Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Toronto, November 1, 2011: Queen of Puddings Music Theatre proudly presents soprano Betty Allison performing the rarely heard Galgenlieder à 3 (Gallows Songs) by Sofia Gubaidulina. The work – sung in the original German language – is a 15-song cycle featuring the text of German poet Christian Morgenstern (1871-1914). Morgenstern’s whimsical poetry always remains a game – a game involving language, the laws of poetry and a game which, with the help of imagination, enables us to transcend the borders of our mundane existence. Betty Allison shares the stage with Ryan Scott (percussion) and Joseph Phillips (double bass).
This concert is part of NEW VOICES, Queen of Puddings’ concert series introducing outstanding emerging voices singing contemporary repertoire. Canadian soprano Betty Waynne Allison is becoming known to audiences as one who “combines it all -- voice, acting ability, presence and beauty -- in one highly impressive package” (Toronto Sun). Betty hails from Ladysmith, BC. She first came to prominence as a member of the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio. Fresh from a successful debut in Europe as Alice in Verdi’s Falstaff in Metz (France), Betty returns to British Columbia in October to create the title role in Mary’s Wedding, a world premiere production by Pacific Opera Victoria. She looks forward to her U.S. debut in March of 2012 with the title role in Floyd’s Susannah for Florentine Opera in Milwaukee.
Composer Sofia Gubaidulina was born in Christopol in the Tatar Republic of the Soviet Union in 1931. Her music is marked by the use of unusual instrumental combinations. “One of the most admired composers now working… Gubaidulina is a tightrope walker. There are no guidelines in her best music, no expectations to be dutifully fulfilled, and no barriers.” —The New York Times
The Toronto based Queen of Puddings Music Theatre creates boundary bursting music theatre – a music theatre that is dynamic, provocative and precedent setting. The company, founded in 1995 by Artistic Directors Dáirine Ní Mheadhra & John Hess, is acclaimed for its unique aesthetic based on a physical, singing theatre.
Visit www.queenofpuddingsmusictheatre.com for more information.
Betty Allison Sings GALGENLIEDER à 3
Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 8PM
Tank House Theatre/Young Centre for the Performing Arts
55 Mill Street, Building 49, Toronto, ON
Tickets on sale as of November 1st: $25/$15 students/seniors/arts workers; service charges apply.
Please call 416 866-8666 or visit www.youngcentre.ca
Queen of Puddings Music Theatre is generously supported by The Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the Toronto Arts Council, BMO Financial Group and many Foundations and individual donors.
2011-11-01
Toronto: Queen of Puddings presents “Galgenlieder à 3” December 7