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    Canadian Opera Resource
    Canadian Opera Resource
    COR
    Excerpts
    Constantinople – chapter 1: “Creeds”

    “Christos Anesti”, the Byzantine Easter chant of the resurrection, is sung in Greek by the mezzo-soprano, while the alto intones and whispers similar texts from the Islamic faith.

    Constantinople – chapter 2: “Kyrie”

    A setting of twelve statements of the words “Kyrie Eleison” (“Lord Have Mercy Upon Us”), a standard orthodox ritual practice.

    Constantinople – chapter 6: “On Death and Dying”

    The two voices—representing two different worlds, two cultural paradigms—sing together.  The texts are “The Death of Dighenis,” a poem about a Byzantine hero, and the Dies Irae.

    Dance til the sun sets – Dance Til The Sun Sets

    An entire relationship in microcosm, from first meeting to last sunset together. This piece uses a couple’s dancing together as a metaphor for their time passing.

    Dark Star Requiem – “Zero Six One”

    Soloists and chorus sing the numbers attributed to HIV-1 and HIV-2 by the International Comitte of Taxonomy of Viruses.

    Dark Star Requiem – “Congo and one of the four H’s”

    As the Democratic Republic of Congo fights for its independence, patients are being hospitalized and dying from AIDS-related illness.

    Dark Star Requiem – “Polygyny”

    A group of people discuss the dynamics of Polygyny before the arrival of colonizers and missionaries.

    Dark Star Requiem – “Theory, Prayers”

    Soloists list conspiracy theories about the origin and spread of HIV, while the chorus laughs in the background.

    Dark Star Requiem – “Sentinel”

    A solo by the mezzo-soprano about nuns sex-shaming in hospitals, while the chorus repeatedly sings "sanctus".

    Dark Star Requiem – “Cuba Libre”

    An ode to alcohol and cocktails that devolves into a listing of medications.

    Dark Star Requiem – “Requiem”

    A funereal narration accompanied by a choral requiem.

    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 2, Scene 1: “Miriam is so cool”

    Miriam becomes a bully and destroys Elijah's kite.

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

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

    Elsewhereless – Scene 1: “You’re all nerves”

    Beth and Andrew are getting ready for bed. Malcolm enters suddenly, claiming that someone will be there soon and leaves as suddenly as he arrived.

    Elsewhereless – Scene 3: “All reports that innocent people”

    Beth reads Andrew a memo from a political figure denying the murder of innocent people and claiming that suspensions of civil liberties are essential. Beth and Andrew go downstairs for dinner, where Malcolm has prepared them a live monkey.

    Elsewhereless – Scene 5: “It needs rugs, we didn’t get a chance to introduce ourselves”

    Beth and Andrew are moving into the residence. They begin a conversation with Malcolm similar to that of Eugene and Antoine in scene 2. Malcolm explains that he once had scholarships to university because of a good recommendation letter.

    Elsewhereless – Scene 7: “Good evening Malcolm”

    The action continues from scene 3. Beth and Andrew are waiting for their guest, Duncan, but Antoine arrives instead and cuts into the live monkey's skullcap without hesitation. He recounts how he almost wrote Malcolm a letter of recommendation.

    Elsewhereless – Scene 9: “May I ask a question”

    The political situation is worsening, and Andrew and Beth decide to invite Antoine, the ambassador, over for drinks. Violence errupts in the streets as Malcolm has gone out to the garden. He returns holding the body of a child.

    Elsewhereless – Scene 10: “What about these things”

    Eugene is dying. He has left some of his and Antoine's things for Malcolm, but Malcolm is growing angrier at Antoine who still will not write him a letter of recommendation.

    Elsewhereless – Scene 11: “We’re frightened”

    Beth and Andrew demand Antoine that they be allowed to leave. He will keep them there forever because he wants to see them all become heroes and redeem his initial banishment with Eugene. Antoine grabs the dead monkey and begins to dance with it. A bullet explodes through the window, hitting Antoine and he falls to the ground.

    Elsewhereless – Scene 12: “This country is at the threshold of great change”

    Upstairs, Malcolm reads another memo from Antoine. Beth rushes in to tell him that it's time to leave. Andrew and Beth leave the house, but Malcolm remains in the house, still surrounded by violence.

    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 4: “Flame (1919)”

    Josephine asks for Henson's help, despite Peary's past bad treatment of him.

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

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

    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 10: “Sea Anemone” (aria)

    Josephine wonders what discovery is worth.

    TAP:EX Forbidden – Act 1, Scene 2: “With His Eyes (Male Gaze)”

    An interrogator turns his lurid eyes on an imprisoned female activist. Purposefully misunderstanding her movements as seduction, he convinces himself of something horrid.

    TAP:EX Forbidden – Act 1, Scene 4: “Stay, Still, Forever”

    A cleric prepares for confessional. Someone enters the booth. The cleric realizes it’s a man with whom he shared a mutual attraction. The man has recently finished gay conversion therapy and wishes to resume some kind of a relationship.

    TAP:EX Forbidden – Act 1, Scene 6: “Book’s Lament”

    A book pleads with the audience to be read. A rhythmic chorus rises. A tribute to the banned, the burned, and the hidden.

    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 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 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 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.

    Gotcha! – Gotcha!

    First meeting of an adult son and his birth mother.

    Hook Up – Section 5, Scene 2: “Heather” (duet)

    Heather and Mindy share a moment of intimacy as they discuss their experiences of sexual violence.

    Hydrophis Expedition – Serpent’s Aria

    An undersea monster sings to the scientists observing her.

    Hydrophis Expedition – Hydrophis Expedition (Close Your Eyes)

    In a deep sea submergence vehicle, a crew voyages in search of a sea creature whose gaze can cause burns to the eyes.

    Ice Cream – Ice Cream

    A mother and son have dinner. The mother is suffering from Alzheimer’s, and her son has increasing difficulty coping with that fact.

    Ice Time – “Axel, halfloop, salchow, toe”

    A figure skater and coach review a disappointing routine together.

    Ice Time – “Once upon a time…” (aria)

    A figure skating coach reminisces about her own time in the competition spotlight.

    Ice Time – Ice Time

    After a disappointing performance a coach chastises the skater, then dreams of her glory days; the skater decides this has been her last performance.

    In This World, George is Heartbroken – In This World, George is Heartbroken

    George and his wife Martha have three very different versions of a difficult conversation over breakfast.

    Insomnia Composition – Insomnia Composition

    At 4 a.m., a composer stands looking out the window, his tools nearby. Across town, a librettist is doing the same. Both are just slightly panicking about their latest work: an opera about a dog named Harley.

    Iron Road – Act 1, Prologue: The Old World

    Before dying, Ama tells Lai Gwan of her father, gives her a wedding dress, and urges her to go to North America to find her father - but always remember Chinese traditions.

    Iron Road – Act 2, Prologue: The Dream

    Lai Gwan dreams of the conflicting desires of her mother, father, Nichol and herself.

    Iron Road – Act 2, Scene 2: The Cave

    In the explosion rubble, Lai Gwan and Nichol declare their love depsite Ama's warnings. Nichol dies as the workers rescue Lai Gwan and Manli, who declares his renewed love for his daughter.

    Iron Road – Act 2, Scene 5: Remember the Dead

    Manli and Lai Gwan decided to make a life together in Canada. As they collect and bury the bones of Chinese workers they remember all the dead, including Ama and Nichol.

    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 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.

    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.

    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.

    Lost and Found – Lost and Found

    Two travellers trying to communicate in English- which neither of them speaks well- find they are attracted to each other.

    Love Redux – Love Redux

    Two lovers discuss what love is.

    Lullaby at the Shore – Lullaby at the Shore

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

    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 1

    Jason, M'dea, and the soldiers return from war to a celebratory crowd. Some do not trust the new foreigner, M'dea.

    M’dea Undone – Act 1, Scene 2

    At a party, the Corporal mocks Jason for needing M'dea to help him win and for bringing her home.

    M’dea Undone – Act 1, Scene 3

    M'dea and Jason commit to loving each other and helping each other recover from the war and memories that haunt them.

    M’dea Undone – Act 1, Scene 4

    Jason and M'dea are expecting a baby. Citizens gossip about the couple.

    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 7: Revealed (aria)

    In a dream state, M'dea recalls all she has done to survive.

    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 1, Scene 11: The Ballroom

    The party is about to announce Jason's candidacy. Jason and Dahlia dance together, oblivious to all the others. Enraged, M'dea smashes a glass wall, showering fragments over the party guests.

    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 5

    M'dea tries once more to get Jason to stay with her, but he believes he will never forget his war crimes if she is in his life. M'dea eventually agrees to go back to her country.

    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.

    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.

    Man in Avalanche – Man in Avalanche

    On a solitary walk a Man gets buried by an avalanche; a Woman thinks his absence means he is cheating on her.

    Merk’s Dream – Merk’s Dream

    Sitting by the fire, Merk tries to discover what his mentally disabled daughter will remember when he is no longer with her.

    TAP:EX Metallurgy – Metallurgy A – second movement

    A couple is trying to come to terms with the loss of their daughter. They grieve, and fight with one another.

    TAP:EX Metallurgy – Metallurgy A – third movement

    The couple continues to mourn.

    TAP:EX Metallurgy – Metallurgy A – final movement

    Duet between the woman and a violin, symbolizing her daughter.

    TAP:EX Metallurgy – Metallurgy B

    In a series of micro-vignettes, we witness a love affair from meeting to first date, falling in love to falling out of love, and into old age.

    Mother Everest – “Namaste” (aria)

    Jackie realizes that her sherpa has died.

    Mother Everest – Mother Everest

    Westerner Jackie and sherpa Pasang summit Everest without using oxygen cannisters. Soon their victory turns into a culture clash as they argue about their affair and the mountain, and slowly die of hypoxia.

    My Eyes are Bright and Sparkly – My Eyes are Bright and Sparkly

    Stephanie is getting ready to go out on a date, but she begins to unravel when she checks herself in the mirror. The voices she hears in her head are variations of her own critical voice. She sees herself the way she imagines her date will see her.

    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.

    Noor Over Afghan – Scene 1

    Jaan, who is dying, asks her sister Noor to secretely take her place on her wedding day. Noor reluctantly agrees.

    Noor Over Afghan – Scene 3

    Jaan meets group of tribal women in the desert who convince her to stay with them while she dies. Noor takes Jaan's place in the circle.

    Noor Over Afghan – Scene 5

    Jaan remains alive. The tribal women suggest she should write to Noor to know what has happen and ease her mind.

    Noor Over Afghan – Scene 7: Desert (aria)

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

    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 4

    In Greece at a bar, three women are held captive: Konstantin sends Lyubia with a businessman, Natalyia with the Immigration officer who cuts her, and Oksana is bought by Konstantin at auction. Konstantin then offers to the crowd a gang rape just as the police arrive to raid the bar. Instead, he escapes with Oksana and Natalyia.

    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 1, Scene 6

    On the Albanian coast the women captives wait for the boat to Italy. Oksana is still defiant, trying to figure out an escape for herself and others. The boat and Konstantin arrive, and Oksana fails to convince him to free her and Natalyia.

    The Enslavement and Liberation of Oksana G. – Act 2, Scene 1

    Brindisi refugee shelter: Father Alexander and social worker Clara work with the refugees. An injured Oksana arrives and asks for help; Lyubia, who escaped when the boat docked, is among the refugees and recognizes Oksana.

    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 2, Scene 6

    Refugees are trying on clothes, when Dima and Konstantin enter looking for Oksana. Konstantin offers Father Alexander money for Oksana and Clara calls the police; Konstantin and Dima leave before the police arrive.

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