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OVERVIEW
| Role | Voice Type | Range ? | Character Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deirdre | high | A foundling girl, ward of Conochar | |
| Prince Naisi | middle | Prince of Ullah, son of Usnagh | |
| King Conochar | middle-low | King of Ullah | |
| Levercham | middle-high | Deirdre's nurse | |
| A Woman | middle-high | A helper to Levercham | |
| Cathva | low | Druid high priest | |
| Fergus | low | Stepfather of Conochar, ex-king of Ullah | |
| Fighter | low | ||
| Spy | low | ||
| Chorus | middle-high | SATB |
SYNOPSIS
- Carl Morey, The Canadian Encyclopedia
MUSIC DESCRIPTION
- Carl Morey, The Canadian Encyclopedia
PREMIERE PRODUCTION INFORMATION
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Deirdre (Double cast) | Jeannette Zarou |
| Deirdre (Double cast) | Lillian Sukis |
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Design | Lawrence Schafer |
SUBSEQUENT PRODUCTION INFORMATION
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Deirdre | Jeannette Zarou |
Cast:
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Cathva | Jean-Pierre Favreau |
| Conochar | Ronald Patton |
| Fergus | Edouard Montpetit |
| Naisi | Lary Benson |
| Giffen | Spy Franklyn |
| Ormos | Fighter C. Patrick |
| Looman | Deirdre (Double cast) Carol Ann |
| Fraser | Deirdre (Double cast) Iris |
| Laferrière | Levercham (Double cast) Marie |
| Mellis | Levercham (Double cast) Andrea |
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Music Director | Alfred Strombergs |
| Director | Andrew Downie |
| Set Designer | John W. Graham |
| Costume Designer | Liliane Johnson |
| Lighting Designer | David Hignell |
| Stage Manager | David Walsh |
Cast:
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Deirdre (Double cast) | Ingrid Attrot |
| Deirdre (Double cast) | Adele Kozak |
CREATION
QUOTATIONS FROM CREATIVE TEAM
The legend of Deirdre and the Sons of Usnagh is from the saga of the Red Branch Knights of Ulster - an order of chivalry in the druidic pre-Christian era. The Red Branch House was at Avan Macha, or Emania, on the site of the present Navan Fort near Armagh, the city which is still the ecclesiastical capital of Ulster and all of Ireland. The Ulster of today, Northern Ireland, was then Ullah; the Scotland of today was Alba.
The ruthless and ambitious Conochar - Conor-mac-Nessa - had been made king when his mother, Nessa, induced the old king, Fergus, as the price of marrying her, to abdicate in favour of her son. A druid prophecy had foretold the doom of Conochar and the fate of Naisi and his brothers, sons of Usnagh, through love of the foundling girl, Deirdre. The tragic fulfillment of that prophecy is the story of the opera.
- John Coulter
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
MEDIA
PRODUCTION PHOTOS
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