Sunday, September 30, 2007 -- 2:00 pm
DAVID STANLEY-PORTER
"Mad behavior in opera from Monteverdi to Britten"

How do composers show crazed behavior in opera? David Stanley-Porter is the organizer and Director of the educational International Operatours for Friends of the Canadian Opera Company and for the COC's President's Council, which he has been leading since 1981.

Sunday, November 4, 2007 -- 2:00 pm
JOHN RUTHERFORD
"Freudian literature from Pelléas et Mélisande to The Wizard of Oz"

Freudian matters relating to opera include such works as The Merry Widow, Spring Awakening, and Elektra.

A frequent speaker at this Club, John Rutherford has again chosen an unusual topic, particularly as he is about to celebrate his 80th birthday.

Sunday, January 20, 2008 -- 2:00 pm
ROBERT PIERRE TOMAS
"Sopranos You Must Know"

Robert Pierre Tomas, freelance opera/vocal writer and CD reviewer for Wholenote magazine, prefers forgotten operas and lesser-known singers. He'll enlighten us about such sopranos as Dilber, Luba Orgnonasowa, Amanda Roocroft and more.

Sunday, February 24, 2008 -- 2:00 pm
COLIN EATOCK
"Puccini: Why Some Love Him and Some Hate Him".

Freelance opera writer and interviewer Colin Eatock has chosen a timely topic; this season the COC is presenting Puccini's Tosca, and The Met's live telecasts include Manon Lescaut and La Bohème; and this year is the 150th anniversary of Puccini's birth.

Sunday, March 30, 2008 -- 2:00 pm
STUART HAMILTON
"An Unknown Masterpiece: Chabrier's Le Roi Malgré Lui."

The Founder and former Artistic Director of Opera in Concert and acclaimed vocal coach, Stuart Hamilton is bringing two or three singers to illustrate Chabrier's opera.

Sunday, June 1st, 2008 -- 2:00 pm
RICK PHILLIPS
"Elizabeth Schwarzkopf"

Rick Phillips, the Host and Producer of Sound Advice on CBC Radio Two, will present the artistry of the late, great soprano Elizabeth Schwarzkopf - cool, confident, commanding and completely captivating.

The Opera Club meets on Sunday afternoons at 2.00 pm in Room 330 at the University of Toronto's Edward Johnson Building.