This year’s tour includes Sudbury and Timmins in northern Ontario, and several communities in and around the Greater Toronto area.
Operas Inspire Students and Teachers
The annual tours, initiated more than 20 years ago, introduce the magic of opera with child-friendly 45 to 50-minute English language performances in full costume with sets and props to students of kindergarten to grade six classes. Sponsored by Xstrata, they represent the COC’s efforts to inspire young people in studies of performing arts, and to provide educators with ideas for using opera in classrooms.
A session of questions and answers with members of the cast and crew follows each performance.
Isis and the Seven Scorpions
Travelling first to Sudbury and Timmins area schools, the ensemble performed Canadian composer/librettist Dean Burry’s Isis and the Seven Scorpions – a commissioned opera based upon the Egyptian myth of Isis and Osiris. It follows three archaeology students as they search for an ancient cure to help their professor who was stung by a poisonous scorpion. Their quest takes them to the Lost Temple of Isis and knowledge of ancient wisdom and the power of forgiveness.
- Creative Team Director, Ashlie Corcoran
- Music Director, Timothy Cheung
- Set and Costume Designer, Brent Krysa
- Professor Hornsby/Set, Christopher Enns
- Sally Smith/Isis, Jacqueline Woodley
- David Sands/Osiris/Scorpions, Jon-Paul Décosse
- Molly Brown/Nephtys/Tahamet, Lindsay Barrett
Hansel and Gretel
A special adaptation of Engelbert Humperdinck’s full-length1893 opera, Hansel and Gretel presents the Grimm Brothers’ classic fairytale of a brother and sister who encounter an evil witch while lost in the dark forest, and charms young audiences with its irresistible characters and enchanting music.
- Creative Team Director, Joel Ivany
- Music Director, Jenna Douglas
- Set and Costume Designer, Brent Krysa
- Father/Sandman, Philippe Sly/Neil Craighead
- Hansel, Rihab Chaieb
- Gretel, Lise DiMaria
- Gertrude, Mother to Hansel and Gretel, Ambur Braid
- Witch, Michael Barrett
Performances and Workshops
“As part of a special opera residency in Sudbury and Timmins this year, the Xstrata Ensemble Studio School Tour offered introductory workshops to schools receiving a performance of Isis and the Seven Scorpions.” Dean Burry led workshops presenting Introduction to Opera for elementary school children, and Director Ashlie Corcoran presented Introduction to Directing workshops for high school students. As well, educators received a professional development workshop on classroom usage of opera led by Corcoran.
Featuring 59 performances that reach more than 15,000, with audiences averaging 300 young people, the productions provide opportunity for young professionals of the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio to display their talents.
Note: Images courtesy of Canadian Opera Company
Kathleen Airdrie - Kathleen has thirty years' freelance writing experience covering history, biographical profiles, environmental and social issues
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