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    Canadian Opera Resource
    Canadian Opera Resource
    COR
    Excerpts
    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.

    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 2

    On the eve of Oksana's departure, Father Alexander has to go to pick up another woman in distress. He leaves his knife with Oksana because she is afraid Konstantin will show up. Lyuba and Oksana say their goodbyes.

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

    Father Alexander discovers the distress call was a set by Konstantin, but Dima decides he can't beat up a priest and lets Father Alexander go back to Brindisi where Konstantin is.

    The Enslavement and Liberation of Oksana G. – Act 3, Scene 4

    Konstantin breaks into Oksana's room and tries to convince her to leave with him. When this fails, he tries to rape her again but she stabs him. He gets the knife and stabs her before he dies. Father Alexander returns and Oksana dies of her wound, dreaming of home.

    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.

    One Night, One Bell – One Night, One Bell

    A man coerces a woman to have sex with him in exchange for saving the one remaining temple bell from being melted down for the war metal supply.

    Opposites Attract – Scene 2

    At a bar, Erica laments the men she chooses. Jackie looks for a rich man- and a rich man walks into the bar.

    Opposites Attract – Scene 5

    We hear Keith teaching a child to play violin. Alex listens happily while Jackie wishes she was still at work.

    Opposites Attract – Scene 8

    Two couples on a resort patio watch and comment on each other.

    Pub Operas (The Sloans Project) – Mad with It

    A young couple celebrates their recent engagement in the Sloans pub, only to be interrupted by a drunk whose 24-year marriage has just ended. The drunk leaves his wedding ring, and, sensing an opportunity, the young couple takes it.

    Pub Operas (The Sloans Project) – Country Song

    Two men break into their old haunt, bringing their recently deceased friend along for the ride. They pour three pints and pull up a country song on the jukebox. In turn, they reflect on what they’d tell him if he were still alive.

    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) – “I have killed seventeen” (aria)

    A man recounts his prior murders.

    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 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 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...

    Sanctuary Song – Prologue/Scene 1: Goodbye

    As he tries to get into the train car, James explains to Sydney the elephant why it is best for her to leave the zoo for a new home.

    Sanctuary Song – Scene 3: Fire

    Sydney is injured in a fire and sold to the zoo.

    Sanctuary Song – Scene 5: First Meeting

    Sydney and James meet for the first time. Though both are nervous, they connect with each other.

    Sanctuary Song – Scene 7: Reunion

    Sydney exits the train with James at the Sanctuary and sees her old friend Penny. They reunite lovingly. Sydney and James say their final goodbye.

    Shanawdithit – “These last few months” (aria)

    Cormack presents his findings about Shanawdithit to the members of the Beothuk institute.

    Shanawdithit – Scene 1

    Cormack meets Shanawdithit for the first time. She’s been working as a servant for Peyton for five years under the colonial name of Nancy April. Cormack is awed; he believes this woman is the last of the Beothuk. Peyton gives her to him, saying she’s useless.

    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...

    Shanawdithit – Scene 6

    Cormack tries to raise funds for Shanawdithit’s care without success. James Simms offers to care for her while Cormack is away.

    Shanawdithit – Scene 7

    Her health fading, Shanawdithit wonders if she’ll be welcomed into the spirit world after so much time with the colonists. Cormack tells her he must leave, and Shanawdithit gives him a sketch of his house to carry with him. He leaves the room to pack. Shanawdithit hears the spirits of her people calling her name. It is time. One spirit in par...

    Shelter – Scene 1: Love & Science (duet)

    Thomas and Claire meet at a party and fall in love.

    Shelter – Scene 4: Hope Grows Up, “Dusk of Tears” (duet)

    Thomas and Lise sing of feeling the burning of two suns on their faces.

    The Call of the Light – The Call of the Light

    In the Blue Room of the Quebec National Assembly, Denis Lortie kills and wounds people with a submachine gun as a protest against Quebec sovereignty.

    The Last Life – The Last Life

    Former lovers are reincarnated and reunited, but this time around one is a farmer and one is his cow.

    The Laurels – The Laurels

    In a wooded park at night, it seems like Laurel is running for her life- but it turns out she is running from the memory of the murder she committed that night.

    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 Overcoat: A Musical Tailoring – Act 1, scene 1

    Akakiy reveals his fascination with numbers, and the chorus announces they’ll help keep track of things. His landlady enters to bring him some cabbage soup- and something more, which he refuses.

    The Overcoat: A Musical Tailoring – Act 1, scene 2

    After rushing to work, Akakiy is bullied by his coworkers. He’s too good at his job, and it’s making the rest of them look bad.

    The Overcoat: A Musical Tailoring – Act 1, scene 4

    Petrovich declares Akakiy’s coat is completely unfixable, but also that this is the chance for Akakiy to choose something new. Of course, he’ll have to pay.

    The Overcoat: A Musical Tailoring – Act 1, scene 6

    Akakiy gets caught in rush hour and arrives late to find the head the department telling a sad story about encountering a homeless vagrant. Annoyed at being interrupted, the head of the department grills Akakiy on his little notebook of numbers. Akakiy explains he was using it to find ways to save money, which gives the head an idea. He’ll cu...

    The Overcoat: A Musical Tailoring – Act 1, scene 8

    Measuring Akakiy becomes a ballet of awkwardness. Petrovich and his wife muse on what really makes a man: how he appears.

    The Overcoat: A Musical Tailoring – Act 2, scene 3 and 4

    The name day party. Everyone is dressed to the nines, but Akakiy adds up to at least an eleven. They fawn over his coat, going so far as to toast to it. Akakiy forgets to count his drinks, and ends up completely drunk. He gets lost on the way home, winding up in the rough part of town. Akakiy asks two men for directions, but instead, they kno...

    The Overcoat: A Musical Tailoring – Act 2, scene 6 and 7 (Finale)

    After days of near catatonia in his cold apartment, the landlady asks Petrovich to repair Akakiy’s old coat, to no avail. Even his coworkers arrive to check in, but by then, Akakiy is unreachable. Akakiy is committed to a mental hospital. Once he arrives, the other residents encourage him to look at things a little differently. It turns out h...

    The Perfect Match – Interior

    Two sock puppets wake up alone and lonely.

    The Perfect Match – Exterior

    Tam and Pal spot each other- the only single socks in the park- speak, and fall in love.

    The Perfect Screw – Act 1, Scene 1: “Ladies and Gentlemen” (aria)

    Robertson demonstrates the new “automatic spiral ratchet spring-loaded screw driver,” affectionately called the “Yankee.” The demonstration is cut short when the driver slips off the single slot screw, injuring Robertson’s hand.

    The Perfect Screw – Act 1, Scene 2: “Fates, I curse you” (aria)

    Robertson in his shop, Amalia (present day) in her bathroom with her antique vanity, Phillips in his workshop, also injured by a screw driver slip.

    The Perfect Screw – Act 1, Scene 2

    Robertson in his shop, Amalia (present day) in her bathroom with her antique vanity, Phillips in his workshop, also injured by a screw driver slip.

    The Perfect Screw – Act 2, Scene 1

    In the afterlife, Henry Ford invites Robertson to present his screwdriver. Ford is rapturously impressed, and offers Roberston a deal - but with the catch that Ford would then own the rights to his invention (as Ford puts it, he demands "complete submission"). Phillips reveals himself and makes a sales pitch. Ford is less attracted, but offer...

    The Perfect Screw – Act 2, Scene 2

    Ford and Phillips celebrate while Robertson is chagrined and depressed by his failure to get the contract. Amalia finally finds the screwdriver aisle in the store.

    The Perfect Screw – Act 3, Scene 2

    Robertson, still sad, hopes his screwdriver will still be of use to others.

    The Perfect Screw – Act 3, Scene 3

    Amalia at home, mounting her vanity. She praises the Robertson's screwdriver as he observes from heaven.

    The Perfect Screw – Act 3, Scene 4

    All sing the praises of the Robertson screwdriver.

    The Rape of Artemisia – The Rape of Artemisia

    In pain after being raped by Tassi, Artemisia tries to understand what just happened, while Tassi justifies himself.

    The Sermon – The Sermon

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

    The Shadow – Scene 1

    Raoul the mailman is in love with Allegra. He arrives at her house and they flirt, but are interrupted by Allegra's father. Raoul vows that he will win over Allegra by disgusing himself as a wealthy merchant named Hernando.

    The Shadow – Scene 2

    Disguised as Hernando, Raoul asks out Allegra.

    The Shadow – Scene 3

    Raoul and Allegra go out on their date and order a feast. The bill arrives and Raoul cannot pay it. He tries to escape, but in the process stabs the waiter in the neck with a fork. Raoul and Allegra leave the restaurant, Allegra is unaware of what has just happened.

    The Shadow – Scene 4

    Raoul goes to see Don Paulo for a loan. Before he approves, Don Paulo warns Raoul about a shadow that haunts people who have not paid their debts.

    The Shadow – Scene 5

    Raoul, dressed as Hernando, proposes to Allegra and gives her an engagement ring.

    The Shadow – Scene 7

    Raoul still hasn't paid off his debt. Allegra arrives and tells him she has lost the ring, not knowing that he is also Hernando.

    The Shadow – Scene 9

    Raoul (as Hernando) confronts Allegra about the missing ring. She tells him it's being polished.

    The Shadow – Scene 10

    The Shadow arrives and tells Allegra the truth about Hernando/Raoul.

    The Shadow – Scene 11

    Raoul, as Hernando, arrives at Allegra's balcony but sees her with The Shadow.

    The Shadow – Scene 12

    Raoul attacks and kills The Shadow.

    The Shadow – Scene 13

    Raoul (as himself) sits on a bench. Allegra arrives and wonders if she'll ever find love. She leaves for mass to ask for forgiveness.

    The Shaman’s Tale – “Many years ago”

    The Shaman introduces the audience to his newest clients, a Man and Woman hoping to have a child.

    The Shaman’s Tale – “Because of the sacrifice”

    The Shaman explains the end of the couple's tale.

    The Waterfall – Part 1

    On the first warm spring day in the mountains, Olaf, a rich farmer, proposes to Runa, a poor farmer, only to discover that she is in love with the bandit Davith. Angered by this, Olaf burns down Runa's farm, and Runa escapes up the mountain searching for Davith.

    Unfamiliar – Workshop Version

    A night out celebrating midterms takes a turn when one student doesn't return.

    What is She? – What is She?

    An intersex woman wins a gold medal, but her struggles to get there mean nothing to the organization and the other athletes. She’s disqualified and shamed.

    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.

    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...

    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 4

    Xiao Lian is transported back to the ancient royal court, where she witnesses the majestic entrance of King Huai of Chu. Qu Yuan is at the peak of his power but is soon outfoxed by rival minister Zhang Yi. Qu Yuan is cast down and banished by his beloved king.

    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 6

    Years later, Qu Yuan has earned the honour and respect of the people in a little fishing village on the river Miluo. Xiao Lian and a local villager strike up a conversation with Qu Yuan, and it is soon revealed that The Kingdom of Chu has been destroyed by its enemies. After learning this news, Qu Yuan’s heart breaks, and he drowns...

    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 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.

    Gould’s Wall – Scene 2

    Louise encounters The Teacher at the window.  The Teacher instructs on the development of rigorous, meticulous technique.  Discussion of artistic philosophy is included in the training.  Glenn recalls his own teacher.

    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.

    One Lump or Two? – One Lump or Two?

    Four Victorian women sit down for a most unusual tea time. The women have two things in common: their dislike of the other women and of their husbands. Each woman refuses to drink tea for one reason or another while brainstorming ideas such as poison, prison, bee-stings or drowning. But who are they plotting against– their partners, or each o...

    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.

    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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