Vera Causa Opera's final production of the 2018/2019 season is our second annual Canadian Opera Fest, featuring brand new opera creations from local composers, librettists, and innovators.

Canadian Opera Fest 2019 features five brand new short operas written by local students and composers. Each opera is poignant and unique, tackling important and touching social issues including family, influence of technology, and mental health. With a total run time of only one hour and ten minutes, this year's Canadian Opera Fest will make you laugh, cry, and everything in between.

The programme: 

• The Village Girl 

Concept by Chloe Bissada, with words and music by Dylan Langan.

The Village Girl is a charming tale of a young girl who wants to purchase a cow for her family's farm to help boost the town's economy, but the mean marketer refuses, putting the town on the brink of starvation. The opera explores family and responsibility, and is full of exciting and beautiful melodies that will be stuck in your head until the cows come home. The Village Girl will be performed in English.

• Refracted

Words by Charlotte Lilley and music by Emma Verdonk

Refracted is a semi-abstract exploration of the influence of media and technology on one's self-perception. A young girl debates with her reflection on how her culture is effecting her, and whether it is a welcome influence or not. Refracted will be performed in English. 

• La jugement

Words by Emma Lemieux and music by Dylan Langan

La jugement is an emotional musical soliloquy, relaying the story of a young woman battling an eating disorder. La jugement will be performed in French. Please note that this opera may be triggering to those suffering with eating disorders and eating disorder survivors.

• The Shoemaker's Orphans

Words by Rivi and Kyri Friedman and music by Emma Verdonk

The Shoemaker's Orphans takes place in France in the year 1600, during the outbreak of the Black Plague. After losing their father to the terrible disease, two sisters embark on a mission to prevent the spread of the disease with the help of their kindly aunt. The Shoemaker's Orphans features beautiful melodies and countless heartwarming moments. The Shoemaker's Orphans will be performed in English.

• L'étrange et belle

Words by Lexie McCorkindale and Vanessa Kerr, with music by Dylan Langan

L'étrange et belle tells the story of an unstable young woman and her tempestuous relationships with her friends when she invites them to stay at her house for a Christmas celebration. This opera is fiery and intense, and will leave you hanging on the edge of your seat. L'étrange et belle will be performed in French.

Canadian Opera Fest 2019

Friday, June 14th, 2019  7:00pm

Cambridge Centre for the Arts

60 Dickson St, Cambridge, ON

Saturday, June 15th, 2019  7:00pm

Knox Presbyterian Church

50 Erb St W, Waterloo, ON

Sunday, June 16, 2019  2:00pm

Harcourt Memorial United Church

87 Dean Ave, Guelph, ON 

For tickets, visit www.vcopera.ca.

Free Student Dress Rehearsal

We are offering a free dress rehearsal for Canadian Opera Fest with educational workshops on June 14th in Cambridge. Click here to sign up and join in on the fun!