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'EXCLUSIVE: Jean Derome, Scott's Trombone and 'Art of the Fugue' -- Kurt Gottschalk's Weekend in Montreal

A weekend in Montreal--at least one like that of November 20, into which I was fortunate enough to air-drop--can seem like a build-your-own festival. Canada loves its fests. And Montreal has more of them than any other city in the country, with over 100 arts, comedy, food and fashion fêtes across the year. While the premiere of the Opéra de Montreal's production of Elektra was the reason for my visit, I was also able to attend the opening concert of the city's Bach Festival and a couple of concerts in the city's fertile (and under recognized) jazz scene. Most everything happens within walking distance of downtown. And meal breaks at Foodlab in the impressive Société des Arts Technologiques building (an excellent gnocchi with roasted Brussels sprout leaves) and the tasty Qing Hua Dumpling in nearby Chinatown, a weekend in downtown Montreal proved to be as enjoyable as it was easily navigable.
By Kurt Gottschalk

  • 'REVIEW: Lise Lindstrom Looms Large in Strauss' 'Elektra' at Opéra de Montréal

    Opéra de Montréal gave that city's first staging of 'Elektra' in November--and the first production ever by a resident Montreal company--finessing a presentation both stark and expansive, starring the brilliant American soprano Lise Lindstrom. Filling the titular role, Lindstrom easily carried the weight of Strauss' demanding single-act, 100-minute opera. But the spotlight wasn't hers alone; she shared it with a massive, 25-foot statue of King Agamemnon and the equally enormous vision of the company's artistic director, Michel Beaulac.
    By Kurt Gottschalk

  • 'The Piano: A Measure of Time (Part 2), Liz Forrester

    My fingers have difficulty playing my own old recital piece from boarding school. Still, I can belt out the showtunes. My music continued there and kept me in touch with the outside world. I accompanied my schoolmates around the piano -- cranking out hymns on the small chapel organ. At college in Boston, where my love with New England flourished, I found a common bond between north and south in the glee club with portrayals of W.S. Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan's "I'm Called Little Buttercup" from Pinafore and "The Duchess" from Gondoliers.
    By Elizabeth L. Forrester
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