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ARTS 'Fairytale' continues for budding o~ Warner to sing Iead role in Cendrillon,;joins Cal gary Opera thisfall By Stephanie Hounseli CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF T his weekend, opera singer Cassandra Wamner will take to the stage in fairytale fashion, no doubt bedecked in a sumptuous bail gown and sur- rounded hy a set thats nothing short of cnchanting. She'lI dance the nrght away witb ber prince charming until the stroke of midnight. "It's absnlutely gorgeons.,' Warner said of julIes Massects Cendrillon, I be C underella Story "Its completely lusb musically (and) bas beautiful costumes. Its a sparkly fairy- tale." But the truc magic of the performance will bave notbing to do with Wamner's dress or a glass slipper tbat fits; just right. Itîl be the voice of the 25-year-oîd mezzo- soprano. Warner will sing the lead role of Cmnderella in the Glenn Gould Scbool per- formance Sunday at 2 p.m. and next Tbursday at 7:30 p.m. at tbe new Koerner Hall in Tbe Royal Conservatorys TELUS Centre, 273 Bloor St. W (at Avenue Road), in Toronto. PHOTO COURTESY 0F TIM LEYES NEW CHALLENGE AWAITS: Though sad to be leaving The Royal Conservatorys Glenn Gould School, Cassandra Warner eagerly awaits the next chapter in her opera singing career which Wil corne with the Calgary Opera. Fareweli performance for VIPs and appear on TV and radio. Warner bas been featured on CBC televi- It'l be a bittersweet experience, marking "l've been pretty fortunate," she said. sion and radio, as well as Torontos Classical Warner's last performance with The Royal She migbt even be tempted to, wonder if 96.3FM. In 2007, she toured China with Conservatory's Glenn Gould Sebool, wbere things have gone a little too well. Will ber vocal trio Tbe Divas, wbose performance she's been studying for the past five years, carniage tum into a pumpkin? was broadcast nationwide on TV and radio. earning ber performance diploma. Fortunately, she bas an overriding sense She had ber principal debut at Opera In October, ber career as a professional shes exactly wbere shes supposed to be, Atelier last faîl and performed at tbe Elgin opera singer will officially begin as she joins doing wbat shes supposed to, do - wbetber Tbeatre - an unusual feat for someone se, the Calgary Opera. of ber own making or witb some belp from young. Wamner is the first to, admit ber life over sometbing bigger. 'At the ripe old age of 24, 1 made my pro- the past few years bas been somnetbing of a 1I balf believe in fate, balf believe its wbat fessional debut. Thats actually quite fairytale, witb ber opera career affording ber you make of lîfe," she said. unheard of. There aren't many people wbo opportunities to travel across the world, sing Accolades irre in no short order, break in that early," she explained. 3era singer' She's also the recipient of Glenn Gould nm School's highest scholarship in voice. > Growing up, Warner was involved in 3 music, particularly in school, although flot 0 vocally. She played piano and alto saxophone, recciving encouragement from music teach- ers at Stewarttown Middle Scbool and Milton District High School, wbere she played in jazz bands. Sbc was also ins'olved in sports, and actu- ~ ally dreamed of hcmng a îprolessional soccer playcr. [bat drcain %vas set aside after she sustained a knc rtjury to\ward the end of high school. Discovers new passion Finding somce extra trne on bier hands. Warli'!i cic Io eii.'ign c.o' Ilbt Iii i(r 15 q i l ds ic iijiur. blig she sad. -1 found mx self ver> quickly sky- rocketed into this rcalmr of mnusic." She was taken witb the way opera brings together many art forms including singing, acting, dancing and set design. "It really is a scnsory explosion," she said. "It's like nothing cîse." Wamner's mom, Lina, couldn't be more proud. "'We're very excited for her," Lina said. "We had no idea ber voice would take ber to, where sbes at now" Warner bopes more people will give opera a try, maybe even starting by attending Cendrillon. Opera, she said, isn't some "bhoity-toity" thing for the upper classes. "ýOpera is for the people," she said. Altbough Cendrillon is sung in French, there are Englisb subtities - not that they're necessary, Wamer said, explaining that as with any opera, the story can be feit even if it can't be understood word for word. Tickets cost $10, $20 and $30 and are available by calling (416) 408-0208 or visit- ing www.rcmnusic.ca. Stephanie Hounseli can be reached at sthiessenCarniltoncanadianchampion. com. 276 Main 5t E., Milton at Commercial St. e www.acounvrymile.ca 905-878-1070 i