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NEWS
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Richard Wows Edmonton Audiences with his Performances of Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci
"You're in the thick of nowhere, driving the dullest road ever. The CD player in the rental car is bust so you're searching for a radio station, any station, to kill the monotony, to keep yourself awake. All you get is fuzz, crackle, and you nearly resign yourself to silence. But then, as if the gods heard you grumbling, the radio tuner picks up the most stunning sound. It is so clear, so precise, so rich, you want to pull over and put duct tape over the dial for fear of ever losing the signal.
This is what it's like listening to Richard Margison sing. He makes everything around you fall away like a card house in the breeze. He pulls you to him like a fish that couldn't help but nibble the worm. You flop in the bottom of his boat, breathless, pathetic, grateful you were caught.
The celebrated Canadian tenor headlined Edmonton Opera's season opener of Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci, a classic double bill with musical riffs familiar to even the most uneducated opera ear.
Opera fans here have been patient. Margison last appeared with this company 22 years ago in 1989... Edmonton won't want to wait so long again, especially now they've witnessed his brilliance as the legendary sad clown in Pagliacci, Leoncavallo's genius play-within-an-opera. Margison owned the role, killed it - quickly, without thought, a crime of passion. Like Canio's betrayers, the audience didn't have a chance." (Edmonton Journal, 23 October 2011)
Read
the full review here At home in Toronto as Bacchus in the Canadian Opera Company's Ariadne auf Naxos
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Lauren Segal (left), Richard Margison, Alice Coote and Teiya Kasahara |
"The Canadian tenor Richard Margison was in ringing form as Bacchus, come to rescue the abandoned leading lady. His comic appearances as a vainglorious tenor in the Prologue were the most amusing of the night." (National Post, 2 May 2011)
"Richard Margison is a first-class Bacchus/The Tenor, whose substantial, ringing sound and limber upper range made the role of egotistic-yet-nameless opera star utterly believable, and therefore all the more absurd and delicious." (Epoch Times, 3 May 2011)
"...magnificent tenor Richard Margison as Bacchus" (Toronto Sun, 2 May 2011)
"Richard Margison in fine heroic form as the god Bacchus." (Eye Weekly, 2 May 2011)
"Outstanding" O'Brien in Maazel's 1984 in
Valencia
"The Canadian tenor was in his element in Valencia in a truly memorable performance. Musically, he was confident and fully in command of all his high notes. Theatrically, he was powerful throughout, particularly in the mission statement of Act II - "Which of us knows another heart?" - and during the sadistic events of Act III." (Opera Canada, Summer 2011)
"The great Nancy Gustafson, as Julia, and the baritone Michael Anthony McGee as Winston Smith lead a sensational ensemble, with outstanding performances by Richard Margison and Silvia Vazquez." (Ine, 25 February 2011)
"The two tenors, Margison and Syme marveled in multiple respects, but especially the first one by the power and firmness of their issuance, the second by incredible highs." (Levante, February 25, 2011)
"The veteran Richard Margison as O'Brien...sings with an impressive sureness." (Las Provincias, 25 February 2011)
Richard rings in the New Year with an evening of opera arias with orchestra:
Bravissimo!
"Margison was his reliable, Stentorian self, dispatching the Greatest Tenor Hits with seeming ease. He brought down the house with "Nessun dorma" from Giacomo Puccini's Turandot - adding a dramatic flourish by unlacing his white tie and tossing it into the audience before starting the aria." (Toronto Star, 31 December 2010)
A "Powerful" Cavaradossi in Manitoba Opera's Tosca
"Wendy Nielsen as Tosca and Richard Margison as artist Cavaradossi portrayed the tragic figures with realism and relish. Margison hasn't lost a step as his extensive career continues. With a tenor voice that's easy to listen to, he floated effortlessly to his upper range in Recondita armonia. His wistful rendition of the celebrated aria E lucevan le stelle in the final act almost broke our hearts, his powerful voice aching with love for his adored Tosca. Convincing and touching, Margison crafted this into a real tearjerker." (Winnipeg Free Press, 22 November 2010)
New Release:
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Recorded in 2003 at the Metropolitan Opera, this sumptuous production of Ariadne auf Naxos presents Richard Margison as Bacchus and divas Deborah Voigt as Ariadne and Natalie Dessay as the flirtatious Zerbinetta.
Order it directly from the Met website: www.metoperashop.org
"Richard Margison never lets us know how difficult the role of Bacchus actually is; he sings as if it comes naturally to begin phrases on high Gs (let alone B-flats!)" (ClassicsToday.com, October 2010)
"This dramatic tenor role, with its punishing tessitura, was sung with impressive confidence by Richard Margison." (New York Times)
As Manrico in Il Trovatore with l'Opéra de Québec
"Musically speaking, the production was first rate. The clear and captivating voice of Richard Margison, who took on the title role." (Le Soleil, 24 October 2010)
"Spine-tingling" as Calaf with Opera Lyra Ottawa
"Richard Margison (is) a terrific Calaf, with perfect style, great diction and thrilling high notes. I am glad he will be with the COC for Ariadne auf Naxos later this season." (Alexander Neef, General Director of the Canadian Opera Company, 14 September 2010)
"His rendition of the famous aria Nessun dorma was rewarded with thunderous applause before the orchestra part was finished." (Ottawa Citizen, 13 September 2010)
"Star Canadian tenor Richard Margison, on opening night was in superb voice as Calaf. Margison's sound was full, warm and spine-tingling. He brought down the house with a soaring rendition of Nessun dorma. He and Phillips also worked nicely together, particularly in their demanding final scene. It was nice to see one of Canada's leading singers in a full opera production in Ottawa, performing a signature role he has sung at the Met, Covent Garden and with companies around the world." (ClassicalOttawa, 13 September 2010)
"The timing of the opening night party for Opera Lyra Ottawa's Turandot couldn't have been better. It got going just as the goosebumps had faded from hearing Canadian tenor Richard Margison sing the famous opera number Nessun Dorma." (Around Town (Ottawa Citizen), 13 September 2010)
"The production belongs to Margison as Calaf. He's played the role more than 400 times, so he knows what he's doing and, not surprisingly, sings beautifully and knows it. (Ottawa Sun, 10 September 2010)
Richard Margison Celebrates Canada
Richard's 2010-2011 journey to celebrate his Canadian roots begins in
Ottawa, Saturday September 11, starring as Calàf in Turandot.
Read about
his other performances here
"Impressive debut" at the Guangzhou Opera
House
"Rather than an impetuous Prince, Richard Margison's Calaf revealed both vocally and dramatically the calculated determination of a man who knows how to get what he wants." (Financial Times, 11 May 2010)
From Canada to China with Opera!
Richard opens bold New Opera House in Guangzhou
May
6, 8 2010
The stunning new architectural marvel celebrates its opening with an inaugural
performance of Puccini's Turandot in which Richard takes on one of his
most famous roles, Calaf.
Richard was joined on stage by soprano Anna Shafajinskaya as Turandot, Cristina Gallardo-Domas sings Liu, and with Maestro Lorin Maazel on the podium.
Richard's documentary up for a Golden Sheaf Award!
Richard Margison: Folk Singing Opera Star received a nomination for a 2010 Golden Sheaf Award in the Documentary Biography category. The awards will be handed out at the Yorkton Film Festival, which runs May 27-30, 2010. Check back for news!
In concert with fellow Opera Superstars for Arizona Opera
"Richard Margison delved into Puccini for 'Nessun dorma' from Turandot and concluded with the Prize Song from Die Meistersinger. He delivered both selections with keen intelligence and blazing high notes... [Christine Brewer] and Richard Margison then sang the duet from the last act of that same opera with great intensity and resonance." (Opera Today, 17 March 2010)
"[Gordon Hawkins's] duet with Mr. Margison - "Dio, che nell'alma" from" Don Carlo" was a highlight, showcasing the perfect matching of the two male voices. Mr. Margison's "Nessun dorma" was powerful, very well received and anticipates the "Turandot" AZ Opera has scheduled for next season." (Green Valley News, 9 March 2010)
"Canadian tenor Richard Margison...delivers an emotional and satisfactory "Nessun dorma". The voice is clean-cut and accurate." (ConcertoNet, 14 March 2010)
Richard Margison: Folk Singing Opera Star
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Catch Richard on the BRAVO! original series, Great Canadian Bios, January 24, 2010 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT . For a glimpse of the documentary filmed by Harbinger Films, check out this clip or check out the website www.thefolksingingoperastar.com |
A triumph as Pollione in the Vancouver Opera's Norma
"Richard Margison, B.C.'s own world-class tenor, filled the shoes of Norma's illicit partner Pollione with effortless grace. He had the well-rounded tones to test the Queen Elizabeth's new sound upgrade, and both could be given high marks. If anything, he may have made it sound too easy." (Tyee, 1 December 2009)
"Tenor Richard Margison, fresh from a Metropolitan Opera run of Aida, was the lusty Roman proconsul Pollione, who has left Norma for a novice, Adalgisa. Margison makes a very big sound without distortion." (Globe and Mail, 30 November 2009)
"Hasmik Papian, in the title role, mezzo Kate Aldrich as her rival Adalgisa, and tenor Richard Margison as the object of both their affections. Each was impressive on her or his own; in duets and trios, they were particularly well matched. Margison turned in a strong reading of a mono-dimensional character." (Vancouver Sun, 29 November 2009)
Richard Margison honoured twice in New York
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In October 2009 Richard received Lifetime Achievement Awards from both the The Giulio Gari Foundation and The Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation in recognition to his extraordinary career in opera. Click on the thumbnails to the right for larger images. |
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"The Other Side of Richard Margison"
Benefit Concert for the Canadian Children's Opera Company - Friday, June
12th
Joining
Richard on stage are Jean Stilwell, Lauren Margison, Errol Gay, Patti
Loach, Erin Cooper-Gay Ann Cooper Gay and The Canadian Children's Opera
Company in a varied program of opera, jazz, musical theatre, folk Music,
country, and cabaret. The concert takes place at Toronto's Crescent School
Centre for Creative Learning (2365 Bayview Avenue)
For more information visit: www.canadianchildrensopera.com
In benefit concert for Opera Kitchener
"He had an unmistakable power and vocal strength that commanded attention, though it was both the depth and breadth of expression that kept us listening. There was just enough texture to his voice, to provide uniqueness and a very natural feeling of musical traction. Throughout the evening he would invoke a tender sense of charm and wit, but also managed to plumb the depths of passion and pathos, all of which were needed before the concert was to draw to a close." (Record, 23 March 2009)
As a last minute Florestan in the COC's production of Fidelio
"I went back to see Fidelio a second time on Feb. 12, to hear Richard Margison taking on Florestan. His attack on the opening "Gott!" in his Dungeon Aria was completely pianissimo, without the typical crescendo - it makes for a very interesting effect. He sang very well and received a well deserved ovation at the end." (La Scena Musicale, 14 February 2009)
Richard Margison at his vocal peak as Bacchus
"The part of Bacchus has to be counted as the lead tenor, but he really only shows up for the love duet at the end. It, too, is a very difficult part to make convincing, but tenor Richard Margison, now reaching his vocal peak, certainly could manage the high-flying tessitura without evident strain and was able -- very gradually and with many words of entreaty -- to persuade Ariadne to leave Naxos with him, no mean feat considering Ariadne's continuing resistance." (Calgary Herald, 2 February 2009)
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Last Updated: October 26, 2011