Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Tapestry Opera’s flagship opera creation program, the Composer-Librettist Laboratory (LIBLAB), has been bringing together composers and writers for two decades, resulting in over 160 new opera shorts and more than a dozen full world premieres across Canada, the United States, England, and Scotland. The biennial program is a unique incubator of contemporary opera that brings together established and emerging artists over a two-week period to experiment and form lasting collaborations. With mentorship from dramaturges and experienced interpreters, works-in-progress are performed during the laboratory by a resident ensemble. Since 1995, Tapestry has nurtured over 100 creators through this unique program. Tapestry LIBLAB alumni include Ann-Marie MacDonald, Atom Egoyan, James Rolfe, Marjorie Chan, Morris Panych, Hannah Moscovitch, and Nic Gotham.
Tapestry’s Artistic Director Michael Hidetoshi Mori explains, “LIBLAB is one of Tapestry’s most exciting programs, not only as a fertile ground for future works, but as a meeting place for some of the most inspired minds in music and theatre. The Composer-Librettist Laboratory is the launch pad for an opera-development process that involves reviewing and selecting pitches, then commissioning, developing and refining the operas to prepare them for world premiere productions. Shows like Rocking Horse Winner, The Overcoat: A Musical Tailoring, and Oksana G. are great examples of the success of this process.”
This year’s librettist participants include 2 time Governor-General’s award-winning playwright Colleen Murphy, rising star Kanika Ambrose, Guildhall artist-fellows Lila Palmer and Daniel Solon, whose works have been produced on both NYC and London, UK opera and musical theatre stages. Composers joining the 2018 program are: Rene Orth, composer in residence at Opera Philadelphia, Benton Roark, composer of last season’s Dora-nominated Bandits in the Valley, Ian Cusson, Carrefour composer in residence with the NAC, and August Murphy-King. The 2018 LIBLAB ensemble will be led by musical directors Jennifer Tung and Andrea Grant and director Michael Hidetoshi Mori and includes soprano Teiya Kasahara, mezzo-soprano Stephanie Tritchew, tenor Keith Klassen, and baritone Peter McGillivray.
This September 13-16, in the Ernest Balmer Studio at the Distillery District, the raw and exciting results of the 2018 LIBLAB will be presented as Tapestry Briefs: Tasting Shorts, a program of opera vignettes, expected to range from poignant and topical to hilarious accompanied by a tasting flight of tapas
Tapestry Opera, under the artistic direction of Michael Hidetoshi Mori, is a company dedicated to developing and producing world-class new opera relevant to a contemporary and diverse public, incorporating the evolving aesthetics and means of the present day.
About Tapestry Opera
Tapestry Opera (tapestryopera.com) is a Toronto-based company that creates and produces from the heart of here and now. For 39 years, the company has presented award-winning works by preeminent artists, brought to life by some of the most talented and versatile performers of the contemporary stage. As Canada’s leader in opera development, Tapestry Opera is committed to cultivating new creators and performers to serve the evolution of the art form and build a lasting Canadian repertoire.
2018-08-03
Toronto: Tapestry Opera announces its 2018/19 LIBLAB composers and librettists