We have always believed it is absolutely essential to feature new works and new innovations, as well as the classics. Since the beginning, we have been seeking the perfect opportunity and the perfect new works for Essential Opera. Three young Canadian composers have joined us to create a triple bill of short operas, exploring the lives of women from the early 20th century to today. We’re excited to bring these new Canadian works to our audience in the concert format they have already come to love - but we’re going to need your help.
Check out our past performances on our website (http://www.essentialopera.com) and YouTube channel! (http://www.youtube.com/user/EssentialOpera/videos)
The OperasMUSICAL TEAM:Music director: Cheryl Duvall
Conductor: David Passmore
CAST:Erin Bardua, soprano
Maureen Batt, soprano
Julia Morgan, mezzo
Keith O’Brien, baritone
Jesse Clark, baritone
EtiquetteComposed by Monica Pearce, libretto by John Terauds
Pitting politeness and perfection against the harsher facts of life, through the eyes of Dorothy Parker, Emily Post and Nancy Astor.
Learn more about Monica and her music on her website:
http://www.monicapearce.comReginaComposed by Elisha Denburg, libretto by Maya Rabinovitch
The story of Regina Jonas, the first woman to be ordained a rabbi - in 1935 Berlin - and the young student who discovers her truth.
Learn more about Elisha and his music on his website:
http://www.elishadenburg.com Heather (Cindy + Mindy = BFs 4EVER)Composed by Christopher Thornborrow, libretto by Julie Tepperman
A hard-hitting introduction to the vicious reality of online bullying between girls and young women.
Learn more about Chris and his music on his website:
http://christhornborrow.com/ This project has a number of elements that require fundraising:
- Compensation for the amazing creative work of the composers and librettists - without them, the operas wouldn’t exist!
- New works need additional exploration. The singers don’t have access to the usual research materials, recordings, videos, and background info on the operas, so they need more time to explore their roles, including spending time with the composers and librettists on top of their usual musical coaching.
- To give a complete performance of the scores, we’ve hired an instrumental ensemble according to the composers’ scoring.
- Because of the complexity of the music and the instrumental ensemble, we can’t get by without a conductor to hold the whole thing together!
- At least one of the scores involves complex multimedia elements - double projections, sound effects, and people to make those happen during the show.
These new elements come on top of the expenses of producing any performance:
- Compensation for the amazing singers bringing the scores to life
- Compensation for our brilliant music director
- Rental costs for the performance hall and rehearsal spaces
- Administrative and promotional costs, so that we have an audience at the show!
We hope you’ll consider supporting the many hardworking artists involved in this amazing project.
You can also:
See you at the performance on April 5, 2014 - 8pm at Heliconian Hall in Toronto!