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    Canadian Opera Resource
    Canadian Opera Resource
    COR
    Operas
    The Virgin Charlie
    Charlie is performing in a show, and while backstage receives an unexpected visit from the Virgin Mary. Mary has news for Charlie: he is pregnant with the son of God. The little messiah has come to fulfill a prophecy - will armageddon strike the earth, or will forgiveness once again save it all?
    Composer: William Rowson
    Librettist: Taylor Graham

    The Virgin Charlie
    Bandits in the Valley
    The Don Valley. 1880, Toronto.

    Join George Taylor and the travelling Gilbert & Sullivan theatrical troupe The Vagabonds in a twenty-fifth anniversary celebration of the birth of his papermill. Unbeknownst to him, Jeremiah - the leader of a local small-potatoes bandit group called The Rift Rafters - just discovered a long-hidden secret abo...
    Composer: Benton Roark
    Librettist: Julie Tepperman

    Bandits in the Valley
    Bessie
    A famous blues singer is warming up in her dressing room before the show. Her partner, Jack, enters and a fight begins.
    Composer: Chris Thornborrow
    Librettist: Morris Panych

    Bessie
    Bessie
    Blind Woman
    A blind dancer and the shadow of her former sight share a final dance.
    Composer: James Rolfe
    Librettist: David Yee

    Blind Woman
    Blind Woman
    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
    Guitar
    Singer-songwriter Josie works on a song in her shared Portland apartment, a girl-at-the-guitar on the cusp of leaving for New York City and a long-anticipated big break. Though her luggage is packed and she’s almost out the door, her boyfriend interjects with objections—he’ll miss her. Josie’s reassurances, dreams of him visiting her on the East...
    Composer: Elisabeth Mehl Greene
    Librettist: Norman Yeung

    Guitar
    La Maupin
    Content warning: contains depictions of gun violence, mentions of homophobia, transphobia, self-harm, attempted suicide, memory loss, illness, death, and violence

    Julie d'Aubigny (1673-1707), more often known by her stage name "Mademoiselle Maupin," was a queer and gender non-conforming opera singer. She was a mezzo-soprano, and sang some of ...
    Composer: Colin McMahon
    Librettist: Camille Rogers

    La Maupin
    Jacqueline
    Content warning: terminal illness

    This is not a biographical opera, it is an exploration of an emotional journey. At age 5, Jacqueline has instant chemistry and sparks fly when she meets her cello. Their relationship grows stronger and closer, and Jacqueline matures into a charismatic and likeable teen, powerful on major stages. Soon she is a...
    Composer: Luna Pearl Woolf
    Librettist: Royce Vavrek

    Jacqueline
    COR
    Excerpts
    Gould’s Wall – Scene 3

    With a sense of freedom, Louise discovers daring, new musical terrain with Glenn's encouragement.

    The Virgin Charlie – Scene 1

    In his dressing room, drag performer Charlie puts on his Virgin Mary costume, witnessed by the real Virgin Mary inside his mirror.

    The Virgin Charlie – Scene 2

    Charlie performs the first number of his act: Mother Mary in the nativity scene, with the worries of a new mother carrying the son of god.

    The Virgin Charlie – Scene 3

    In his dressing room, Mother Mary explains to Charlie that he is pregnant with the son of god and offers him tips from her experience. Eventually, Charlie accepts that he will be a parent, and vows to protect the new messiah.

    La Maupin – II. Introduction

    La Maupin introduces herself to the audience, sharing some of the gossip that has been spread about her.

    La Maupin – III. The First Affair

    Maupin tells the story of a scandalous love affair from her youth, culminating in a daring escape from a convent.

    La Maupin – IV. The Artist

    Maupin takes to the stage of the Paris Opéra.

    La Maupin – VI. The Last Love

    Maupin remembers her romance with the Countess de Florensac.

    Gould’s Wall – Scene 1

    Louise, a young talented artist, arrives and prepares for her first climb.  She is seeking excellence, precision, and beauty.  It is a quest toward attaining perfection in her art.  Louise connects with her inspiration, support and icon: Glenn Gould.  Their journey together begins.

    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.

    Jacqueline – “Cancellation” – voice and cello

    Angry and frustrated at her physical inability to play, Jacqueline cancels her remaining performances.

    Gould’s Wall – Scene 4

    The Mother appears at the window.  She shares memories, loving praise and admonishments.  The development of her child's talent and success has been her life's focus.

    Gould’s Wall – Scene 5

    The Celebrity is hosting a party.  He calls out to Glenn and persuades him to play the piano with him for his guests.  The guests gossip about the past performances and bad reviews while simultaneously applauding the artist.

    Gould’s Wall – Scene 6

    Glenn tells Louise that applause should be banned.  The Housewife shares the profound impact of witnessing Glenn's performance.

    Gould’s Wall – Scene 7

    Both Louise and Glenn are tired.  They share stories about their nightmares.

    Gould’s Wall – Scene 8

    Louise and Glenn talk about their daily rituals.  Re-energized, Louise wants to get back to climbing again.  She starts muscling her way upward, urged on by thoughts of fame.  Glenn's focus turns to his various medications and need for isolation.  Glenn feels a sharp pain and struggles to support Louise.  Both start to lose their grip, and Lo...

    Gould’s Wall – Scene 9

    Glenn is lost in a painful memory of The Mother in hospital.

    Gould’s Wall – Scene 10

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

    Gould’s Wall – Scene 11

    Louise is ready.  She chooses a climb, exploring and unleashing her own full voice as she travels upward.

    Jacqueline – “Dizzy” – voice and cello

    In her prime, Jackie admits she finds the pace of touring life dizzying. The sycophants at parties are starting to get to her.

    Bandits in the Valley – Opening Scene – voices, percussion, and accordion

    George celebrates the 25th anniversary of his paper mill with an important announcement. Lily is introduced. Freddy gets some bad news.

    Bandits in the Valley – Group 2, Scene 1: Love Me Lily (aria)

    Henri wonders how, after all this time, it is possible that Lily doesn't reciprocate her feelings of love.

    Bandits in the Valley – Group 2, Scene 2: The Dressing Room

    George has a proposal for Lily. Henri has a confession. The Great Recorder Smackdown happens, and Lily is caught in the crossfire. Lily sends them all away without answering.

    Bandits in the Valley – Finale

    The Vagabond Theatrical Troupe presents!  Jeremiah gives George an ultimatum but has to prove himself first in more ways than one, and all is wrapped up in the finest paper package.

    Bessie – Bessie

    A famous blues singer is warming up in her dressing room before the show. Her partner, Jack, enters and a fight begins.

    Blind Woman – The Blind Woman

    A blind dancer and the shadow of her former sight share a final dance.

    Guitar – Guitar

    A couple fights as a woman leaves to pursue her dream.

    Jacqueline – “Disease” – voice and cello

    In her prime. At a post-gala cocktail party, Jackie ironically confesses she has a terrible disease: glissando-itis.

    Jacqueline – “Samson” – voice and cello

    Comparing herself to Samson, Jackie and her husband have a tangled night of love one rainy night.

    The Virgin Charlie – “Little one I aim to help you” (aria)

    Charlie sings gently to his child, the Messiah, who he has been chosen to bear.

    Jacqueline – “Telephone” – voice and cello

    On a phone call with her mother, Jackie is admonished. She begs her mother to visit. She’s alone with fragments of memory.

    Jacqueline – “Run” – voice and cello

    Delirious, Jackie envisions running to the ocean again through the fields, this time with her sister, Hilary. She asks that Hilary not tell Daniel about the disease.

    Jacqueline – “Bathing in the Sea in October” – voice and cello

    Jackie tells us how she can blur the lines between fantasy and reality at will. She can escape the confines of her chair by dreaming of bathing in the sea. She wonders where Daniel is, and who he’s seeing.

    Jacqueline – “You and Me” – voice and cello

    Jacqueline, the child, tells her cello they will play great concert halls and make records.

    Jacqueline – “Intense Perfumes” – voice and cello

    Jacqueline remembers playing in the fields with her sister in her childhood, and the fragrance of wildflowers.

    Jacqueline – “Psychoanalysis” – voice and cello

    Jacqueline experiences symptoms, but her physical illness is undiagnosed, and she is instead told it is hysterical or psychosomatic.

    Jacqueline – “Dirty Joke” – voice and cello

    Jacqueline enjoys telling a joke about some monks' sexual arousal.

    Jacqueline – “Mon Ami” – voice and cello

    Jacqueline remembers happy times with her cello in childhood.

    The Virgin Charlie – “Step ever so softly now…” (aria)

    Drag performer Charlie sings a number in the persona of the Virgin Mary.

    COR

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