Category Archives: Uncategorized

MOYA O’CONNELL: ACTRESS AND SHAW FESTIVAL MAINSTAY DISCUSSES THEATRE AND HER CREATIVE LIFE -“I ONLY ASK THAT THE AUDIENCE ALLOW THEMSELVES TO BE OPEN. I WANT THEM TO GIVE THEMSELVES TO ME. I WANT THEM TO BE MY PARTNER IN ADVENTURE.” — A REVIEWER’S INTERVIEW WITH PEOPLE IN THE ARTS

Posted on November 9, 2016 by strecker

JAMES STRECKER: If you were asked for 50 words for an encyclopedia to summarize what you do, or have done, in the arts, what would you say? MOYA O’CONNEL: Canadian theatre actress. Anglo-Irish heritage. Spent 6 seasons at Bard on … Continue reading →

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IVARS TAURINS, AKA MR. HANDEL, DISCUSSES HISTORICALLY-INFORMED PERFORMANCE, A LIFE IN MUSIC, THE TAFELMUSIK CHAMBER CHOIR ON ITS 35TH ANNIVERSARY, AND THE TAFELMUSIK ANNUAL SING-ALONG MESSIAH: A REVIEWER’S INTERVIEW WITH PEOPLE IN THE ARTS

Posted on October 23, 2016 by strecker

Photos by Gary Beechey JAMES STRECKER: If you were asked for 50 words for an encyclopedia to summarize what you do, what would you say? IVARS TAURINS: I guess I’d have to open with: an “HIP” (historically-informed performance) conductor, enjoying … Continue reading →

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CHRISTY BRUCE: STAR OF SPONTANEOUS THEATRE AND THE INTERNATIONALLY POPULAR PRODUCTION “BLIND DATE”: A REVIEWER’S INTERVIEW WITH PEOPLE IN THE ARTS

Posted on October 20, 2016 by strecker

JAMES STRECKER: If you were asked for 50 words for an encyclopedia to summarize what you do, what would you say? CHRISTY BRUCE Christy Bruce is an improviser who specializes in Spontaneous Theatre. She has spent a lot of time … Continue reading →

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PETER TOGNI: COMPOSER, BROADCASTER, MUSICIAN, AND CREATOR OF THE DISCREETLY PENETRATING AND POTENT NEW CD “HYMNS OF HEAVEN AND EARTH” -A REVIEWER’S INTERVIEW WITH PEOPLE IN THE ARTS

Posted on October 12, 2016 by strecker

JAMES STRECKER: If you were asked for 50 words for an encyclopedia to summarize what you do, what would you say? PETER TOGNI: I am a composer, organist, pianist, improviser, conductor and broadcaster. I express my love for humanity, my … Continue reading →

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LAUREN SEGAL: AN “ALLURING DARK-PLUM MEZZO” BRINGS FAVORITE ROLE CARMEN TO HAMILTON PHILHARMONIC ON OCTOBER 15: A REVIEWER’S INTERVIEW WITH PEOPLE IN THE ARTS

Posted on October 4, 2016 by strecker

JAMES STRECKER: If you were asked for 50 words for an encyclopedia to summarize what you do, what would you say? LAUREN SEGAL: An opera singer sings works that have been created over many centuries to entertain, move and inspire … Continue reading →

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JOANN FALLETTA: MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE BUFFALO PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA AND THE VIRGINIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND AT THE FOREFRONT OF WOMEN CONDUCTORS IN THE CHANGING WORLD OF CLASSICAL MUSIC – A REVIEWER’S INTERVIEW WITH PEOPLE IN THE ARTS

Posted on September 28, 2016 by strecker

JAMES STRECKER: If you were asked for 50 words for an encyclopedia to summarize what you do, what would you say? JOANN FALLETTA: As a conductor, I am a catalyst who energizes and enables the superb team of the orchestra. … Continue reading →

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AMBUR BRAID, SOPRANO: DALINDA IN HANDEL’S ARIODANTE FROM OCTOBER 16 AND QUEEN OF THE NIGHT IN MOZART’S THE MAGIC FLUTE FROM JANUARY 19, BOTH AT THE CANADIAN OPERA COMPANY – A REVIEWER’S INTERVIEW WITH PEOPLE IN THE ARTS

Posted on September 26, 2016 by strecker

JAMES STRECKER: If you were asked for 50 words for an encyclopedia to summarize what you do, what would you say? AMBUR BRAID: Ambur Braid, Torontonian, Humanitarian, Dinner Party Enthusiast, Sommelier, Painter, Therapist, Opera Singer. JS: What important beliefs do … Continue reading →

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RECENT PLEASURES: A REVIEWER’S NOTES ON ELISABETH LOUISE VIGEE LE BRUN, PETER TOGNI WITH STACIE DUNLOP, AND THE DEPARTING JACKIE MAXWELL OF THE SHAW FESTIVAL –THANK YOU, JACKIE!

Posted on September 23, 2016 by strecker

PLEASURE 1: Several years ago I was walking through London’s National Gallery on the way to view The Adoration of the Shepherds from about 1640 by the Le Nain Brothers. Was this profoundly gentle painting more the work of Antoine? … Continue reading →

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PETER OUNDJIAN: AN INTERVIEW WITH THE CONDUCTOR AND MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE TORONTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WHO OPENS THE TSO SEASON WITH SOPRANO RENEE FLEMING ON SEPTEMBER 21: A REVIEWER’S INTERVIEW WITH PEOPLE IN THE ARTS

Posted on September 18, 2016 by strecker

JAMES STRECKER: Please tell us about one or more projects that you have been working on, are preparing, or have recently completed. Why do they matter to you and why should they matter to us? PETER OUNDJIAN: Right now I’m … Continue reading →

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STACIE DUNLOP: AN INTERVIEW WITH THE SOPRANO OF “CUTTING EDGE CONTEMPORARY CREATIONS” IN CLASSCAL MUSIC: A REVIEWER’S INTERVIEW WITH PEOPLE IN THE ARTS

Posted on September 12, 2016 by strecker

JAMES STRECKER: If you were asked for 50 words for an encyclopedia to summarize what you do, what would you say? STACIE DUNLOP: Stacie Dunlop is a passionate performer of new music, producer of cutting edge contemporary creations and an … Continue reading →

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