Slavery – COR

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Operas

The Enslavement and Liberation of Oksana G.

Content warning: captivity, sex trafficking, sex work, sexual violence, violence, death

The Enslavement and Liberation of Oksana G. is a fictional dramatic opera built on extensive factual research. Set in Ukraine in 1997, it is the story of Oksana, a young woman lured into the world of sex trafficking by a Russian recruiter, Konstantin, who ...

Composer: Aaron Gervais

Librettist: Colleen Murphy

The Enslavement and Liberation of Oksana G.

Of the Sea

Content warning: descriptions of enslavement, violence, sexual violence, death

A father will do anything to save his daughter. Of the Sea follows the story of Maduka, his daughter Binyelum, and fellow Africans thrown overboard during the Middle Passage who now populate mythical underwater kingdoms that span the ocean floor. Amidst the waves, ...

Composer: Ian Cusson

Librettist: Kanika Ambrose

Pomegranate

On a fateful school trip to the ruins of Pompeii, the fantasies of smitten teenagers Suzie and Cass are ignited. They are transported from 1977 to 79 AD, where they discover romantic freedom in the looming shadow of Mount Vesuvius – but not for long. The timeline shifts to 1981 and the Fly by Night, a Toronto lesbian bar, in the aftermath of the...

Composer: Kye Marshall

Librettist: Amanda Hale

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Excerpts

The Enslavement and Liberation of Oksana G. – Act 1, Scene 4

In Greece at a bar, three women are held captive: Konstantin sends Lyubia with a businessman, Natalyia with the Immigration officer who cuts her, and Oksana is bought by Konstantin at auction. Konstantin then offers to the crowd a gang rape just as the police arrive to raid the bar. Instead, he escapes with Oksana and Natalyia.

The Enslavement and Liberation of Oksana G. – Act 1, Scene 6

On the Albanian coast the women captives wait for the boat to Italy. Oksana is still defiant, trying to figure out an escape for herself and others. The boat and Konstantin arrive, and Oksana fails to convince him to free her and Natalyia.

The Enslavement and Liberation of Oksana G. – Act 2, Scene 3

Screaming, Oksana awakens from a nightmare; Father Alexander comes to her and she admits she may have let Natalyia drown to save herself. The Father counsels forgiveness of herself and others, but Oksana is not convinced that is possible.

The Enslavement and Liberation of Oksana G. – Act 2, Scene 4

Dima has found Oksana at the refuge, and shows Konstantin a photograph of her as proof.

The Enslavement and Liberation of Oksana G. – Act 2, Scene 6

Refugees are trying on clothes, when Dima and Konstantin enter looking for Oksana. Konstantin offers Father Alexander money for Oksana and Clara calls the police; Konstantin and Dima leave before the police arrive.