The former CBC Radio host is now a full-time composer and performer. He has just released a new CD, "Hymns of Heaven and Earth", and his first opera, "Isis and Osiris," had its world premiere this month.
CBC Radio ·
Peter-Anthony Togni left CBC Radio to embrace the insecure life of full-time composing. He's never been happier. (Michael Creighton)
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Sunday Edition32:00Making music with Peter-Anthony Togni
Becoming a composer in Canada is tough - even if you're successful. Someone once joked it's like choosing to become a kamikaze pilot. Which is why many of Peter-Anthony Togni's colleagues were perplexed when he left his CBC day job, to apply himself full-time to his own music. After all, during his twenty-plus years at the CBC, Peter was the voice of numerous beloved Radio Two music programs, including Stereo Morning, Choral Concert, That Time of the Night and Weekender.
As it turns out, his decision has been a gift to Canadian music. Peter's composition "Responsio" was awarded the Masterworks Arts Award by the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia in 2014, and was nominated for a Juno award. His new CD, "Hymns of Heaven and Earth", has just been released. And he has written the music for his first opera, "Isis and Osiris", in collaboration with the Canadian librettist Sharon Singer, for Voicebox Opera in Toronto.
Isis (Lucia Cesaroni) and Seth (Michael Nyby) in the opera "Isis and Osiris - Gods of Egypt"; Jane Mallett Theatre, March 31, 2016 (Gary Beechey)
Peter tells Michael how he "orchestrated" his transition from CBC host to composer.
