For over five years @erinsopran.bsky.social and I have been planning this album, our opera company’s debut album!
5 one-act 🇨🇦 operas, the operas of Monica Pearce. leaf-music.lnk.to/lm279
“Here we are, six years after every province and territory in Canada declared states of emergency because of #COVID19, and yet we have not learned basic lessons from the pandemic.” 🦠
A woman in a mask Headline: Why Do Some People Still Wear Masks In 2026 And On A Completely Unrelated Note Why Is Everyone In The Office Sick Right Now Apart From The Guy In The Mask? Story from Jerk Wingley and Terramin Defishunsee Photo from Adobe
Why Do Some People Still Wear Masks In 2026 And On A Completely Unrelated Note Why Is Everyone In The Office Sick Right Now Apart From The Guy In The Mask?
On a snowy Toronto evening in February 15 (!) years ago today, we had our first show: Le Nozze di Figaro!
To celebrate, we’re sharing the cover art and to pre-save link for our debut album: leaf-music.lnk.to/lm279
The album is out April 17!
@erinsopran.bsky.social @maureenbattsoprano.bsky.social
During / when we had / when we were restricted could also work.
There were times when I wasn’t allowed to drive even 5km from my home unless for work.
More thoughts: I love the word protection instead of precaution. And I think of the restriction times as protection rather than restriction.
I absolutely believe people (perhaps out of survival or trauma response) have clung to language that reflects them individually. And what has gone missing is community care and awareness of others. Language shifts can have meaningful impact; they can result in change.
No matter your sector, this is an important shift to make. It is especially pertinent if you are facing cuts and you hope people will stay healthy and safe in your workplaces and gatherings.
Photo of flowers with purple highlighted text overlayed saying: thumbs down post-pandemic, thumbs down during COVID, thumbs down post COVID, thumbs up post 2020-2021, thumbs up during lockdowns, thumbs up post lockdowns.
Reminder and suggestions for language shifts.
We’re not post-Covid. Covid is ever-present and doing its (not-great) thing. If we are at all interested in being inclusive and accessible in our world and work, we need to remember that we share air.
⚰️
Happy New Year! … a thing people say. September always feels like the new year for me. Anyone else?
Hello, 2026!
Wishing for a gentle January - or as gentle as possible.
Tragic and epic. Keep me posted.
Omg he found it!
Wanna watch a super cute film while also supporting our opera company?!
BONUS CONTENT!
This month only, you can watch our adorable queer 🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈 holiday 🎄rom-com 👩❤️💋👨 film 🍿 when you buy the EP: essentialopera.bandcamp.com/album/decemb...
As heard on CBC Music!
#opera #classical #musicaltheater #newmusic
Happy World Opera Day!
On December 5, 2025, we’re releasing the EP of “December” by Monica Pearce on Leaf Music!
PRE-SAVE LINK: leaf-music.lnk.to/lm2049
A one-act portrayal of love and belonging amid travel angst and the turbulence of holidays + family. ✨🌈🏡
#WorldOperaDay #CanadianOpera
Graphic with image and text. A woman wearing an N95 mask is on the left of the graphic. To her right, text reads: You can help influence health care safety policy today.
Text-based graphic with a navy blue background, a scattering of slightly lighter blue dots, and the Canadian Covid Society logo centred at the bottom. The text on the image reads: The CSA standard for the use of respirators is being updated, and the new edition would require respirators be worn by health care workers (with a few exceptions).
Text-based graphic with a navy blue background, a scattering of slightly lighter blue dots, and the Canadian Covid Society logo centred at the bottom. The text on the image reads: CSA Standards often inform policy development, so this is a huge step forward in making health care safer for staff — and, by extension, patients.
Text-based graphic with a navy blue background, a scattering of slightly lighter blue dots, and the Canadian Covid Society logo centred at the bottom. The text on the image reads: Tell the CSA you support the draft standard by August 19th!
Even a quick comment of support matters. But if you want to go deeper, our friends at DoNoHarm BC have created an excellent guide to commenting: donoharmbc.ca/national-sta...
Take action now —> Submit your comments on Z94.4 here: publicreview.csa.ca
Most importantly. The revised CSA standard is open for public comment until Aug 19. If you can only do 1 thing, please do the public comment via CSA. A guide for how to do this is available from @donoharmbc.bsky.social donoharmbc.ca
We are facing considerable pushback from jerks like Lilley & IPAC
So let’s see how many drops of water we can save. Because we can. Because we care. Because we want there to be water tomorrow.
And let’s see how many infections we can stop. Because we can. Because we care. Because… you get it.
Community care.
Testing, masking, cleaning the air. Every effort & every person making effort has great communal impact.
Do you own a mask? And does it fit (face seal/no gaps)? That’s a great place to start. Since we can also have covid with no symptoms, it’s so important to act with care in mind.
Community care.
I’ve been thinking about the voluntary water conservation request in Halifax. And how if everyone does even a little tiny bit, it’ll make a difference.
And then I long for people to think this way about COVID and other airborne illnesses. A little masking goes a long way.
Poster with a big moon in the centre. In the centre of the moon is a light silhouette of two children walking hand in hand through a forest. Graphics are a combination of navy, grass green, light blue, and white. Text reads Memories Beyond the Grave Sat May 31 at 8pm Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts.
A white graphic with blue and green headings. Text is a short summary of the opera.
Tix and more info here:
openears.ca/event/memori...
#OE25 #TuneIn
#CanadianOpera
@dougmacnaughton.bsky.social
Showtime indeed! ONE NIGHT ONLY in #Kitchener #Waterloo at the Open Ears Festival #OE25
Doug and I have spent the week with the amazing creative team diving back into the tale of these two siblings with lush, layers of music and storytelling.
Join us tonight @8pm! #CanadianOpera #Chateaubriand
Big news👇👇👇
Congrats!!!
My journal will have fresh decorations soon.
Collage on backgrounds of coral, pink, lilac, blue, and beige. Text: Heading to the rock this week for the ECMAs! Who's going to be there??! 2025 ECMA Classical Showcase co-presented by Canadian Music Centre and Debut Atlantic May 10, 2025 Performances by Ben Diamond Blackwood India Gailey Essential Opera Jennifer King Logos from Debut Atlantic, ECMA, CMC DF Cook Recital Hall, Memorial University Doors open 2:30 Free Event There are a few translucent Instagram handles near names of people and organizations. Photo of Erin and Maureen, co-founders of Essential Opera, posed like frenemies in a sitcom, wearing sequined dresses. Erin (L) is a white woman in black with brown hair and glasses, Maureen (R) is a white woman in gold with red hair.
We're heading to the Rock this week for the East Coast Music Awards & conference. Hit us up for stickers.
Showcase 3pm Saturday May 10 at Memorial!
Delighting in a rewatch of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Just watched the Lindas in HR episode. 👶😆
My actions? Or the emoji? It just took me that long to remember to do the update (#adhd) and obviously I couldn’t just not follow up (#ibid).
…
