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    • FAQ – For Users
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    Canadian Opera Resource
    Canadian Opera Resource
    COR
    Operas
    Rip
    The piece opens in the middle of a reverse custody battle, with each party demanding the other take their son, Simon.  Carla believes her son will grow up dysfunctional without a father, and Peter claims he’ll do nothing but cry for her.  Interspersed with their fighting is the occasional instruction to Simon, indicating he’s in the room, a witn...
    Composer: Gareth Williams
    Librettist: Anna Chatterton

    Rip
    Rip
    Lullaby at the Shore
    Content warning: xenophobia, migration

    A young child wakes up alone on the beach. They call for their mother. The sound of the waves muffles the voices of people who worry about newcomers and the effect that they will have on their society. Other voices take over - other children declaring that the child belongs with them now.

    Inspired by ...
    Composer: Afarin Mansouri
    Librettist: Marcia Johnson

    Lullaby at the Shore
    Lullaby at the Shore
    Little Miss All Canadian
    Content warning: murder

    Two women, Eunice Rose and Samantha, sit in the audience during the semifinals of a junior “Miss All-Canadian” Pageant. Eunice’s daughter is on stage doing a dance routine Eunice choreographed herself. She holds a diet coke and eats chocolate while eying her daughter and criticizing her performance. Samantha, meanwhile...
    Composer: Lembit Beecher
    Librettist: Liza Balkan

    Little Miss All Canadian
    Elijah’s Kite
    In a schoolyard full of kids, nine-year-old Elijah still feels alone. He’s had a lot of trouble from Big Billy Brett, who takes every opportunity to bully and tease Elijah and his friends. For comfort, Elijah brings his favourite kite to school. One day, they meet a strong new girl called Miriam. Miriam isn’t afraid of Billy and stands up to him...
    Composer: James Rolfe
    Librettist: Camyar Chai

    Elijah’s Kite
    Elijah’s Kite
    M’dea Undone
    Content warning: death, murder, suicide, xenophobia

    Jason, an army captain and now war-hero, is returning home after years of war and an uncertain future. His interpreter and lover M’dea and their son Chase accompany him to a new life in the West. Jason begins a political career, working alongside the President and Dahlia, the President’s bea...
    Composer: John Harris
    Librettist: Marjorie Chan

    M’dea Undone
    Lisa
    Content warning: death, murder, mention of child sexual abuse

    Lisa is a twelve-year-old student at an all-girls school, where she is best friends with Annie and Caroline. Together they form a group called the Teacher's Angels, made up of girls who score perfect on their tests.

    When Lisa scores a nine out of ten on a math test, she is kicke...
    Composer: Omar Daniel
    Librettist: Alex Poch-Goldin

    Lisa
    Lisa
    Naila and Lolo
    Partition in 1947 drives Naila’s family to the new country of Pakistan while her best friend Lolo must remain in India. In a child’s-eye view of this world event, the significant concerns for these two nine-year-olds are custody of a tin box with important valuables (“marbles and flowers and keys and rings”), and the care and feeding of a pet ra...
    Composer: Elisabeth Mehl Greene
    Librettist: Anusree Roy

    Naila and Lolo
    Otherworld
    Two miners are making their way into the heart of the mountain. There, they discover another world.
    Composer: Norbert Palej
    Librettist: Bobby Theodore

    Otherworld
    Otherworld
    Get Stuffed
    Get Stuffed is a comic opera about serious decisions, featuring vocalizing vegetables and a big helping of other opinionated edible characters, all competing to influence one child's daily diet. Written for 5 singing actors and 2 musicians, this opera is intended for family audiences and touring to schools with a focus on encouraging youth to ma...
    Composer: Richard Payne
    Librettist: Alexis Diamond

    Get Stuffed
    She is Me
    Content warning: fire, death

    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. Both were fighting a fire, and met as part of the bucket brigade. Janna proudly reminds him he saved everyone that night, but this isn’t true. Grandpa confesses that a wo...
    Composer: Lembit Beecher
    Librettist: Katherine Koller

    She is Me
    Shelter
    Content warning: birth

    A nuclear family adrift in the atomic age. Since Prometheus stole fire from the gods, we have flirted with the dangerous beauty of science. In this cartoon fable, a father protects his family at any cost.

    Thomas and Claire fall madly in love at a fundraising party. Thomas has decided to “find a wife, get a life,” whi...
    Composer: Juliet Palmer
    Librettist: Julie Salverson

    Shelter
    Still the Night
    Content warning: antisemitism, genocide, Holocaust, infanticide, murder, Nazis, sexual violence, sex work, violence, war

    Still the Night tells the fictional story of two Jewish Polish cousins, both named Bryna, who have escaped fr...
    Composer: John Alcorn
    Librettist: Theresa Tova

    Still the Night
    The Drawing Class
    Content warning: war, the Holocaust, concentration camp

    As soldiers march outside their room in Terezin, a teacher tries their best to inspire a student, despite the horrid conditions. The student is unable to escape into her imagination.
    Composer: Christiaan Venter
    Librettist: Sheldon Rosen

    The Drawing Class
    The Drawing Class
    La pagaille des violons
    The story of two clans of little violinists, one that plays only in pizzicato and the other one only with the bow. They each claim to make the most beautiful music, so they argue and try separately to summon the Goddess of Music. She appears only when they play together, and reconciles the two clans, explaining that there is no such thing as the...
    Composer: Diana Cotoman
    Librettist: Diana Cotoman

    La pagaille des violons
    The Sermon
    A boy is sitting through the longest sermon ever on the most boring subject ever: purity. He didn’t sleep well the night before, and so convinces himself that he can close his eyes during the sermon without much trouble. But it doesn’t take long for the priest’s longwinded comparison of venial sins to tablecloth stations to blur and distort as t...
    Composer: John Harris
    Librettist: Bernard MacLaverty

    The Sermon
    The Sermon
    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 some man.
    Composer: Ivan Barbotin
    Librettist: Katherine Koller

    Where is Ava
    Where is Ava
    TAP:EX Forbidden
    Content warning: sexual violence, incarceration, religious abuse, homophobia, conversion therapy

    Through several vignettes, Forbidden examines the idea of rules and taboos. Do they protect people, or do they control them? Are they of any value, or do they simply exploit the powerless?

    A young girl, punished with repetition of religious tex...
    Composer: Afarin Mansouri
    Librettist: Donna-Michelle St. Bernard

    TAP:EX Forbidden
    Gould’s Wall
    A young, extraordinarily talented musician is striving for perfection in her art. Her path to greatness? A magnificent wall.

    Bursting with the compulsion to reach the top, she invokes Canadian icon, classical pianist Glenn Gould to guide her towards dizzying heights – but the path isn’t easy. Each brick represents her art, her rigour, and her...
    Composer: Brian Current
    Librettist: Liza Balkan

    Gould’s Wall
    Farewell Poo
    Charlie and Robert stand over a toilet examining Charlie's poo and reflecting on lost loved ones.
    Composer: Rene Orth
    Librettist: Daniel Solon

    Farewell Poo
    Farewell Poo
    The Golden Boy
    The scene is divided into two sections: a tense argument between mother and child, and a tender aria for the mother as she finally reveals a painful truth to her son about the prolonged absence of his father.
    Composer: Darren J
    Librettist: Anusree Roy

    The Golden Boy
    The Golden Boy
    COR
    Excerpts
    M’dea Undone – Act 2, Scene 11: The Beach

    Pursued by Jason and the guards, M'dea and Chase climb a cliff by the ocean. When they reach the top, they play a version of their make-believe game, and jump off.

    Partager la musique

    The Goddess of Music reconciles the tribe of the arco violin players with the tribe of pizzicato players, inviting them to make music together.

    Lullaby at the Shore – Lullaby at the Shore

    A child walks on a beach, in search of their parents.

    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.

    Gould’s Wall – Scene 10

    The Girl calls out to Glenn.  She asks him for help with a piece of music.

    M’dea Undone – Act 2, Scene 6 (duet)

    On the eve of their departure, M'dea and Chase play a gruesome game imagining ways to kill Dahlia the demoness.

    M’dea Undone – Act 1, Scene 6: The Beach

    A family outing to the beach turns into a photo op for the paparazzi.

    M’dea Undone – Act 1, Scene 8 – A Dinner Party

    The President invites Jason to be his running mate, and begins to remake him. This process sidelines M'dea and Chase. Dahlia and Jason are attracted to one other.

    M’dea Undone – Act 2, Scene 2: The President’s Office

    The President threatens M'dea with prison or the loss of her son if she doesn't do as he wants. He warns her not to cause trouble for Jason.

    M’dea Undone – Act 2, Scene 3: Fountain

    M'dea has a breakdown and brings Chase to the fountain at Jason and Dahlia's, where she sees the ghost of her mother. She is discovered by Jason and Dahlia, and a fight ensues.

    M’dea Undone – Act 2, Scene 6: The Game (duet)

    On the eve of their departure, M'dea and Chase play a gruesome game imagining ways to kill Dahlia the demoness.

    M’dea Undone – Act 2, Scene 10: Aftermath

    After the murders, M'dea almost kills herself but is interrupted by Chase. They escape to the beach.

    Naila and Lolo – Naila and Lolo

    The 1947 Partition of India forces two children to say goodbye. One departs for Pakistan, leaving her pet rabbit and childhood treasures with her friend.

    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.

    Otherworld – Otherworld

    Miners crack open a mountain and two green children emerge. They sing, then the minors pray to them as they fall asleep.

    Lisa – Scene 2

    "A perfect score is all that counts." Lisa fixates on the consequences of her test and predicts that Annie and Caroline will banish her from "the circle of three" because of her imperfect score. She blames Mr. Herwin.

    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.

    The Sermon – The Sermon

    A Boy slowly falls asleep as a Priest gives sermon on purity, and words go from meaningful to jibberish.

    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 Drawing Class – The Drawing Class

    A teacher tries to inspire and distract a student as soldiers march outside their classroom, but the student is unable to escape into her imagination.

    TAP:EX Forbidden – Act 1, Scene 3: “Come In”

    Lucifer taunts the Child in a cell. She doesn't understand what she's done wrong.

    TAP:EX Forbidden – Act 2, Scene 5: “Power Shift”

    Lucifer is enraged at the unfairness put upon him. The Child sees, and has an idea. Perhaps the system should be broken. When Lucifer realizes the Child has seen his truth, he tries to hide his emotions.

    TAP:EX Forbidden – Act 2, Scene 4: “Dubai know how to Party”

    A distraught woman is trying to report her sexual assault to a policeman. She admits she’s had some alcohol. Instead of pursuing justice, the policeman arrests her for illegal possession of alcohol. The Child witnesses all of it.

    TAP:EX Forbidden – Act 2, Scene 3: “In the Maze of Prison”

    The Child questions Lucifer’s role as tempter, while he tempts with growing intensity. He chastises the Child for bowing to authority. She erupts in anger, pushing the books aside and leaving the cage.

    TAP:EX Forbidden – Act 2, Scene 2: “White Key”

    Lucifer jangles an entrancing key in front of the Child and a young boy. This key promises to open the gates of heaven, but the boy has his own doubts about that. Nevertheless, he zips up his vest...

    TAP:EX Forbidden – Act 2, Scene 1: “After Intermission”

    The Child is led back to the book cage, and performers take their places.

    TAP:EX Forbidden – Act 1, Scene 8: “Eat Anything”

    The Child is allowed out of her cage, with a warning she can have anyting she wants except for one thing. She asks what it might be, and in a Kafka-esque reply they say, “you know.”

    TAP:EX Forbidden – Act 1, Scene 7: “In the Book”

    As Lucifer tries again to get the Child to go with him, the Child finds out who Lucifer is in one of the books of the cell.

    TAP:EX Forbidden – Act 1, Scene 5: “Go On, Get Out”

    The Child is bored. She reads several books in an effort to learn all the things she shouldn’t do, say, feel, or see. Lucifer simply asks her why, attempting to get her attention on him instead of books. She finds a name, Iblis, and taunts him.

    TAP:EX Forbidden – Act 2, Scene 6: “With His Serenity (Falun Dufa)”

    A watcher looks over a group of faithful. His irritation turns to hatred as he accuses them of subversion. He claims to have proof hidden in some papers, but the Child has destroyed them. The Child proclaims “I know what to do,” and the tension between authority and people escalates. The Child begins taking pages and notes from all the surrou...

    TAP:EX Forbidden – Act 1, Scene 1: “Understanding”

    The Child is taught a lesson. She attempted to speak her truth, but was met with discipline.

    Farewell Poo – Farewell Poo

    Robert helps Charlie, who is sick, check his stool and be calm in the face of death.

    Elijah’s Kite – Act 2, Scene 2: “Well now look who’s here”

    The kids all make up and fly Elijah's restored kite.

    Elijah’s Kite – Act 2, Scene 1: “Miriam is so cool”

    Miriam becomes a bully and destroys Elijah's kite.

    Elijah’s Kite – Act 1, Scene 3: “Five little kids came out one day”

    Elijah and Keisha tell Miriam about Billy the bully. Billy bullies Elijah, then Miriam stands up to Billy.

    Elijah’s Kite – Act 1, Scene 2: “I wish I could fly away”

    Three unhappy kids dream of flying away on a kite.

    Elijah’s Kite – Act 1, Scene 1: “Lunchtime!”

    It's lunchtime in the schoolyard.

    Little Miss All Canadian – Little Miss All Canadian

    Two mothers in the audience for a beauty pageant: while Eunice's daughter performs, Samantha reads an article about a murdered 11-year-old girl.

    TAP:EX Forbidden – Act 2, Scene 7: “Enlightenment”

    The Child creates her own book from pages of other books. She hands out her new rules to the audience.

    Get Stuffed – Scene 1

    Zach's class studies the Canada Food Guide, making Zach's tummy grumble.

    Get Stuffed – Scene 2

    Zach longs for a lunch of junk food!

    Get Stuffed – Scene 3

    The Cafeteria Worker sets out orderly rows of premade junk food in her spic-and-span kitchen. Just then, a trio of Chefs show up and toss all of the junk food out!

    Get Stuffed – Scene 4

    Zach and the Cafeteria Worker are perplexed by the Chefs' new healthy homemade menu. They promise Zach that eating this way will be delicious and good for him, too! Zach passes out from hunger and empty calories. He is so hungry!

    Get Stuffed – Scene 5

    Zach's hunger-hallucination, Part 1: A life-size Chocolate Bar entices him... only to turn into a Carrot!

    Get Stuffed – Scene 6

    Zach's hunger-hallucination, Part 2: The Garden Trio (Apple, Carrot and Broccoli) treat Zach to a savoury song about vitamins.

    Get Stuffed – Scene 7

    Zach's hunger-hallucination, Part 3: Sultry French Fries interrupts the Trio to tempt Zach, but is pulled up short by Big Cheese. There's a new Sheriff in town.

    Get Stuffed – Scene 8

    Zach's hunger-hallucination, Part 4: Big Cheese tries to convince Zach to eat healthy by crooning a song oozing with cheesy puns.

    Get Stuffed – Scene 9

    Zach's hunger-hallucination, Part 5: Food fight! The healthy and unhealthy foods fight over Zach. In the melee, Apple is struck by an airborne French fry.

    Get Stuffed – Scene 10

    Zach's hunger-hallucination, Part 6: Apple expires in true operatic fashion in Zach's arms. Zach grieves.

    Get Stuffed – Scene 11

    Zach wakes from his hallucination a changed boy. Now open to trying new options, he samples the new menu. Zach's tummy rumbles in appreciation!

    Get Stuffed – Finale (with Audience)

    A brief anthem to healthy eating.

    Lisa – Scene 1

    Lisa is devastated to get 9 out of 10 on her math test. She insists that she answered the question correctly, and pleads with Mr. Herwin to change her grade. Mr. Herwin says that her "45" looked like a "43", and that everyone makes mistakes.

    Lisa – Scene 3

    Mr. Herwin tells Lisa he knows she killed her friends with poisoned lemonade. Lisa tells him she has told people he is a pedophile.

    COR

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