News & Reviews
Prix OPUS for Dead Man Walking
The Opéra de Montréal’s production of Heggie’s Dead Man Walking was named the Musical Event of the Year (2012-2013) at the annual Gala announcing the winners of the Prix Opus, held on January 26th at the Bourgie du Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal.
Allyson on her Oshawa homecoming
Allyson spoke with Durham Region’s Mike Ruta about her upcoming Christmas concert on December 8th with the Durham Philharmonic Choir and growing up in Oshawa.
“Captivating” as Isabella in the Calgary Opera’s production of The Italian Girl in Algiers
“The production has an Isabella (the title role) in mezzo-soprano Allyson McHardy. McHardy has a wideranging voice of the lyric-mezzo type, and she had no difficulty with the constant florid writing, nor with the extreme top and bottom notes she needs for the role. She also commanded the stage beautifully in her mixture of hauteur and sentiment, and she was totally captivating as the lead figure. She was especially successful in the brilliant final aria.” (Calgary Herald, 18 November 2013)
New CD Available Now: The complete version of Handel’s Orlando
The complete version of Orlando, considered to be one of Handel’s most successful operas, is presented for the first time on a Canadian label, ATMA Classique. Joining Allyson are the English countertenor Owen Willetts, American soprano Amanda Forsythe, and Canadians Karina Gauvin, and Nathan Berg.
Just Announced: Allyson McHardy Nominated for a Wilde Award
Congratulations to Allyson McHardy on her nomination for a Wilde Award for her performance as Cornelia in Michigan Opera Theatre’s “Julius Caesar”. Now in its 12th year, The Wilde Awards honour the best productions, performances and technical work produced or presented by professional theaters across the state of Michigan. Winners will be announced on Monday, August 19.
Praise for Allyson as Sister Helen Prejean in the Opéra de Montréal production of Dean Man Walking
The singing was magnificent tonight. Sister Prejean (McHardy) had an immense amount of singing throughout the night, and her expressive and demonstrative voice never showed signs of wear. She acted marvelously as well – not an easy task when portraying an Elvis-loving nun with a sharp, dry wit.” (Bachtrack, 11 March 2013)
Allyson speaks with Joseph So about her upcoming role debut as Sister Helen Prejean in Dean Man Walking at the Opéra de Montréal
Download the PDF of la Scena Musicale of March 2013
Allyson on the “Allure of Carmen” for TSN
Allyson speaks (and sings!) for TSN’s feature on the appeal of music from Carmen in the sport of figure skating. The video was presented during the channel’s coverage of the Canadian Figure Skating Championships. Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir captured their fifth national ice dance title with their highly popular free dance program set to music from Carmen.
At the Opéra de Montréal’s annual Gala
“The most moving performance? Allyson McHardy’s total involvement in ‘D’amour, l’ardente flamme’, an excerpt from Berlioz’s The Damnation of Faust, that succeeded, in complete simplicity, to reveal the visceral depth of Marguerite’s emotion. ” (Le Soleil, 7 December 2012)
Read what the critics are saying about Allyson’s Cornelia in Giulio Cesare with MOT
“As Cornelia, the Roman widow of murdered Pompeo, Allyson McHardy has a major mezzo voice with great color and warmth.” (Encore Michigan, 11 November 2012)
Ever wonder what Rossini’s famous aria “Una voce poco fa” from Il barbiere di Siviglia sounds like with a little Bluegrass mixed in?
Hear Allyson bring it to the 5th Annual Global Cabaret Festival as part of their Night at the Popera on October 13 & 14.
Listen to Radio-Canada’s Espace Musique on Wednesday August 15th at 8pm for a broadcast of Allyson’s performance of Handel arias
Listen to Radio-Canada’s Espace Musique on Wednesday August 15th at 8pm for a broadcast of Allyson’s performance of Handel arias and the Pergolesi Stabat Mater from the 2012 Lamèque International Baroque Music Festival.