Old Toronto

Since I lived here in Toronto more than 15 years ago there has been a splendid development of a decayed industrial site (left) called the Distillery, just a few steps from the Canadian Opera Company's wonderful Tanenbaum Center which houses their spacious offices, rehearsal rooms and workshops.  I went to lunch in the distillery yesterday before my auditions - the development is far from finished but this is already a lively area with some excellent cafes, shops, and performance spaces.  This will become as busy as a place as London's Covent Garden became when the old flower market moved and the whole place became a prime tourist destination. 

The auditions yesterday once again revealed the depth and breadth of Canadian talent.  And today I will hear the COC Ensemble members - these are the creme de la creme of the current crop.  We shall see - and hear!