One of the most beloved jewels in the COC crown is the COC Ensemble Studio: Canada's premier training program for young opera professionals. Founded in 1980 with a generous continuing grant from Imperial Oil Limited and with assistance from the Government of Canada, the Ensemble Studio provides advanced instruction, hands-on experience, and the practical career development skills necessary to succeed as a self-employed artist in a highly competitive international environment.

From the multitude of vocal recitals presented through the Free Concert Series to, most recently, the blow-the-roof-off-the-opera-house performance of The Barber of Seville, members of the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio have dazzled and delighted us this year with their exceptional skill and artistry. With the conclusion of the COC’s 2014/2015 season, it’s now time for the rest of the world to get a taste of the hotbed of talent that Toronto has been home to for the last nine months.

Mark down 2014 as the year the Canadian Opera Company put out an album with Broken Social Scene and Fucked Up. No, really. Broadsheet Music: A Year in Review is a collaborative effort between the The Globe and Mail, renowned record label Arts & Crafts, and the COC to create a diverse mix of songs based on the big issues and stories that affected the lives of Canadians this past year. These songs are collected in a free album featuring original songs created by diverse artists including celebrated indie collective Broken Social Scene, Polaris Music Prize winning hardcore punk band Fucked Up, Calgary’s Reuben And The Dark, and songstress Tamara Williamson, among others.