitaire

Pour soumissions d'articles et/ou travail bénévole

La Scena Vocale accueille toute soumission ou suggestion d'articles tout travail bénévole.
Veuillez appeler au 274-0465

Call for submissions and volunteers

La Scena Vocale welcomes submissions and suggestions for future articles volunteers
Please call 274-0465.