(Text and Pictures by TWS member Joseph So)

Here are a few photos from the Toronto Wagner Society meeting last evening at the Arts and Letters Club. Frances, our TWS President, interviewed COC Music Director Johannes Debus. For nearly two hours – which is longer than usual – we were riveted by the highly intelligent and nuanced Q&A, first from Frances and then from members in the audience. Johannes answered all questions with his special blend of insight, sincerity, and quiet, understated humour. He spoke at length about his early training, his chance engagement at the COC as an emergency fill-in for War and Peace, his philosophy of conducting, interactions with singers, etc etc. It was a very interesting session. Even the great Bryan Epperson, principal cello at the COC and 13 years at Santa Fe Opera in the summer, showed up to pay tribute to Johannes. The two individual photos will show Johannes’ reaction to Bryan’s words. A modest maestro, touched by the tribute of one of his musicians.