Andrew Haji http://www.andrewhaji.com Tenor Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:07:10 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Rob Ford, the Opera http://www.andrewhaji.com/archives/128 http://www.andrewhaji.com/archives/128#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:10:50 +0000 Andrew http://www.andrewhaji.com/?p=128 Continue reading →]]> In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past several weeks and haven’t already heard, the University of Toronto just mounted a production of Rob Ford, the Opera as part of its annual New Music Festival. Four student composers wrote music to a libretto written by our very own Michael Patrick Albano.

It was quite an experience, especially since I got to play the title role: Rob Ford, himself! Copious amounts of hair spray paint and make-up transformed me into the spitting image of His Highness. (Check out the pictures below.)

There was an unbelievable amount of buzz surrounding this production, evidenced by the fact that we managed to fill all 800 or so seats in MacMillan Theatre for our one and only performance on Sunday, January 22nd. Here are some photos, reviews, and videos I’ve collected from various websites.

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Rob Ford: The Opera has packed crowd roaring with laughter (Toronto Star)

Rob Ford, the Opera: It’s an honour to be spoofed, right? (The Globe and Mail)

Rob Ford: Opera’s Lucky Charm (Torontoist)

People have been calling for an encore performance of the show, but given this was only really intended to be a workshop for student composers, it doesn’t seem likely to happen. In any case, it sure was a lot of fun to do.

]]> http://www.andrewhaji.com/archives/128/feed 0 Poulenc Double Bill Opens Tomorrow! http://www.andrewhaji.com/archives/41 http://www.andrewhaji.com/archives/41#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:09:26 +0000 Andrew http://new.andrewhaji.com/?p=41 Continue reading →]]> The University of Toronto’s production of Poulenc’s La voix humaine and Les mamelles de Tirésias opens in less than 24 hours! We’ve been working on the show for many weeks and I’m excited to finally perform it in front of an audience tomorrow.

On Thursday and Saturday I perform the role of the reporter from Paris, and on Friday and Sunday I will be the drunk Monsieur Lacouf, “friend” of Monsieur Presto. Here are a few photos to whet your appetite, courtesy of Bob Dunkin:

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