OVERVIEW Title: Sooner Than LaterComposer: Cecilia LivingstonLibrettist: David YeeCommissioned By: Tapestry OperaLanguage: EnglishRoles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description Soonmiddle-lowA2-G4A fatherLatemiddleC3-E4His adult son Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Piano SYNOPSIS Content warning: gun violence, strong language, terminal illness, attempted assisted suicide A

OVERVIEW Title: Before the Last MeterComposer: Saman ShahiLibrettist: Isabella DawisCommissioned By: Atlanta OperaLanguage: EnglishProducer: Atlanta Opera (Remounted by Watershed Fesitval)Run Time: 12Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description AthletehighC4-C6Paralympic athlete visiting Atlanta to competeFormer Atlanta ResidentmiddleC3-G4Former Atlanta resident who was evicted due to Olympic construction Please Note: The table above

View more photos below - click here OVERVIEW Title: DeirdreComposer: Healey WillanLibrettist: John CoulterCommissioned By: CBCLanguage: EnglishProducer: Royal Conservatory Opera School (University of Toronto Opera Division)Run Time: 110Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description DeirdrehighA foundling girl, ward of ConocharPrince NaisimiddlePrince of Ullah, son of UsnaghKing Conocharmiddle-lowKing of UllahLeverchammiddle-highDeirdre's nurseA

CAST: Danielle Buonaiuto and Adanya Dunn | PHOTO CREDIT: Michael CooperCAST: Teiya Kasahara and members of the COC Chorus | PHOTO CREDIT: Michael CooperCAST: Teiya Kasahara (from the 2019 production) | PHOTO CREDIT: Dahlia Katz View more photos below - click here OVERVIEW Title: PomegranateComposer: Kye MarshallLibrettist: Amanda HaleCommissioned By:

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.

A boy and his mother make up ways of killing an unnamed woman.  When the game is over, the boy asks what would happen if they killed the woman “for real,” if it would make his father love them again.

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.

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.

Medusa sings from beyond the grave, reaching out to her children and her two sisters. She tells the story of her rape by the god Poseidon and murder by the hero Perseus. 

Pegasus recounts a dream in which their mother Medusa asks them to find her severed head. They reflect on the harrowing circumstances of their birth and their relationship with their brother Chrysaor and father Poseidon.

Maupin remembers her romance with the Countess de Florensac.

Xiao Lian performs the Qingming ceremony to honour the spirit of her departed father and mother. Love and fellowship combine in the running of a dragon boat race. Xiao Lian joins her friends and crosses into her future.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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,

OVERVIEW Title: The Waterfall (LIBLAB)Composer: Norbert PalejLibrettist: Maja ArdalCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishRun Time: 8Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description Womanmiddle-highA3-Ab5A woman fleeing pursuers with her husband and babyMan/Waterfallmiddle-lowAb2-Eb4The woman's husbandWaterfallhighC4-Eb5The voice of a waterfallWaterfallmiddleE3-Eb4The voice of a waterfall Please Note: The table above has content that

Ava is disappointed in her birthday celebration, and Paul asks her why she isn’t happy.

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

View more photos below - click here OVERVIEW Title: Airline IcarusComposer: Brian CurrentLibrettist: Anton PiatigorskyCommissioned By: Opera Breve VancouverLanguage: EnglishProducer: Soundstreams and Maniac StarRun Time: 45Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description Workermiddle-lowAn airline workerBusiness ManlowA plane passengerAd ExechighA plane passengerScholarmiddleA plane passengerFlight Attendantmiddle-highA flight attendant, dissatisfied with her jobVoiceshighSSAATBChorus

CAST: Todd Jang and Alicia Ault | PHOTO CREDIT: Dahlia KatzCAST: Mike Fan, Mishael Eusebio, Grace Lee, Alicia Ault, Alyssa Nicole Samson, Keith Lam | PHOTO CREDIT: Dahlia KatzCAST: Evanna Lai | PHOTO CREDIT: Dahlia Katz View more photos below - click here OVERVIEW Title: Dragon’s TaleComposer: Ka Nin ChanLibrettist:

CAST: Rebecca Cuddy | PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen BellCAST: Rebecca Gray and Hillary Jean Young | PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen BellCAST: Hillary Jean Young | PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Bell View more photos below - click here OVERVIEW Title: Medusa’s ChildrenComposer: Colin McMahonLibrettist: Charlie PetchCommissioned By: OperaQLanguage: EnglishProducer: OperaQRun Time: 50Roles: Role Voice

CAST: Camille Rogers | PHOTO CREDIT: Lauren HalaszCAST: Trevor Chartrand and Camille Rogers View more photos below - click here OVERVIEW Title: La MaupinComposer: Colin McMahonLibrettist: Camille RogersCommissioned By: Camille RogersLanguage: EnglishProducer: Camille RogersRun Time: 35Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description Maupinmiddle-highA3-A5A queer, gender-non-conforming opera singer, living in France

CAST: Emily Spearing, Scott Belluz, and Katherine Semchuk | PHOTO CREDIT: Elana EmerCAST: Scott Belluz | PHOTO CREDIT: Elana Emer View more photos below - click here OVERVIEW Title: R.U.R. A Torrent of LightComposer: Nicole LizéeLibrettist: Nicolas BillonLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry Opera and OCAD UniversityRun Time: 90Roles: Role Voice Type Range ?

CAST: PHOTO CREDIT: Dahlia KatzCAST: Suzanne Taffot | PHOTO CREDIT: Dahlia KatzCAST: Jorell WIlliams | PHOTO CREDIT: Dahlia Katz View more photos below - click here OVERVIEW Title: Of the SeaComposer: Ian CussonLibrettist: Kanika AmbroseCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera and Obsidian TheatreLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry Opera and Obsidian TheatreRun Time: 90Roles: Role

OVERVIEW Title: Where You LiveComposer: Iman HabibiLibrettist: Michael PollardCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRoles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description The Street PersonhighC4-Ab5A street personThe Business PersonmiddleF3-C5A business person Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Piano SYNOPSIS A businessman is

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.

A businessman is waiting for a streetcar, with his back to an unhoused woman. The two silently judge each other. The man is annoyed at seeing someone who wants something for nothing, and the woman is feeling judged for a situation she has no control over. The two finally acknowledge

OVERVIEW Title: Where is AvaComposer: Ivan BarbotinLibrettist: Katherine KollerCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRoles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description EddiemiddleE3-G4A man, in love with ChloeMattmiddle-lowF2-D4Chloe's athlete ex-husbandChloemiddle-highB3-G5A woman, in love with Eddie Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Piano

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.

OVERVIEW Title: What is She?Composer: John HarrisLibrettist: Anna ChattertonCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRun Time: 6Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description RunnerhighD4-B5A runnerDoctor 1middleB2-B4A doctorDoctor 2middle-lowB2-G4A doctor Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right. SYNOPSIS A meditation on the discrimination

A Gardener, lost in the wilderness, ends up at Madonna’s cabin. She recognizes him as the man in her dreams and vows to heal him of his grief.

OVERVIEW Title: The Handless Maiden: Scene 8 (Wash the Loss)Composer: Benton RoarkLibrettist: Katherine KollerCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRun Time: 8Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description MadonnahighE4-B5A girlGardenermiddleD3-G#4A gardenerChorusmiddle-highA3-F#5ChorusChorusmiddleE3-C5ChorusChoruslowA2-D4Chorus Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Piano SYNOPSIS Based on

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

OVERVIEW Title: UnfamiliarComposer: Darren FungLibrettist: Dave DeveauCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishRoles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description Laurenmiddle-highC4-D5A girl Jamie is interested inJamiemiddleF#3-A4A boyStevemiddle-lowC3-F#4His friend Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Piano SYNOPSIS Content warning: black-out drinking A night out celebrating

Two sisters are outside by the river talking. One sister describes the boy she hopes to be with, and the other sister admits that she is pregnant with his baby. Jealousy is a deadly emotion.

OVERVIEW Title: Two SistersComposer: Benton RoarkLibrettist: Lila PalmerCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRun Time: 8Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description Helenmiddle-highG3-B5A pregnant woman, Diana's sisterDianahighC4-B5A girl in love, Helen's sister Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Piano Video Recording

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.

OVERVIEW Title: The WaterfallComposer: Norbert PalejLibrettist: Maja ArdalCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRun Time: 8Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description The WaterfallhighB3-A5SATB ChorusThe Waterfallmiddle-highB3-E5SATB ChorusThe WaterfallmiddleB2-A4SATB ChorusThe WaterfallhighG2-E4SATB Chorus Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Piano SYNOPSIS Content warning:

Traumatized by her experiences, Alessandra reflects on her work as a translator in an American military prison.

Colonel Crane, Alessandra’s supervisor, tersely tells her to lose what her perceives as her naive sense of morality: “We are just here to win.”

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.

OVERVIEW Title: The TranslatorComposer: David OgbornLibrettist: Leanna BrodieCommissioned By: Tapestry OperaLanguage: English, PashtoProducer: Tapestry OperaRoles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description Alessandra Jensenmiddle-highAb3-A5A young military interpreter who suffers from post-traumatic stress after witnessing the brutal torture of detainees, age 26Colonel CranelowEb2-E4In his 50s, a career military intelligence officer whose philosophy

Two women watch and worry as the church elder walks through town with a telegram carrying news of a soldier son’s death.

OVERVIEW Title: The TelegramComposer: Gareth WilliamsLibrettist: Bernard MacLavertyCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRoles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description Woman 1highEb4-Bb5A womanWoman 2middle-highBb3-F#5A womanTown Eldersilent-spokensilentA middle-aged man Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Piano SYNOPSIS Content warning: death, war During

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

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

OVERVIEW Title: The Rape of ArtemisiaComposer: Ivan BarbotinLibrettist: Hannah MoscovitchCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRoles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description Artemisiamiddle-highE4-B517th-century painter Artemisia GentileschiTassimiddle-lowB#2-E4Her rapist and instructor Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Piano SYNOPSIS Content warning: sexual violence

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

A young religous brother tells an older brother that he is planning to leave the order. The older brother advises caution and obedience.

OVERVIEW Title: The LeavingComposer: Stephen Andrew TaylorLibrettist: Bernard MacLavertyCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRoles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description SebastianmiddleE3-A4A religious brother, in his late 20sBenedictmiddle-lowG#2-F#4A religious brother, in his late 60s Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Piano

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.

A young woman, Laurel, runs through a dark forest, filled with anxiety and haunted by disturbing memories.

Laurel stabs the Stranger, killing him. As his body slides to the ground to rest at her feet, she begins to feel a new sense of freedom, not realising that it is at the cost of her conscience and her humanity. The aria should be performed with an improvisational blues

OVERVIEW Title: The LaurelsComposer: Jeffrey RyanLibrettist: Michael Lewis MacLennanCommissioned By: Tapestry OperaLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRun Time: 13Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description LaurelhighG#3-Db6A womanStrangermiddle-lowA3-C5A stranger Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Clarinet in Bb/Bass Clarinet, Percussion, Harp, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass

After a painful argument, a mother tells her son the truth of his father’s absence and tries to comfort him.

OVERVIEW Title: The Drawing ClassComposer: Christiaan VenterLibrettist: Sheldon RosenCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRoles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description StudenthighF#4-F#5A studentTeachermiddle-highB3-C5A teacher Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Piano SYNOPSIS Content warning: war, the Holocaust, concentration camp As soldiers

OVERVIEW Title: The Golden BoyComposer: Darren JLibrettist: Anusree RoyCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRun Time: 5Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description Mamamiddle-highC4-G5MotherSonhighE4-G#5Son Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Piano SYNOPSIS The scene is divided into two sections: a tense

A teacher tries to inspire and distract a student as soldiers march outside their classroom, but the student is unable to escape into her imagination.

Daniel sings of his fear at the prospect of going down into the cellar of his childhood home, after his father has died.

Judith sings angrily at her brother when he expresses his desire to leave their childhood home after their father has died.

Back in his childhood home after the death of this father, Daniel kills his sister when she wants to resume their childhood sexual relationship.

OVERVIEW Title: The Cellar DoorComposer: Melissa HuiLibrettist: Jovanni SyCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRoles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description DanielmiddleC3-B4Judith's brotherJudithhighA3-D6Daniel's sister Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Clarinet in Bb, Percussion, Harp, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass SYNOPSIS

OVERVIEW Title: The Call of the LightComposer: Iman HabibiLibrettist: Bobby TheodoreCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRun Time: 4Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description LortiemiddleG#2-F#4Canadian Forces corporalChorushighF#4-C#5VictimChorusmiddle-highE4-B4VictimChorusmiddle-lowA3-D#4Victim Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Piano Video Recording View more videos below

Late at night, Allie receives a visitation from her deceased best friend, Karen.

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.

OVERVIEW Title: Tea at ThreeComposer: Katya PineLibrettist: Sheldon RosenCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRun Time: 7Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description AlliehighF4-B5A womanKarenmiddle-highA3-F5Allie's deceased best friend Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Piano SYNOPSIS Late at night, Allie receives

OVERVIEW Title: Still the NightComposer: John AlcornLibrettist: Theresa TovaLanguage: EnglishRoles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description Bryna/TybelehighA young Jewish Polish girl, escaped from the NazisLittle BrynahighBryna's younger cousin Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Percussion, Violin, Piano SYNOPSIS Content warning: antisemitism, genocide, Holocaust,

OVERVIEW Title: Snow GlobeComposer: Ian CussonLibrettist: Colleen MurphyCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRun Time: 6Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description SharonhighBb3-Bb5SisterMattmiddle-lowEb3-Gb4Brother Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Piano Video Recording View more videos below - click here SYNOPSIS A

OVERVIEW Title: Sleep, SleepComposer: John HarrisLibrettist: Marjorie ChanCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRoles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description MotherhighA3-C#6MotherBoymiddleG2-G4Son Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Piano SYNOPSIS A woman and her grown son are leaving their home. It’s time

Hope introduces the pilot to her family. He leaves, and Hope argues with her parents about going with him.

Hope grows up quickly, climbing out of her crib as a woman of twenty-one. She sings to herself, wanting to leave the house.

Thomas has brought Lise to become Hope’s tutor, but Hope has grown up and wants to leave the house. Lise warns her not to give her love away to just anyone.

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

The pilot watches Hope from afar. They meet and become lovers.

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

OVERVIEW Title: ShelterComposer: Juliet PalmerLibrettist: Julie SalversonCommissioned By: Tapestry OperaLanguage: English, GermanProducer: Tapestry Opera and Edmonton OperaRun Time: 75Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description Lisa Meitnermiddle-highG#-Ab5Nuclear physicistThomasmiddle-lowBb2-E5 (falsetto)FatherClairemiddle-highA3-G5 (extended techniques)MotherHopehighC4-C6 (coloratura)DaughterPilotmiddleD3-B4Air force pilot Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Clarinet in Bb/Bass

Waking early, Agnieska admires her new lover Sumana as she is sleeping. When Sumana wakes, the couple share an intimate conversation and eventually descend into fits of laughter.

Agnieska and Sumana share an intimate night together after meeting in a bar. Memories of past lovers almost make Agnieska give up on this new love, but Sumana convinces her to hold on to hope.

Waking early, Agnieska admires her new lover Sumana as she is sleeping.

Agnieska questions why all of her previous relationships have failed.

OVERVIEW Title: She Sees Her LoverComposer: Craig GalbraithLibrettist: Leanna BrodieCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRun Time: 17Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description Sumanamiddle-highC4-G#5A young womanAgnieskahighC4-Bb5A young woman Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Bass Clarinet, Percussion, Vibraphone, Piano, Violin,

OVERVIEW Title: She is MeComposer: Lembit BeecherLibrettist: Katherine KollerCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRoles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description JannahighBb3-G5A womanGrandpamiddle-lowG2-A4Her grandpa Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Piano SYNOPSIS Content warning: fire, death Janna and her grandpa are

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

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

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

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

Cormack’s study in St. John’s, now Shanawdithit’s room. “Nancy April” reveals she can speak English quite well, and tells Cormack her real name: Shanawdithit. Cormack asks her where the rest of her people are, where her home is. Shanawdithit says simply: they are no more. Shanawdithit reflects on the loss

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 reprimands Cormack for his saviour complex.

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

Shanawdithit, dying, speaks to her ancestors. She is ready to leave this world.

OVERVIEW Title: ShanawdithitComposer: Dean BurryLibrettist: Yvette NolanCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera and Opera on the AvalonLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry Opera and Opera on the AvalonRun Time: 80Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description Shanawdithitmiddle-highA3-G5Beothuk woman, believed by the colonizers to be the last of her peopleWilliam Cormack middle-lowA2-F4An explorer and anthropologistKwe/Spirit Chorus

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.

James and Sydney start their journey. Sydney remembers being young and playing in the forest with her friend Penny. One day, they are both captured, and the family herd is shot.

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