Tapestry Opera has revealed spectacular rehearsal photos from their new show Gould’s Wall, a Tapestry Opera and Maniac Star production presented by The Royal Conservatory’s 21C Music Festival.

Interdisciplinary artist Lauren Pearl (Le nozze di Figaro: Figaro’s Wedding, Against the Grain Theatre; Poèmes pour Mi, Canadian Opera Company) got to grips with The Royal Conservatory of Music’s historic Atrium wall for the first time this week, in preparation for her role as young artist Louise in Tapestry’s new, daring opera.

The staging covers new ground; the Atrium wall has never been used to stage a performance before. Safety is top-priority for the cast and creative team, with rigging design, installation and operation managed by film and television special effects company DangerBoy. Lauren is also in intensive training at climbing gym Rock Oasis.

Gould’s Wall is a brand new opera, written by Liza Balkan, composed by Brian Current, and directed by Philip Akin. The show, premiering in Glenn Gould’s 90th year, is a tribute to Gould and other artists’ challenging pursuit of perfection. The production features characters inspired by figures from Gould’s life, including his mother and his mentor. The characters will appear in the Atrium windows, with Lauren interacting with them on her climb.

Gould’s Wall makes its world premiere January 12 - 16, 2022 in The Royal Conservatory of Music’s Atrium. Tickets are on sale now.

Photo: Lauren Pearl at RCM. © 2021 Dahlia Katz.