Opera on the Rocks Jan. 6 and 7 in Toronto

Toronto's new Ambient Opera Society collective will be presenting Opera on the Rocks on January 6 and 7 at 8pm in the Pauper's Pub on Bloor Street as part of the Canadian Music Centre's New Music in New Places program. Yes, this will be one of those rare classical music events where you can actually get hammered on the brewskies have a drink while you watch the show.

On the cast are several members of the Tapestry New Work Studio, including soprano Carla Huhtanen, mezzo-soprano Jessica Lloyd, tenor Keith Klassen, baritone Alex Dobson, and director Liza Balkan.

The libretto team of Opera on the Rocks consists of playwrights Leanna Brodie, Dave Carley, Lisa Codrington, and Krista Dalby, with music written by David Ogborn, also appearing as the show's orchestra (on electric guitar).

Tickets are $20/10 and will probably sell out via the Facebook crowd, so buying early is recommended.

Naturally7 in the Paris Metro

I was going to write an article today on developing a sense of spontaneity in one's playing, but after seeing this astonishing video of Naturally7 singing and beatboxing In The Air Tonight in the Paris Metro, I rest my case. Let's hear it for the visceral power of music-making that brought us to this field in the first place and the wonder of hearing music in new places and situations not usually associated with artistic creation.



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