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:
Four Victorian women sit down for a most unusual tea time. The women have two things in common: their dislike of the other women and of their husbands. Each woman refuses to drink tea for one reason or another while brainstorming ideas such as poison, prison, bee-stings or drowning. But
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.
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.
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: One Lump or Two?Composer: Glenn JamesLibrettist: Sandy PoolCommissioned By: Tapestry OperaLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRun Time: 15Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description ButlerhighC4-G5A clumsy butler, in love with Lady GersteinLady Gersteinmiddle-highA3-G5An older aristocratic lady, completely unaware of what is going onLady Greymiddle-highA3-E5An older aristocratic lady, timid, with a
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: 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 ?
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
Irish pirate Chieftain Grace O’Malley sneaks into the bedroom of Queen Elizabeth I of England, and convinces the Queen to give her back her ship and free her lover. In return Grace will attend the Queen’s birthday celebration and cause a sensation – which delights Liz.
OVERVIEW Title: The Two GracesComposer: Sean FergusonLibrettist: Alexis DiamondCommissioned By: Tapestry OperaLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRun Time: 10Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description LizhighC4-C6Elizabeth I, Queen of England and IrelandGracemiddle-highG3-G5Grace O'Malley, pirate and Irish chieftain Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Clarinet in
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.
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
OVERVIEW Title: The Perfect ScrewComposer: Abigail RichardsonLibrettist: Alexis DiamondCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRun Time: 40Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description P. L. Robertsonmiddle-lowG2-Bb4Inventor of the Canadian ScrewAmaliahighBb3-D5Modern-day woman, building furniturePhillipsmiddleC3-D5Inventor of the American ScrewHenry Fordmiddle-highG3-F#5Founder of Ford Motor Please Note: The table above has content
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.
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
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,
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.
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.
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
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.
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,
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
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.
OVERVIEW Title: See SawComposer: Andrew StanilandLibrettist: Anna ChattertonCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRun Time: 30Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description TrishhighBb3-Db6A young girl, heartbrokenGinamiddle-highF#3-A5Trish's friendRalphmiddleE3-Bb4Trish's ex-boyfriend, rides a bicycle Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Clarinet in Bb, Percussion,
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
OVERVIEW Title: RestorationComposer: Gareth WilliamsLibrettist: Michael PollardCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRoles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description Blockamiddle-highG#3-Gb4A woman being examined by doctors Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Piano SYNOPSIS A woman is being examined by various doctors.
OVERVIEW Title: Opposites AttractComposer: Iman HabibiLibrettist: Phoebe TsangCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRun Time: 8Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description Ericamiddle-highA3-Bb5Coupled with KeithJackiehighE4-G5Coupled with AlexKeithmiddleC#3-A4Coupled with EricaAlexmiddle-lowE3-C#4Coupled with Jackie Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Piano Part 1 Video
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.
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.
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.
Pavlo reads Oksana’s letter to her parents telling them she’ll be home on November 8, her birthday. They are thrilled, and get carried away planning a party for her.
On the eve of Oksana’s departure, Father Alexander has to go to pick up another woman in distress. He leaves his knife with Oksana because she is afraid Konstantin will show up. Lyuba and Oksana say their goodbyes.
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.
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.
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.
Brindisi refugee shelter: Father Alexander and social worker Clara work with the refugees. An injured Oksana arrives and asks for help; Lyubia, who escaped when the boat docked, is among the refugees and recognizes Oksana.
Asa and Sofiya are checking the cards. Pavlo arrives with the news that a priest called from Italy to say that Oksana is alive, but there is no sign of Natalyia.
Though others are at first suspicious, Russian Konstantin convinces Ukranian teenagers Nataliya and Oksana to come work for him at a hotel in Romania for the summer.
Sofiya goes to Asa to have her cards read for news of Oksana. The police will not treat Oksana’s disappearance as crime, as she went with the men willingly. The cards say Oksana has been robbed of her soul.
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.
OVERVIEW Title: Noor Over AfghanComposer: Christiaan VenterLibrettist: Anusree RoyCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRun Time: 39Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description NoorhighC4-C6Afghani woman, sister to JaanJaanmiddle-highB3-F5Afghani woman, sister to NoorRafiquemiddleD3-B4Jaan's husband-to-bePriestmiddle-lowG2-Eb4A PriestChorushighSSAChorus Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Piano
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.
OVERVIEW Title: My Eyes are Bright and SparklyComposer: Rene OrthLibrettist: Colleen MurphyCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRun Time: 6Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description Stephaniemiddle-highAb3-C6A young woman preparing for a dateVoice 1highB3-B5The voices inside her headVoice 2middleC2-B4The voices inside her headVoice 3middle-lowAb2-C4The voices inside her head
Westerner Jackie and sherpa Pasang summit Everest without using oxygen cannisters. Soon their victory turns into a culture clash as they argue about their affair and the mountain, and slowly die of hypoxia.
OVERVIEW Title: Mother EverestComposer: Abigail RichardsonLibrettist: Marjorie ChanCommissioned By: Tapestry OperaLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRun Time: 17Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description Jackiemiddle-highAb3-G5A womanPasangmiddle-lowA2-F#4Her sherpa Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Clarinet in Bb, Percussion, Piano, Violin, Cello SYNOPSIS Content warning: death Just
OVERVIEW Title: Little Miss All CanadianComposer: Lembit BeecherLibrettist: Liza BalkanCommissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist LaboratoryLanguage: EnglishProducer: Tapestry OperaRun Time: 4Roles: Role Voice Type Range ? Character Description Eunice RosehighC4-C6A mother of a pageant competitorSamanthamiddle-highC4-D5An audience member Please Note: The table above has content that is scrollable left to right.Orchestration: Piano SYNOPSIS