One of the country’s busiest and most popular opera directors is going to help University of Western Ontario singers become better actors.
Michael Cavanagh will give a two-hour masterclass Friday, Oct. 29 at 1:30 p.m. in von Kuster Hall.
“He is about to do Nixon in China in San Francisco – that’s very impressive,” says professor Torin Chiles.
Cavanagh, married to Western vocal instructor Jackie Short, now lives in London. “Students get to work with someone living locally but working across the continent,” says Chiles. “They are getting experience in context, both artistic and professional. The real benefit is his method. He is a very skilled director.”
The timing is also a big benefit for students as they prepare for upcoming auditions at opera companies. Cavanagh will listen to them sing arias, then work on clarity of characterization and dramatic situation.
“He will help them communicate compellingly and honestly,” says Chiles.
The masterclass is open to the public.
Cavanagh was born and raised in Winnipeg, studied at the Hochschule für Musik in Hamburg, Germany, and served as Artistic Director of Edmonton Opera from 1998 to 2001.
He has directed scores of productions for every professional opera company in Canada, and directed many productions in the United States. A recent highlight was his 2006 Covent Garden debut, directing a new chamber opera, The Midnight Court. He has developed and staged many new pieces, such as James Rolfe’s and George Elliot Clark’s acclaimed Beatrice Chancy for The Queen of Puddings Music Theatre Company in Toronto. As a librettist Mr. Cavanagh has enjoyed critical and popular success with the productions of seven of his own operas.