News & Reviews
Opera Atelier’s Actéon and Pygmalion
"Allyson McHardy’s brief performance of Pygmalion’s jilted love interest Céphise was at once sympathetically alluring as it was entirely dominant of the action. After hearing McHardy, I wanted an opera entirely about her character. Not enough is written about the...
As Smeton in Donizetti’s Anna Bolena at the Canadian Opera Company
“Allyson McHardy brings exceptional vocals to Smeton, the young musician in love with the queen. Her aria near the end of the first act is exquisite - showcasing her dynamic range and ease in coloratura.” (Broadway World, 7 May 2018) “Canadian mezzo-soprano Allyson...
Watch the TSO’s performance of Afghanistan: Requiem for a Generation on YouTube
To commemorate Remembrance Day, the TSO presented Afghanistan: Requiem for a Generation, by Canadian composer Jeffrey Ryan and Suzanne Steele, Canada’s war poet in Afghanistan. The full concert is available on YouTube until April 13: https://youtu.be/eDdgwnPYzdA.
“Your Welcome, Rossini”
“McHardy is a mezzo with a rich voice, darker in colour , beautifully expressive.” (Toronto Concert Reviews, March 18, 2018)
Afghanistan: Requiem for a Generation
“Allyson had the most lyrical music of the soloists and made the most of it.”
(Opera Ramblings, November 10th, 2017)
Mentorship with Iranian soprano Shahrzad Dastoornezhad
Allyson is thrilled to announce the beginning of her mentorship with Iranian soprano Shahrzad Dastoornezhad under the Toronto Arts Council Newcomer and Refugee Artist Mentorship program.
The Ligeti Requiem with Ludovic Morlot and the Seattle Symphony
“Stepping forward for the Sequentia were soprano Audrey Luna and mezzo Allyson McHardy to heroically accomplish the vocal cliff-diving of Ligeti’s absurdly spaced intervals…McHardy brought a fullness and warmth that hinted at a vanished world of comfort.” (Backtrack, June 25 2017)
Review of Mahler 2 with the Niagara Symphony
“Allyson McHardy’s mezzo-soprano was warm and inviting. She began the fourth movement with the gentle caress of her voice. Her interpretation of the fifth-movement text “Dein ist, ja dein” was strong and certain.” (The Whole Note, May 24 2017)
Mozart’s Requiem with the National Arts Centre Orchestra and Maestro John Storgards
“…Allyson McHardy’s attractive, blue-suede mezzo..” (Artsfile, May 17 2017)
Dora Nominations for Louis Riel
The Canadian Opera Company’s production of Louis Riel has been nominated in multiple categories for the 2017 Dora awards, including Peter Hinton for Outstanding Direction, Russell Braun for Outstanding Male Performance and Outstanding Ensemble Performance.
As Julie Riel in Harry Somers’ Louis Riel at the Canadian Opera Company with Johannes Debus conducting
“Russell Braun (As Riel) was extremely powerful all evening. As was Allyson McHardy as Riel’s mother, adding the lustre of her beautiful mezzo-soprano to the powerful maternalism of her character.” (Globe and Mail, April 21 20170)
Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis
Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis with the LA Master Chorale and Grant Gershon.
“Allyson McHardy’s plangent mezzo-soprano was heartwarming in Agnus Dei.”
(Classical Voice, January 23 2017)