Toronto Opera Repertoire
So You Want to Be a Soloist?
Brad Hoover as SamTaras Chmil as RiccardoOslen Hill as SchaunardRachael Jewell as Musetta


You don’t have to be Pavarotti or Renée Fleming to take a solo role in a Toronto Opera Repertoire production — in fact if they came calling we might tell them to apply elsewhere! TOR is a community-based opera company, and we draw our soloists from the local community.

From left to right: Brad Hoover as Sam in A Masked Ball, Taras Chmil as Riccardo in that opera, Oslen Hill as Schaunard in La Bohème, Rachael Jewell as Musetta in La Bohème. Below: James Dundass as Rodolfo, and Natalie Donnelly as Mimi in La Bohème.

James Dundass and Natalie Donnelly in La Boheme

We’re looking for trained singers who are willing to commit time, energy and passion — for the opportunity to appear in a fully staged, professionally directed production of an opera classic. “I was terrified,” remembers baritone Gerald Hannon, who began with TOR in the 2002 season. “I’d never sung solo before in my life, and artistic director Giuseppe Macina can be very exacting. But the important thing to remember is that you’re learning from someone who’s been in the business for over 40 years, and who knows this repertoire cold.” Soprano Serena Kemball sang the demanding role of Lucia in Donizetti’s opera during our 2004 season, and says “I have been in several other opera workshops in Toronto and I believe that TOR provided me with the best opportunities. It is one of the few workshops where a singer can learn and perform an entire role! Giuseppe Macina is a walking/talking opera encyclopedia, and he gives people opportunities to live their dreams. I think this is important even for people who do not want to be professional singers. Giuseppe will take the best voice he can find for the role — he does not have discriminatory age limits or require a university degree. Where else will you find a such a mixed group of people — housewives, aspiring opera singers, carpenters, teachers, computer programmers, all getting on stage and singing opera? This is great for the community.”
The Details
Soloists may arrange an audition by leaving a voice mail message at 416-698-9572, or by e-mailing your request.

Soloists are often double-cast, and must agree to sing in the chorus on nights when their alternates are singing. There are three rehearsals a week over nine weeks in October and November — Tuesday nights, 6:30 to 9:30, with the chorus, and Wednesday and Thursday evenings, 6:30 to 9:30, with the other soloists.

After the holidays, rehearsals begin again in January. As performance dates approach in mid-February, you can expect extra rehearsals. There are usually six performances of each of the two operas in repertoire, and two evenings of opera excerpts later in March. Performances are on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings, and there is a Sunday matinee. Performances are fully staged and professionally costumed, though with piano accompaniment only. If you need more information, you can write us at Soloist Info.


OUR COORDINATES
You can reach us by:
Snail Mail
Toronto City Opera
P.O. Box 617, Station P
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5S 2Y4
 E-Mail
Email the Webmaster
Voice Mail
416-698-9572