Stage Door News
Stage Door News
A soldier's homecoming is thwarted by an encounter with the Devil in Igor Stravinsky's inventive theatrical work that evokes the traveling fair shows of his childhood.
Toronto Masque Theatre returns to Soulpepper’s Global Cabaret Festival with a production of Stravinsky's thrilling The Soldier's Tale (L’Histoire du Soldat), featuring acclaimed performers drawn from the worlds of music, theatre and dance. Stravinsky and librettist C. F. Ramuz created this masterpiece as a response to the horrors of the First World War. Our production commemorates the 100th anniversary of that conflict.
Narrated by TMT Artistic Associate and Soulpepper Resident Artist Derek Boyes, the production will feature dancers Sébastien Ventura and Stéphanie Brochard. Choreography will be by TMT Artistic Associate Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière and projection design will be by Montreal-based visual artist Caroline Guilbault.
Artistic Director Larry Beckwith will conduct a virtuoso ensemble of instrumentalists that include Guy Few on cornet and Erika Raum on violin. A full list of all performers is at the end of this press release.
Larry Beckwith, Artistic Director of Toronto Masque Theatre had the following to say about the production:
“The Soldier’s Tale is a work of invention and drama and we have assembled a group of performers and designers who will create a production filled with beauty and intelligence. Speaking as a musician, I am particularly excited by the musicians I’ll be working with, including violinist Erika Raum – one of my idols; the staggeringly talented trumpeter Guy Few; trombone legend Alistair Kay and jazz bassist Andrew Downing.”
Background to The Soldier’s Tale
Based on a Russian folktale, The Runaway Soldier and the Devil, and created in the shadow of the First World War, The Soldier's Tale was conceived by Stravinsky and Ramuz as a theatrical work "to be read, played, and danced" ("lue, jouée et dansée"). Envisioned as an inexpensive, portable production like those that played in the provincial fairs of Stravinsky’s childhood, The Soldier’s Tale tells the bittersweet story of a common soldier whose homecoming is thwarted by an encounter with The Devil. Created during one of the most trying periods of Stravinsky’s lifetime, as he was struggling financially and distressed by the strife occurring in his homeland, the narrative mirrors his own inability to return home (due to border restrictions after the Revolution) despite his successes abroad.
The work premiered in Lausanne on 28 September 1918 and features an eclectic score that ranges from modernist to jazz, classical to folk. Stravinsky invented a new style, pared down to essentials, in melody, rhythm and instrumentation. The Soldier’s Tale is scored for seven instruments: clarinet, bassoon, cornet, trombone, violin, double bass and percussion.
Stravinsky famously stated:
“I have always had a horror of listening to music with my eyes shut, with nothing for them to do. The sight of the gestures and movements of the various parts of the body producing the music is fundamentally necessary if it is to be grasped in all its fullness.”
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What
Igor Stravinsky's classic The Soldier’s Tale, as told by performers drawn from the worlds of music, theatre and dance. Presented by Soulpepper as part of their Global Cabaret Festival.
When
Saturday, October 25, 6:45 PM and Sunday, October 26, 1:00 PM. A pre-show chat with Artistic Director Larry Beckwith and guests will be held 30 minutes before each performance.
Where
Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane in the Distillery District.
How
Tickets: $23 in advance; $26 the day of; $20 for students. Available as part of Toronto Masque Theatre's subscription series. Single tickets available online via Toronto Masque Theatre or by calling 416 410 4561. Single tickets also available from Soulpepper’s Global Cabaret.
Who
For more information on Toronto Masque Theatre please go to our website.
2014-10-01
Toronto: Toronto Masque Theatre presents Stravinsky's "The Soldier's Tale" October 25-26