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    • FAQ – For Users
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    Canadian Opera Resource
    Canadian Opera Resource
    COR
    Operas
    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
    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

    Pub Operas (The Sloans Project)
    Pub Operas (The Sloans Project)
    Rocking Horse Winner
    Content warning: illness, death

    Rocking Horse Winner primarily explores the relationship between Paul, a young adult, and his emotionally distant mother, Ava.

    Paul is driven to bridge the relationship with his mother, but Ava s...
    Composer: Gareth Williams
    Librettist: Anna Chatterton

    Rocking Horse Winner
    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
    Opposites Attract
    Across eight brief vignettes, couples experience small moments of frustration, miscommunication, and attraction.
    Composer: Iman Habibi
    Librettist: Phoebe Tsang

    Opposites Attract
    Opposites Attract
    Noor Over Afghan
    Noor Over Afghan is set in Afghanistan, and tells the story of two young Afghani sisters, Noor and Jaan. But Jaan is dying, and begs Noor to take her place in the marriage and have her child. By the time the groom finds out, Jaan will have died. They swap places, Noor disguised by the veil.
    Composer: Christiaan Venter
    Librettist: Anusree Roy

    Noor Over Afghan
    Noor Over Afghan
    The Call of the Light
    Content warning: gun violence, death, mass shooting

    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.
    Composer: Iman Habibi
    Librettist: Bobby Theodore

    The Call of the Light
    The Call of the Light
    My Eyes are Bright and Sparkly
    “Hate your stupid earrings, hate your ugly shoes.” 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. Nothing is right – everything is wrong. It is a...
    Composer: Rene Orth
    Librettist: Colleen Murphy

    My Eyes are Bright and Sparkly
    The Perfect Screw
    Nominated for a 2009 Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding New Musical/Opera, this 40-minute tragi-comedy about creative integrity, autonomy, and the right fit is an allegorical tale that dismantles the ironies of capitalism; a parody of cross-border relations; a romance.

    Due to the all-powerful Ford selecting the American Phillips screw for...
    Composer: Abigail Richardson
    Librettist: Alexis Diamond

    The Perfect Screw
    The Perfect Screw
    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
    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
    Iron Road
    Content warning: racism, colonialism, violence, death

    In 1880’s China, Lai Gwan, a young impoverished woman, stands on the brink of momentous change. Her dying mother urges her to respect and honour the memory of her father, Manli, whose disappearance to the New World haunts them both.

    Armed with the hope that she will find her father aliv...
    Composer: Ka Nin Chan
    Librettist: Mark Brownell

    Iron Road
    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
    The Shadow
    Barcelona, 1900. Against the backdrop of Gaudi’s surrealist Parc Guell, Raoul, a humble postman, falls for the beautiful Allegra, whose father is a wealthy aristocrat on his mail route. To impress Allegra, Raoul disguises himself as Hernando, a “wealthy suitor,” and borrows money from the local mafia to impress the girl. Raoul goes deeply into d...
    Composer: Omar Daniel
    Librettist: Alex Poch-Goldin

    The Shadow
    The Shadow
    The Waterfall
    Content warning: sexual harassment, violence, fire

    A northern land, the end of winter. A cold, dusky pre-dawn on the edge of a mountain; across the valley roars a mighty waterfall. In this valley there are two farms, one poor - owned by Runa, a single woman - and one rich, owned by Olaf, who wishes Runa for his bride.

    Olaf proposes to Runa...
    Composer: Norbert Palej
    Librettist: Maja Ardal

    The Waterfall
    The Waterfall
    Dark Star Requiem
    Content warning: illness, death, HIV/AIDS

    Dark Star Requiem is a poetic chronicle of the 25 years (as of 2010) of HIV-AIDS, reflecting the many faces of the disease and those affected by the pandemic.
    Composer: Andrew Staniland
    Librettist: Jill Battson

    Dark Star Requiem
    The Waterfall (LIBLAB)
    Content warning: death, infanticide, murder

    A rumble of hooves. A family is fleeing, but the baby is slowing them down. The mother is forced to choose between her husband and her child. She chooses the husband and tries to get the baby to sleep before letting it go over a waterfall. At the last minute, the baby awakes, and the mother’s grief ...
    Composer: Norbert Palej
    Librettist: Maja Ardal

    The Waterfall (LIBLAB)
    The Waterfall (LIBLAB)
    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
    Elsewhereless
    Content warning: genocide, colonialism, death, gun violence, death of a child, violence against animals

    “Nothing is as comforting as captivity.”

    Beth, a young diplomat, and her husband Andrew are stationed at a Canadian Embassy in Africa. They are troubled by news of political upheaval, forced migrations and indiscriminate slaughter. They ...
    Composer: Rodney Sharman
    Librettist: Atom Egoyan

    Elsewhereless
    The Translator
    Content warning: death, incarceration, interrogation, suicide, torture

    A translator at a secret prison for suspected terrorists witnesses extreme torture and death of detainees. She leaks the information to news broadcasters, but the government covers it up as a hoax. Her supervisor begs her to say nothing more about the things she has seen -...
    Composer: David Ogborn
    Librettist: Leanna Brodie

    The Translator
    The Translator
    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
    Facing South
    Content warning: illness, death, colonialism

    Facing South is inspired by the life story of American Arctic explorer, Rear Admiral Robert Edwin Peary, and his contested discovery of the North Pole in 1909. The opera takes place in the inner landscape of Peary’s mind during the last hours of his life in February 1920, as he lies dying of pernic...
    Composer: Linda Catlin Smith
    Librettist: Don Hannah

    Facing South
    COR
    Excerpts
    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...

    The Perfect Screw – Act 3, Scene 4

    All sing the praises of the Robertson screwdriver.

    TAP:EX Augmented Opera – Section 5: “Fragments”

    Eurydice C remembers different versions of her lover in an Arioso, Bourrée, and Passacaglia. She questions what might have been, before Calliope calls her back to the present.

    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 ...

    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 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...

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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 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 Sermon – The Sermon

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

    The Translator – The Translator

    2003: After leaking torture photos to the internet, American army translator Alessandra Jenson refuses to be hushed up, and live streams her suicide in protest.

    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.

    Iron Road – Act 2, Prologue: The Dream

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

    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 – “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 – “Cuba Libre”

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

    Dark Star Requiem – “Black Lion”

    The soloists describe AIDS as a black lion and a pack of hyenas, while the chorus continues listing medications.

    Dark Star Requiem – “Requiem”

    A funereal narration accompanied by a choral requiem.

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

    Miriam becomes a bully and destroys Elijah's kite.

    Facing South – Scene 8: “Constellations”

    Henson helps Minik reach the land of the dead; Peary and Josephine argue about Peary's Inuit children.

    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 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 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!

    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.

    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.

    Lullaby at the Shore – Lullaby at the Shore

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

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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 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.

    Opposites Attract – Scene 8

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

    Otherworld – Otherworld

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

    COR

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