Arctic – COR

COR

Operas

Content warning: illness, death, colonialism

Facing South is inspired by the life story of American Arctic explorer, Rear Admiral Robert Edwin Peary, and his contested discovery of the North Pole in 1909. The opera takes place in the inner landscape of Peary’s mind during the last hours of his life in February 1920, as he lies dying of pernic...

Composer: Linda Catlin Smith

Librettist: Don Hannah

Harper’s Floe

A historical reenactment: Prime Minister Stephen Harper sets off to the Arctic to claim dominion over a particular ice floe. Mr. Valernikov, a Russian seal, mistakes Harper for a full-figured female seal and propositions him. After sorting out the misunderstanding, Valernikov claims Harper is in Russian waters. Harper, chagrined, tries to make h...

Composer: Norbert Palej

Librettist: Charles Hayter

COR

Excerpts

Facing South – Scene 1: “Pure Light (1909)”

Two explorers close to the north pole - the explorer Peary becomes confused.

Facing South – Scene 2: “Interior (1919)”

An ill and delirious Peary reminisces about his polar days; his wife remembers their early love.

Facing South – Scene 3: “Ice (1909)”

Peary is unsure if they have reached the North pole.

Facing South – Scene 5: “Undersea” (aria)

Minik remembers Greenland.

Facing South – Scene 6: “Meteorites (1897)”

The explorers make a plan to bring the Inuit to America to make money.

Facing South – Scene 7: “Wild Horse (1909)”

Peary and Henson once again try to confirm they are at the North pole.

Facing South – Scene 8: “Constellations”

Henson helps Minik reach the land of the dead; Peary and Josephine argue about Peary's Inuit children.

Facing South – Scene 9: “Ice”

Peary and Henson believe they have reached the North pole.

Facing South – Scene 10: “Sea Anemone” (aria)

Josephine wonders what discovery is worth.

Harper’s Floe – Harper’s Floe

While claiming sovereignty of an ice floe, Harper meets a seal, then drowns as the floe melts.

English