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La Scena Musicale - Vol. 16, No. 6

Editorial

by Wah Keung Chan / March 18, 2011

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Last Valentine’s Day, La Scena Musicale helped spread romantic cheer through our first Singing Valentines fundraiser. Seven singers, including members of the Atelier Lyrique of the Opéra de Montréal, mezzos Aidan Fergerson and Emma Parkinson and baritones Philip Kalmanovitch and Pierre Rancourt—who took time out of their busy rehearsal for this month’s production of Menotti’s The Consul—mezzo Rebecca Harvey, baritone Jeremy Carver-James and yours truly, serenaded 25 valentines over the phone. Thanks again to our volunteer singers (see the ad on page 14 and visit their websites).

The most popular request was Saint-Saëns’s “Mon cœur s’ouvre à ta voix,” followed by “My Funny Valentine.” Other songs offered included “L’invitation au voyage,” “Morgen” and “Che gelida manina.” Helping make the day for the valentines was the reward, as the singers from the Atelier Lyrique reported, showing again what live music can do. The idea was inspired by my many years of phoning birthday greetings to friends and family, and the surprise and thrilled reaction it got. Based on the positive feedback, we plan to offer birthday greetings as well as greetings for Mother’s Day. To order a song or to be volunteer singer, please email ­donation@lascena.org.

In celebration of International Women's History Month, this issue shines a spotlight on women in music: on the cover, we feature Canadian soprano Shannon Mercer; our jazz section is devoted to the newest from great female jazz musicians; our monthly Discovery CD (free to subscribers, courtesy XXI Records) presents the recordings of violinist Anne Robert, one third of the Trio Hochelaga; and as homage to one of the most controversial female characters in opera, we offer a musicological survey of some of the most innovative and beloved renditions of Salome, which will be staged by the Opéra de Montréal on the 19th. An intro to the Fach system of vocal classification will enlighten readers about the inner workings of the opera world. In our ‘musical cities’ feature, we focus on Vancouver and hear what Maestro Bramwell Tovey of the Vancouver Symphony has to say about his adopted city's musical culture and trends.

Our 14th annual summer camp guide will feature an extensive list of music and arts camps, helping parents make summer plans for their musical child. Live music is in abundance this month—our regional calendar is one of the largest of the year with 586 listings (also searchable online at scena.org). We’ve also updated our list of radio shows dedicated to classical music. And there's plenty more!

Have a great musical March!


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