Piano – COR

COR

Operas

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

Pub Operas (The Sloans Project)

Content warning: murder, death, corpse

Composer Gareth Williams and librettist David James Brock created a site-specific promenade opera inspired by Glasgow's oldest pub, Sloans. The audience moves through the 250-year-old pub and encounters a series of scenes telling stories of love, loss, revenge and forgiveness.

Composer: Gareth Williams

Librettist: David James Brock

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

COR

Excerpts

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.

Pub Operas (The Sloans Project) – Chopin’s Ghost (aria)

A bar manager recounts the night she heard Frederick Chopin play piano, and the effect it had on her relationship with the bar’s resident piano player.

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.

Gould’s Wall – Scene 3

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

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 Louis...

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.