News & Reviews
Find out what the critics are saying about Allyson’s Juno/Ino
“…mezzo Allyson McHardy is all creamy, dark magic as Jupiter’s jealous wife, Juno (and Ino, Semele’s sister).” (Toronto Star, 10 May 2012)
“…mezzo-soprano Allyson McHardy[‘s] gutsy singing took full measure of the goddess’s wrath.” (Globe and Mail, 10 May 2012)
Allyson opens tonight as Juno and Ino in the Canadian Opera Company’s Semele
Allyson Hosts CBC Radio 2’s This is My Music, March 10, 2012
Join Allyson on Saturday, March 10th 10:00 a.m. (11:00 AT, 11:30 NT) as she hosts CBC Radio 2’s celebrated show This is My Music. Find out what kind of music Allyson likes to listen to along with stories and anecdotes about her life and career.
Reviews of Allyson’s debut as Carmen with Pacific Opera
“Mezzo-soprano Allyson McHardy is singing the title role for the first time here. Her Carmen is proud and defiant, languidly sensual but also quick to ignite, though fundamentally decent, and there is both smoke and fire in her voice.” (Times Colonist, 18 February 2012)
Allyson is in Victoria getting ready for Carmen with Pacific Opera – Check out the following interviews:
Victoria Times Colonist – Allyson speaks with Amy Smart about her path (PDF) and what type of music she prefers to listen to.
CTV Vancouver Island — watch Allyson talk about channeling AC/DC in her performance as Carmen!
La Conversione di Clodoveo JUNO Nomination!
Allyson's recording of Caldara's La Conversione di Clodoveo with Le Nouvel Opéra (ATMA) is up for Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral Performance at the 2012 JUNO Awards. The awards will be handed out at ceremonies in Ottawa on March 31st and April 1st. For...
Allyson captivates in Toronto as Dejanira Handel’s Hercules with Tafelmusik!
“…particular kudos go to Toronto mezzo Allyson McHardy, who dazzled as Dejanira. McHardy’s voice is pure, fragrant, dark buckwheat honey – just the ticket for a particularly demanding role. Paired with dramatically riveting and technically impeccable renditions of Handel’s bravura arias for a character walking the tightrope between sanity and madness, this mezzo captivated from the moment she sang her first note.” (Toronto Star, 19 January 2012)
Amadis de Gaule to be broadcast on France Musique!
Those who can’t make it to Paris to catch Allyson in her acclaimed role as Arcabonne in Amadis de Gaule’s have a chance to hear it on Saturday, January 21st starting at 7:30pm (local time in Paris) on the France Musique website.
Allyson debuts at the Opéra Comique! She reprises the role of Arcabonne in JC Bach’s Amadis de Gaule
“Also reason to celebrate, Allyson McHardy, who doubles as the wicked fairy Morgane, an impressive force in both sadness and in anger…” (La Croix, 2 January 2012)
“Allyson McHardy’s fiery Arcabonne delivers the goods.” (Financial Times, 5 January 2012)
A magnificent debut as Arcabonne in JC Bach’s rarely staged opera Amadis de Gaule at the Château de Versailles
“the excellent Allyson McHardy in the role of Arcabonne. From the liveliest fury to the very intense sentiments of love, Allyson McHardy perfectly incarnates this ambiguous character.She reveals with great accuracy the complexity of a character that the music of Johann Christian Bach has perfectly designed.” (ConcertoNet, 12 December 2011)