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Canadian Opera Resource
Canadian Opera Resource
COR
Operas
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
COR
Excerpts
Iron Road – Act 1, Scene 2: The Iron Road

In Ottawa, Canadian politicians and moguls toast the launch of the Canadian Pacific Railroad. The Railway Foreman James Nichol encourages the workers until the impenetrable Rocky Mountains block their way. The Bookman comes to supply the cheap Chinese labour that will allow Nichol to conquer “The Great Divide.”

Iron Road – Act 1, Scene 3: The Mountain

The Chinese workers are led in and a disguised Lai Gwan challenges Manli the Bookman’s authority. He seeks revenge by assigning Lai Gwan to the most dangerous work in the camp: planting dynamite on the mountain face while suspended in a basket.

Iron Road – Act 1, Scene 5: The Camp

The Chinese workers decide to strike, led by Lai Gwan, after another death with no proper funeral. The strike is put down and Nichol stops Lai Gwan from being hung by Manli. She discovers Manli is her father.

Iron Road – Act 2, Scene 1: The Fight

As Manli and Lai Gwan argue about their situation, Lai Gwan tells of Ama's death, which crushes Manli. He decides to set the next explosive charge himself. Nichol and Lai Gwan recognise their love and follow Manli into the tunnel.

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 3: The Iron Dragon

Workers watch the train come to Eagle Pass - while the whites are happy, the Chinese realize there is no more work for them.

Iron Road – Act 2, Scene 4: The Last Spike

Whites celebrate the finishing of the railway and officially dismiss the Chinese, who blame Manli for abandoning them.

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.

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