golden anniversary frock

i'm such a winner.

spent the whole time on opening night taking pictures behind the scenes, of the backstage tour, blogger night and fashion at the opera, i neglected to take a picture of myself. not to say that i'm always gunning to be in front of the camera, but i had gone all out and glammed up for the occasion. and it never dawned on me until i got home.

there is but one picture. one photographic proof of the topshop dress by kate moss that i rocked that night. and it was taken on the norma stage when i took my bloggers behind the curtain for the backstage tour. course, it's doubly awesome how the full on stage lights was so strong as to wash me out.


photo by emme rogers

guess this means, i shall have to wear the dress out again and this time, make sure i'm in front of the camera, instead of the usual being behind it.

mommie dearest

photo by tim matheson

norma may be a bit park and bark-ish, what with the uber-dramatic hand raising with fingers splayed and the gloria swanson bulging eyes from sunset boulevard, but that's because it's ALL about the singing.


photo by tim matheson

i think we got a hit, kids.

"Here we find the operatic archetypes: a stout tenor of formidable volume; the diva...who has long owned the title role; the young mezzo-soprano on the rise." - The Globe and Mail


"Norma is all about a trio of principals— soprano Hasmik Papian, in the title role, mezzo Kate Aldrich as her rival Adalgisa, and tenor Richard Margison as the object of both their affections." - Vancouver Sun


"People think Celine D. puts lots of extra and difficult notes into the song line! Ha! They should listen to Bellini. Lots of technical work here—for the females especially. Always in Bel Canto." - The Vancouver Observer

"The backdrop was transformed via projected images a number of times during the performance, and by the end of the opera became a decimated forest, and, ultimately, a funeral pyre." - Review Vancouver

"Not only does it look great, it sounds great, thanks to some masterly acoustical redesign. The sound blooms with presence. I couldn’t believe my ears." - Georgia Straight

next stop: soul asylum

oasis may not be pretty or stylish but they have some good tracks. a fab song to take it easy with today after the norma opening last night.

what you surely have been waiting for...

feast your eyes on the norma manga, illustrated by the brilliance that is roy husada and fiona meng.

to supersize the manga, see it on operalive.ca.

opera ninja army is growing!

ninjagirl is off at a secret location training more ninja warriors for the upcoming season. (or reading between the lines: i'm taking the night off to watch the dress rehearsal with le boyfriend)

but don't you worry, dear readers! you'll still get all the backstage secrets with our newest member, ninjaboy ami, as he utilizes his skills of espionage while stealthly scaling up to the rafters and hiding in the shadows.

so follow along tomorrow night at the norma dress rehearsal with ninjaboy ami on twitter: operaninja.

but don't get in his way or you may see of shower of shurikens coming right at you.

brand new season, brand new theatre

we are just about to burst, we're so excited for everyone coming to see norma at the newly renovated queen elizabeth theatre.

last week, the staff went on a tour of the QET and were delighted by the changes, mainly to the lobby and the mezzanine.

when you're at the theatre, you'll notice:

~ the lobby ceiling has been removed completely! instead, there's now a 3 story atrium and white seashell-like chandeliers
~ there are 12 more stalls in the women's restroom (always a good thing)
~ a bar on the mezzanine and the balcony levels
~ HDTV screens throughout the lobby









inside the house, you'll notice:

~ dark wood stepped floors in orchestra seating area (instead of the concrete decline)
~ brand new staggered seats WITH more leg room
~ the arms of the seats can be put up (for cuddling and handholding, ya know)
~ 100 wide bodied seats along the aisles
~ handicapped seats and companion seats have doubled
~ fabric rolldowns sound reflectors on the ceiling
~ bamboo sound reflectors on the wall that will bounce music back to the audience

the biggest change would be that to the mezzanine seating. patrons will have to get to the mezz seating from the mezzanine level only. no longer can you access through the lobby stairs inside the house. not that people would mind, as sitting in the new mezzanine will make one feel like they're watching a performance in the royal box.





of course, pictures don't do it justice. you'll just have to come down to the opera and see it for yourselves!

straight from their mouths: norma

if the stars have this to say about norma, imagine what it'll be like to WATCH it!

i just think it’s absolutely gorgeous music. it’s something not to be missed because bellini is not done that often and i don’t think done often enough. - richard margison

i think the singer who can sing this role is blessed because it’s a wonderful part-dramatically, musically, vocally. there’s everything there. - hasmik papian

it’s got the greatest singing minds. it’s got wonderful orchestral score. it’s got great drama. it’s something which moves people. - maestro richard bonynge

oh, the anticipation!


video by bombshelter productions & mike mckinley

doesn't the video make you want to buy a ticket? or a subscription? or three? thanks to sean for an awesome job on the interviews.