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    Canadian Opera Resource
    Canadian Opera Resource
    COR
    Excerpts
    Noor Over Afghan – Scene 6

    In bed, Rafique and Noor separately wonder how to get out of their situation.

    Noor Over Afghan – Scene 7: Desert (aria)

    In a letter, Jaan asks if Noor still loves her.

    Noor Over Afghan – Scene 8

    Receiving Jaan's letter, Noor forgives her sister. Noor and Rafique decide they will try to remain friends.

    The Enslavement and Liberation of Oksana G. – Prologue

    Sofiya and Yuri take their infant daughter Oksana to have her horoscope read by Asa, who predicts that "freedom invades her future."

    The Enslavement and Liberation of Oksana G. – Act 1, Scene 1

    Though others are at first suspicious, Russian Konstantin convinces Ukranian teenagers Nataliya and Oksana to come work for him at a hotel in Romania for the summer.

    The Enslavement and Liberation of Oksana G. – Act 1, Scene 3

    Sofiya goes to Asa to have her cards read for news of Oksana. The police will not treat Oksana's disappearance as crime, as she went with the men willingly. The cards say Oksana has been robbed of her soul.

    The Enslavement and Liberation of Oksana G. – Act 1, Scene 5

    Pavlo checks in with Sofyia and Yuri for news; Sofiya and Yuri argue & blame each other for letting Oksana go.

    The Enslavement and Liberation of Oksana G. – Act 2, Scene 2

    Asa and Sofiya are checking the cards. Pavlo arrives with the news that a priest called from Italy to say that Oksana is alive, but there is no sign of Natalyia.

    The Enslavement and Liberation of Oksana G. – Act 2, Scene 5

    Father Alexander and Oksana realize they share an attraction for each other, but Oksana is determined to go home and tell her parents what has happened. Konstantin phones the refuge to get Oksana back.

    The Enslavement and Liberation of Oksana G. – Act 3, Scene 1

    Pavlo reads Oksana's letter to her parents telling them she'll be home on November 8, her birthday. They are thrilled, and get carried away planning a party for her.

    The Enslavement and Liberation of Oksana G. – Act 3, Scene 5

    Sofiya and Yuri consult Asa when Oksana has not arrived as her lettered promised. They are interrupted by Pavlo with news that the priest from Italy is on the phone, and wants to talk to Oksana's parents.

    Playing Ball – Playing Ball

    Tabitha helps her father Ken, who has had a stroke. She combs his hair and helps him with his therapy ball, retrieving it each time he drops it.

    Pub Operas (The Sloans Project) – Charm

    A father befriends the man who murdered his daughter but eluded the police, plotting revenge in the process.

    Pub Operas (The Sloans Project) – Young Love

    On the wedding day of the young couple from the first scene, the now-sober old man arrives with a surprise: his wife. And they want their ring back.

    Rip – Rip

    Peter is leaving Carla for another woman. Carla, sensing she will have a breakdown if he leaves, insists that he take their son to live with him.

    Rocking Horse Winner – Scene 1: Ava at the piano (aria)

    A waltz is cut short. Ava discloses how far she’s fallen, and how difficult she finds caring for her son.

    Rocking Horse Winner – Scene 2: Ava and Paul talk about luck

    Paul is curious about why he and his mother don’t have a car, and Ava explains it’s because they’re poor. Paul again asks why that’s so, and Ava states it’s because his father has no luck. Paul announces that he is lucky.

    Rocking Horse Winner – Scene 3: Paul rides his Rocking Horse

    Paul creeps upstairs and rides his rocking horse, asking it to take him to where luck is. He rides faster and faster and at the peak, shouts a name: Daffodil.

    Rocking Horse Winner – Scene 4: Paul tells Uncle Oscar his Secret

    Uncle Oscar enters, having heard the noise, and asks Paul what’s going on. Paul reveals his secret: the rocking horse is lucky, and tells him the names of race horses. Oscar calls in Paul’s caretaker, Bassett, who admits that Paul tells him the names of winning race horses. The three head to the races to prove it.

    Rocking Horse Winner – Scene 6: Paul tells Oscar about the House (duet)

    Paul tells Oscar he hopes the winnings will stop the house from singing. Paul hears “her” sing of how there’s never enough, how there must be more. He makes Oscar promise not to tell his mother about where the money comes from; it might ruin the luck. Oscar tells him to never stop riding.

    Rocking Horse Winner – Scene 7: Ava and Paul at the piano

    Paul asks his mother why she always sings sad songs and if she knows anything happier. Ava rebukes him. She expresses profound regret for the stupidity and vanity of her youth. The world only smiles for the young, she says. Paul hopes she’ll smile for her birthday tomorrow, but she does not. At her birthday party, Oscar gives her the winnings...

    Rocking Horse Winner – Scene 9: The Money Gets Spent

    The predictions keep coming true, and the money keeps coming. The money gets spent, and Paul keeps riding. All the while the house is getting filled with finery. But it keeps singing. There must be more, but Paul’s luck falters as his energy wanes.

    Rocking Horse Winner – Scene 11: Paul dies

    The last ride has left Paul gravely ill. Oscar and Bassett tell him they bet it all, and they’re set for life. Paul asks his mother if she’ll finally be happy- finally smile. She does, but as they leave his room to celebrate, Paul hears the house whisper. There must be more. Paul is desperate, and crawls to his rocking horse for more luck, mo...

    Rocking Horse Winner – “Now I’m All Nerves” (aria)

    Ava bemoans Paul's lack of understanding, and her need for luxury.

    Rocking Horse Winner – Scene 5

    Paul is nearly overwhelmed by the noise, but manages. Oscar and Bassett place their bets on Daffodil. Bassett takes the role of a race announcer, and the three watch Paul’s prediction come true. The three sing of how this will change everything.

    Rosa – “Every day I blistered my hands…” (duet)

    Hector and Isabelle express their resentment towards each other for the sacrifices they each made.

    Shanawdithit – “Out of this world” (aria)

    Shanawdithit, dying, speaks to her ancestors. She is ready to leave this world.

    Shanawdithit – Scene 2

    Cormack’s study in St. John’s, now Shanawdithit’s room. “Nancy April” reveals she can speak English quite well, and tells Cormack her real name: Shanawdithit. Cormack asks her where the rest of her people are, where her home is. Shanawdithit says simply: they are no more. Shanawdithit reflects on the loss of her people and the taking of her a...

    Shanawdithit – Scene 4

    The taking of Demasduit weighs heavy on Shanawdithit’s heart. Cormack, unsure of what to do, tries to comfort her, saying Demasduit was treated well. Shawnadithit asks if white people actually care about her people, her story, because Cormack’s words are betrayed by the actions of his fellows, and indeed, his own. Cormack insists he will ensu...

    Shanawdithit – Scene 5: Salmon, Seal, Caribou

    Shanawdithit describes the last days of her family as they were pushed from their land and then hunted. She asks Cormack not to speak of their death, but of their life. Cormack is ecstatic and gets lost in the memories Shanawdithit paints. She breaks his reverie with the cold fact that the life she speaks of will never happen again. She colla...

    Shelter – Scene 4: Hope Grows Up, “This is Our House” (aria)

    Hope grows up quickly, climbing out of her crib as a woman of twenty-one. She sings to herself, wanting to leave the house.

    Shelter – Scene 6: Trinity (aria)

    Hope introduces the pilot to her family. He leaves, and Hope argues with her parents about going with him.

    The Cellar Door – “Down there I won’t go” (aria)

    Daniel sings of his fear at the prospect of going down into the cellar of his childhood home, after his father has died.

    The Cellar Door – “That’s all you have to say?” (aria)

    Judith sings angrily at her brother when he expresses his desire to leave their childhood home after their father has died.

    The Cellar Door – The Cellar Door

    Back in his childhood home after the death of this father, Daniel kills his sister when she wants to resume their childhood sexual relationship.

    The Golden Boy – The Golden Boy

    After a painful argument, a mother tells her son the truth of his father's absence and tries to comfort him.

    The Leaving – The Leaving

    A young religous brother tells an older brother that he is planning to leave the order. The older brother advises caution and obedience.

    The Telegram – The Telegram

    Two women watch and worry as the church elder walks through town with a telegram carrying news of a soldier son's death.

    Two Sisters – Two Sisters

    Two sisters are outside by the river talking. One sister describes the boy she hopes to be with, and the other sister admits that she is pregnant with his baby. Jealousy is a deadly emotion.

    Where is Ava – Where is Ava

    Chloe and Eddie are in the throes of love when they’re interrupted by Matt, Chloe’s athlete ex-husband. Matt asks where their daughter Ava is, and criticizes Chloe for abandoning Ava for a man.

    Medusa’s Aria

    Medusa sings from beyond the grave, reaching out to her children and her two sisters. She tells the story of her rape by the god Poseidon and murder by the hero Perseus. 

    Pegasus’s Aria

    Pegasus recounts a dream in which their mother Medusa asks them to find her severed head. They reflect on the harrowing circumstances of their birth and their relationship with their brother Chrysaor and father Poseidon.

    Rocking Horse Winner – Scene 10: Ava and Paul

    Paul begs his rocking horse for more luck for the Derby. Ava decides Paul’s been too agitated lately, and the distance between them grows wider. Ava leaves his room and bemoans Paul’s lack of understanding. She deserves luxury now and then, and Paul robs her of comfort. As if on cue, she hears Paul noisily riding his rocking horse again. Whil...

    Rocking Horse Winner – Scene 8: Ava’s birthday

    Ava is disappointed in her birthday celebration, and Paul asks her why she isn't happy.

    Dragon’s Tale – Dragon’s Tale – Scene 1

    A young Chinese/Canadian woman (Xiao Lian) faces a difficult choice: Honour her family’s traditional past or embrace a more modern future. Her father dwells on the memory of his deceased wife and honours her by performing the Qingming funeral tradition. Meanwhile, Xiao Lian’s two friends want her to get out and be more social. Her ...

    Dragon’s Tale – Dragon’s Tale – Scene 2

    Xiao Lian’s father bitterly reveals that he will die soon. Xiao Lian’s mother appears in spirit form and asks her to forgive her father. She speaks of their happiness together as a family in earlier times. As a child, Xiao Lian had a close connection with the Dragon Boat Festival, known as Duanwu and its hero, the ancient poet Qu Y...

    Dragon’s Tale – Dragon’s Tale – Scene 3

    Xiao Lian vows to look to the past and summons the great spirit of Qu Yuan. His spirit rises and assumes the form of Xiao Lian’s father.

    Dragon’s Tale – Dragon’s Tale – Scene 5

    Qu Yuan wanders into the southern wilderness. As he travels, he composes a lament for himself and his lost position in court. In the present, Xiao Lian’s Father senses his end is near. Summoning up his strength, he joins with the spirit of Qu Yuan to tell the final chapter.

    Dragon’s Tale – Dragon’s Tale – Scene 7

    All hope is lost as the villagers return and collect Qu Yuan’s possessions. They take the scrolls containing his famous poetry to the Daoist temple, where they will be preserved forever. Xiao Lian returns to the present at the bedside of her dying father. With his encouragement and love, she finally recognizes the value of honourin...

    Dragon’s Tale – Dragon’s Tale – Scene 8

    Xiao Lian performs the Qingming ceremony to honour the spirit of her departed father and mother. Love and fellowship combine in the running of a dragon boat race. Xiao Lian joins her friends and crosses into her future.

    Dragon’s Tale – Dragon’s Tale – Scene 9

    The combined spirits of Qu Yuan and Father return and ask the audience to release them from their servitude. That freedom granted, they ascend into the heavens triumphantly.

    My Mother’s Ring – My Mother’s Ring

    Paul is being interviewed about his missing parents. Is Paul a suspect? Is the interrogator a police officer or a psychiatrist? Who were the people who were in his parents' house when Paul returned from his trip? All is not as it seems.

    She is Me – She is Me

    Janna and her grandpa are in Toronto’s distillery district. Before she has to leave, Janna asks him to tell the story of how he and Grandma met.

    Sleep, Sleep – Sleep, Sleep

    A boy and his mother make up ways of killing an unnamed woman.  When the game is over, the boy asks what would happen if they killed the woman “for real,” if it would make his father love them again.

    Snow Globe – Snow Globe

    A sister and brother go through the belongings of their recently departed mother and find an old snow globe from their youth. They both really want to keep it. A bitter fight ensues and the sister inadvertently blurts out a very painful secret.

    Sooner Than Later – Close your eyes, son
    A father comforts his son as he encourages him to end his life, rather than waiting for him to die of a terminal illness.
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