Art Life and Stilettos

Seductive Visuals that Make Love From Afar

art life and stilettos — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:59:05 EST

Photos from the Canadian Opera Company's production of Love From Afar, by Kaija Saariaho.

All photos by Michael Cooper and Chris Hutcheson - Copyright Canadian Opera Company

"The COC production is presented by Daniele Finzi Pasca, best known for his work with Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo and the creation of the closing ceremonies of the XX Olympic Winter Games in Torino in 2006. In Love from Afar, Finzi Pasca also serves as lighting designer, working with set designer Jean Rabasse and costume designer Kevin Pollard. He brings his signature style to a visually arresting new production that uses innovative Cirque-like techniques to extend the range of effects possible on stage. Acrobats gliding through the air, backgrounds of silk and coloured lights, and costumes with seemingly endless silken extensions seductively weave this 12th-century love affair with the 21st century."

View the full gallery after the jump

Anna Netrebko on Diamonds, Food and Fashion: Interview with Vogue Russia

art life and stilettos — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 13:14:44 EST

Updated!! Check out the new translation of the Anna Netrebko interview with Vogue Russia. Meticulously handled by our fabulous friend Sasha. Thank you Sasha. Now the interview makes much more sense, and those awkward lost in translation type moments have mostly dissappeared.

Interview by Alexey Tarkhanov for Vogue Russia. Imperfect and imprecise translation courtesy of @sasherka. The original interview can be found here.

Recital in New York City, main role at La Scala, a Christmas concert in Moscow – for Anna Netrebko the whole world is not enough

No one has done for our operatic art as much as Anna Netrebko. Not because she is the greatest singer of our time - there are others, and not worse. But because she is the most beautiful singer of our time, the funniest and liveliest. And she is ours.

Big opera singer - Maria Callas until 1953 or Montserrat Caballe nowadays – is a huge mobile audio speaker. She moves onto the stage, opens mouth and sings an aria. Then she moves to another corner and sounds from there.

Anna Netrebko is not thin, but there is nothing monumental in her. She knows how to improvise, trusts her charisma and body and therefore can kick off shoes, if they’re too tight; or lose a Chopard earring on the stage of the Moscow Conservatory - who counts them. Even do a somersault - as in "Don Pasquale" at the Metropolitan Opera. That's what her acrobatics lessons were for at the Palace of Pioneers and School Students of the Krasnodar Region. She also sang in the "Kuban Young Pioneers" choir. And learned to ride a horse. And was "Miss Kuban". Drama club, photography club ... but also wanted to sing - the real soviet action girl.

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All Tomorrow’s Parties - Andy Warhol, the Factory and the Velvet Underground

art life and stilettos — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:08:42 EST

Andy Warhol and Lou Reed, 1967, Providence

I love it when fresh images of iconic artists make the gallery rounds. When it comes to the Velvet Underground, the Factory and anything Warhol, I am always interested. It's too bad the exhibit, All Tomorrow’s Parties - Andy Warhol, la Factory e i Velvet Underground is opening in Bologna, Italy, because I would have loved to view the more than 80 pictures shot by internationally renowned photographers, like David McCabe, in person.

Warhol was a close friend and collaborator with the Velvet Underground, and there is something so fabulously vivid about way the musicians and artists of the period were captured on film. Here are some pictures from the show, in case you don't have a flight booked to Europe for the holidays.

These images were sourced from Vogue Italia

Opera in interesting places: In The Furniture Store with Against the Grain Theatre

art life and stilettos — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 20:44:56 EST

Ambur Braid as the Queen of the Night - Photo by Diana Di Mauro

Against the Grain Theatre is another local company that has taken the tradition of opera and flipped it on its head, presenting classic works with a laid back attitude, and in interesting places. Against the Grain Theatre is "a collective of Toronto artists - actors, opera singers, musicians, painters, writers, dancers, and arts professionals - with a thing for performing in unique spaces. We want to take the classics and turn them sideways - that is, present them... differently. Cozily. Sometimes with beer and popcorn."

Super Villains is the performance that I attended. There was Steam Whistle on ice (Steam Whistle loves opera, don't they?) and a never-ending supply of candy and chocolates laid out. The theme of the evening was inspired by comic book super villains. Magneto, Green Goblin and the Joker would have been right at home. They presented a unique mix of opera and musical theatre pieces, performed by villainous characters but loosened them up a bit. Whips, beer and razor blades all made welcome appearances.

Smash Furniture Store made for an inspiring performance space, as their merchandise tilts the scale towards theatrical styling than conventional furniture. The exposed brick, vintage fixtures and sale tags on the audience's seats contributed to the warm and easy going atmosphere. The singers were inches from the audience, and as observers we were completely engaged into the scenes by the performers. It came across like audience members were spontaneously getting up to perform. It completely worked.

The repertoire was classic as it gets, and the character choices exposed the complex and evil personalities of Don Giovanni, Carmen, the Queen of the Night (Die Zauberflote), Sweeney Todd, Esclarmonde, Tarquinius (The Rape of Lucretia), Medea Redux, and Javert (Les Miserables).

Yes, opera villains are as appealing as you think. I loved the performance.

Super Villains featured Gene Wu, Stephen Hegedus, Ambur Braid, Vilma Vitols, Christopher Mokrzewski and Noa May Dorn.

Photos are below, video will follow shortly. Don't forget to check out Against the Grain Theatre's production of La Boheme, performed in English at the Tranzac Club December 1, 2 and 3. This opera is actually being performed in a bar. Hallelujah, let's all go!

Operas in interesting places - In The Pub with Tapestry New Opera

art life and stilettos — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 21:45:10 EST

Xin Wang, soprano - Photo by Michael Mori

I like to take opportunities as they come. Most of the time I'm pleasantly surprised with the outcome, and being given the opportunity to attend Tapestry New Opera's Pub Operas was definitely no exception. When I found out about the performance I was super excited. An opera written about a pub, inspired by a pub and performed in a pub, and in the Distillery District no doubt, sounded pretty great to me. Of course I probably should have paid more attention to the description of the venue because once I was past the Distillery's toll booth of a front gate, I spent about ten minutes trying to find the Ernest Balmer Studio. For whatever reason I just couldn't get the idea of an opera taking place in Sloan’s Pub out of my head and I kept circling all the festive looking watering holes hoping that Tapestry would be warming-up inside. I soon realized that they actually have a performance space on the third floor of one of those festive looking buildings. The show was not in a pub.

Alright, I can accept that they didn't perform in an actual bar, it was their studio space dramatically turned into a Scottish pub, complete with bartenders and Steam Whistle on tap. It was pretty cool, plus it gave them control over having a stage set up that worked best for the opera, room for a small orchestra with grand piano and of course, gave the performers a generous backstage area to work with. Ah, reality. Anyway, back to the opera itself.

Tapestry provided us with the operatic equivalent of a five course meal complete with the ghost of Chopin, a crazy lady, happy and angry drunks, live country music, a robbery, a wedding, a serial killer, and a dead guy. The beer was cold, the snacks were Scottish, and the opera was undeniably satisfying. Scottish composer Gareth Williams provided the modern score that at times seemed minimalist inspired and at other moments felt more theatrical. The libretto was written by Canadian, David Brock. He was a way with words that gave the characters life and humanity.

Pub Operas was - Wayne Strongman, Music Director; Xin Wang, soprano; Heather Jewson, mezzo soprano; James McLean, tenor; Benjamin Covey, baritone.

Tapestry New Opera's next production will be, The Tapestry Songbook, January 28, 2012. "This concert will showcase bravura arias from the extensive library of Tapestry produced operas, performed by artists from the Tapestry New Work Studio Company and participants from Tapestry’s New Opera 101 Master Class/Workshop. Soprano Xin Wang, Baritone Peter McGillivray and Collaborative Pianist Christopher Foley return as both performers and master class clinicians."

Pub Opera's Assistant Director, Michael Mori, sent me some artistic rehearsal photos that really capture the mood of the night. You can watch the slide show below, or click through the pic by pic gallery.

awake but dreaming - party pics of the candy coloured shangri-la book launch

art life and stilettos — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:26:45 EST

maya chendke - photo by diana di mauro

I was invited to the launch of Maya Chendke's new book, Awake but Dreaming, at the Shangri-La in Toronto. Awake but Dreaming explores the pitfalls of fame and the cult of celebrity. The main characters hail from Toronto and Maya made sure to include as many local favourites as she could, and even had these Toronto gems show off their goods her launch. Boutiques, bakeries and custom made cocktails all told the story of Awake but Dreaming from Maya's and her characters' perspective. I just started reading the book, and so far I'm loving it. It's a fun, easy read that has already taken me on a worldwide adventure and reminded me of how great it is back home. Check out the photo gallery and slideshow below, and don't forget to check out Maya's new book. You can read a chapter for free on her website or purchase it here and here.

the book! awake but dreaming by maya chendke

Click below to see the pic by pic gallery!

A Muse Ball - Operanation 8 - with behind the scenes photos

art life and stilettos — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:25:00 EDT

Operanation 8: A Muse Ball is happening Friday, October 21, 2011. This year the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio fundraiser has chosen "the Muse" as it's theme, and has created a teaser website called The Daily Muse which features notable designers, industry insiders, film and media notables, and members of the Canadian Opera Company talking about their Muses and personal inspiration. Operanation will showcase Canadian fashion designs and custom made garments from Calla (by Calla Haynes), Joeffer Caoc, Greta Constantine (by Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong), Arthur Mendonça and Ashley Rowe. These designers have created garments that reflect the personal muses of the design house, presented in the form of a fashion installation curated by RAC Boutique, with shoes provided by Holt Renfrew.

Now that fashion has been covered, let's get to the music. Rufus Wainwright will be headlining the evening and there will be a special performance by Austra in collaboration with soprano Ambur Braid and baritone Adrian Kramer, two rising opera stars from the COC’s Ensemble Studio. I love the mix of popular and opera.

Tickets to this magical night of dancing, rousing live entertainment and specialty food and drink are $150 per person, and are on sale at operanation.ca or by calling COC Ticket Services at 416-363-8231.

Cecily Carver, the Social Media Guru at the COC has posted a series of behind the scenes photos from the poster shoot on the COC blog. Check out my gallery below for a selection of those photos. Cecily's original post can be seen on the Parlando blog.

All photos courtesy of the Canadian Opera Company - © Canadian Opera Company 2011

Marc Jacobs New York Spring/Summer 2012

art life and stilettos — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 10:52:50 EDT

Shawn Brackbill goes behind the scenes at Marc Jacobs for Interview Magazine

The Met Opera - Ariadne auf Naxos: photos and reviews

art life and stilettos — Mon, 09 May 2011 16:42:55 EDT

With Maestro James Levine cancelling performances (including his beloved Walküre, though that was due to illness NOT persistent back problems), pulling out of Tanglewood and the Met tour of Japan, it seems more and more like Fabio Luisi will be keeping Levine's conductor's seat warm for good. Especially since critics and singers alike keep talking about how much they like his work, and Saturday's Ariadne auf Naxos seems to have been no exception. The reviews have been glowing for the conductor and singers, and I love the colourful juxtaposition of soothing myth and jarring shtick that comes across in the photos.

Cinderella goes to the opera

art life and stilettos — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 19:12:32 EDT

It has been a very busy Easter weekend for Art Life and Stilettos. Between Opera Atelier, The Met Opera Broadcast, the Canadian Opera Company's spring productions, and buying cute bunny themed gifts for the girls in my life, I am spent. For those of you who have a couple of hours to spare why not attend a production this evening? Tonight is opening night of the Canadian Opera Company's production of La Cenerentola (Cinderella) by Rossini. His is a wonderful adaptation of the classic fable that is a perfect showpiece for coloratura mezzo. American soprano Elizabeth DeShong will be dazzling the audience as Cinderella, you may remember her as Hermia in the COC’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 2009. Tenor Lawrence Brownlee is her Prince, Don Ramiro – a role he sang in a recent Metropolitan Opera HD broadcast. Ramiro’s valet, Dandini, is sung by COC favourite, baritone Brett Polegato (2009’s Madama Butterfly and 2008’s Don Giovanni). American bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen, (2001’s The Girl of the Golden West) returns to sing Ramiro’s tutor, Alidoro, who befriends Angelina. Italian bass Donato DiStefano (2007’s The Marriage of Figaro) is the evil stepfather Don Magnifico. Angelina’s wicked stepsisters, Clorinda and Tisbe, are played by two rising young stars of the COC Ensemble Studio, soprano Ileana Montalbetti, whose Elettra in last season’s Ensemble performance of Idomeneo was highly praised, and mezzo-soprano Rihab Chaieb, most recently seen as one of Chairman Mao’s secretaries in the COC’s critically-acclaimed Nixon in China.

Italian conductor Leonardo Vordoni makes his COC debut with this production. A former staff member of the Metropolitan Opera, Vordoni made his conducting debut in 2008 at the internationally renowned Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro, Italy, followed by what critics have called a “scintillating” debut performance at the prestigious Wexford Opera Festival. He is married to Joyce Di Donato and she may or may not be attending tonight's performance...

It doesn't have to cost your Alexander Wang budget to attend the opera, in fact there are a number of ways to attend that will cost you less than a subscription to Vogue. Here is the low down on your ticket options, along with my handy (guide) to each group:

Standing Room (Stay fit and Watch Opera) Standing Room tickets for only $12 go on sale at 11 a.m. on the morning of each performance at the Four Seasons Centre Box Office. Limit of two tickets per person. Subject to availability.

Young People (Those under 5 feet tall may actually like opera) Special young people’s tickets are priced from $31 to $95, plus applicable taxes. These ticket prices apply to those who are 15 years of age or under, accompanied by and sitting next to an adult.

Opera for a New Age (How Art Life and Stilettos rolls, just say I sent you) Patrons between the ages of 16 and 29 may purchase $22 Opera for a New Age tickets as of Sat., April 9, 2011 at 10 a.m., online at coc.ca or in person at the Four Seasons Centre Box Office. Opera for a New Age is presented by TD Bank Financial Group.

Student Group Tickets (Bring your whole crew, then invite me to the after-party) Student group tickets are $22 per student and may be purchased by calling 416-306-2356. Rush Seats (Just show up) Rush seats, starting at $22 and subject to availability, go on sale at 11 a.m. on the morning of each performance at the Four Seasons Centre Box Office.

Tickets for Cinderella are available online at coc.ca, by calling 416-363-8231 or in person at the Four Seasons Centre Box Office (145 Queen St. W., Toronto). Sung in Italian with English SURTITLES™, Cinderella runs for nine performances at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts on April 23, 28, May 1, 7, 10, 13, 19, 22 and 25, 2011.

Now for the photos. Here is a sneak peak at the costumes and wigs that will make an appearance this evening, courtesy of the lovely Cecily Carver and the COC.

(l–r) Tamara Wilson as Clorinda, Earle Patriarco as Dandini, and Catherine Cook as Tisbe in the Houston Grand Opera’s production of La Cenerentola, 2007. Photo: Brett Coomer
January, 2007

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Opera singer Wallis Giunta is the new face of McCaffrey Haute Couture

art life and stilettos — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 11:11:11 EST

The COC Ensemble Studio's Wallis Giunta, a mezzo-soprano who has charmed critics with her creamy voice and charismatic stage presence, is collaborating with noted Canadian couturier McCaffrey Haute Couture. She will be featured modelling David McCaffrey's gowns in print and online ads, and McCaffrey will supply custom-made gowns for her upcoming recitals.

Wallis Giunta models gowns from the McCaffrey Haute Couture 2011 Collection Iridescence, by David McCaffrey. Photos by MIV Photography, 2011.

Continue reading Opera singer Wallis Giunta is the new face of McCaffrey Haute Couture

LADY GAGA for VOGUE

art life and stilettos — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 11:49:51 EST

Photos by Mario Testino, Courtesy of Vogue

“There is this assumption that women in music and pop culture are supposed to act a certain way, and because I’m just sort of middle fingers up, a-blazing, doing what my artistic vision tells me to do, that is what is misunderstood. People are like, ‘She dresses this way for attention.’ Or like, ‘Ugh, the meat dress.’ ” She rolls her eyes. “People just want to figure it out or explain it. The truth is, the mystery and the magic is my art. That is what I am good at. You are fascinated with precisely the thing that you are trying to analyze and undo.”

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Continue Reading the Complete Vogue Interview by Johnathan Van Meter