An unprecedented convergence between the music of Mahler and the premiere of a work for voices and orchestra sung in Indigenous languages will make for a memorable season finale! Faced with the fragility of human existence, the perpetual renewal of nature has nurtured the dream of immortality in humans. This theme, depicted by Mahler in Das Lied von der Erde, will be echoed by a work composed and written by Indigenous, non-Indigenous, and Métis artists paying homage to life and to the Earth. An extraordinary concert that will bring a promising 2024-2025 season to a close!
MEDICI TV
https://www.medici.tv/en/concerts/rafael-payare-conducts-world-premieres-indigenous-languages-and-mahler-das-lied-von-der-erde-orchestre-symphonique-de-montreal
Mahler’s Song of the Earth With Rafael Payare Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal
World Premier: You Can Die Properly Now - Ana Sokolovic and poetry by Michelle Sylliboy
The Glenn Gould School Spring Opera: Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte
First Lady in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Die Zauberflöte
The annual staged opera in Koerner Hall will be Mozart’s popular Magic Flute, conducted by Jennifer Tung and directed by Allison Grant. In this masterful comedy about love, truth, and the pursuit of enlightenment, prince Tamino sets off to rescue Pamina, the beautiful daughter of the Queen of the Night, from the mysterious Sarastro. But with the help of the bird catcher Papageno and three Spirits as their guide, Tamino discovers an even bigger adventure, and is united with his love along the way. Sung in German with English surtitles.
Source: https://www.rcmusic.com/events-and-performances/the-glenn-gould-school-spring-opera-(4)
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by James Lapine
Directed by Richard Ouzounian
Conducted by Paul Sportelli
One of Sondheim’s most popular works, this Tony Award-winning musical takes everyone’s favourite storybook characters and brings them together for a timeless yet relevant modern classic.
The story follows a Baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King's Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch's curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone's wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results.
ARTISTIC TEAM
Richard Ouzounian, Director
Paul Sportelli, Music Director
Arun Srinivasan, Designer
Genny Sermonia, Choreographer
Kevin Bowers, Stage Manager
David Atkinson, Assistant Conductor
Stephan Ermel, Rehearsal Pianist
INTO THE WOODS
Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI)
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI
Cinderella’s Mother in Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods
The Glenn Gould School Fall Opera: Debussy’s L’Enfant Prodigue
Students from The Glenn Gould School’s vocal program present The Glenn Gould School Chamber Opera on two evenings in November. This season’s offering will be a double bill of Maurice Ravel’s L'enfant et les sortilèges in a chamber reduction of piano four hands, flute, and cello, and Claude Debussy’s L’enfant prodigue in a chamber reduction for nine instrumentalists and piano with a new libretto, sung in English. Conducted by Connor O’Kane and directed by Mabel Wonnacott.
Emma played the role of Lia in Debussy’s L’enfant prodigue.
Source: https://www.rcmusic.com/events-and-performances/the-glenn-gould-school-chamber-opera-ravels-lenfan
Awarded second place at the Canadian Opera Company’s prestigious Centre Stage competition. The Canadian Opera Company’s Centre Stage is an annual gala and showcase dedicated to discovering and nurturing the next generation of operatic talent. At this prestigious event, emerging opera singers from across Canada compete for a place in the COC Ensemble Studio, Canada’s premier training program for young opera professionals. Held at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto, Centre Stage features thrilling performances from finalists, offering audiences a glimpse of Canada’s rising opera stars. Winners receive scholarships and the opportunity to join the Ensemble Studio, gaining mentorship, stage experience, and training from leading opera professionals
The Canadian Opera Company’s Centre Stage Competion -
Second Place Winner!
Commemorate The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation-With Tanya Tegaq, Emma Pennell, and others
Presented by The Royal Conservatory of Music and Koerner Hall October 1st 2024.
To commemorate the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, Indigenous artists gather to reflect, pay respect, and to give hope to survivors of residential schools.
Headlined by the internationally celebrated Inuit singer Tanya Tagaq performing with the Royal Conservatory Orchestra conducted by Jennifer Tung, the evening will include healing laughter, storytellers, testimony, traditional drum and dance, an appearance by Elder Jacqui Lavalley, performances by Afro/Indigenous/Colombian/Canadian singer Lido Pimienta, the Manitou Mkwa Singers, Layla Staats, The Glenn Gould School soprano Emma Pennell, and others.
June 2024 -Workshop showing of an opera adaptation of the beloved comedic novel by Thomas King, composed by Ian Cusson, libretto by Royce Vavrek.
A peek behind the curtain at the creative process in a workshop presentation of this light comic story of middle aged couple Mimi and Bird as they face ageing and each other on a spontaneous trip to Prague.
Featuring faculty member Marion Newman in the role of Mimi.
An Against the Grain and Edmonton Opera Commission.
The Glenn Gould School Spring Opera - Mere Marie in Poulenc’s Dialogue des Carmelites
March 2024 - The Glenn Gould School and The Royal Conservatory Orchestra performs Francis Poulenc’s heartbreaking masterpiece ““Dialogues des Carmélites.” Set during the French Revolution, Dialogues des Carmélites tells the story of 16 condemned Carmelite nuns and Blanche de la Force's quest for refuge.
Directed by: Stephen Carr
Conducted by: Nicolas Ellis
Set & Costume Design By: Shannon Lea
Lighting Design By: Jason Hand
Wig Design By: Brooklyn Johnson
The Glenn Gould School’s Chamber Opera - The Skater in Ka Nin Chan’s Ice Time
November 2023 -Students from The Glenn Gould School’s vocal program presented five short and mostly comic works with a common, distinctly quirky Canadian sensibility, all commissioned and premiered by Toronto’s Tapestry Opera between 2002 and 2009. Settings include a park, an ice rink, a hardware store, an ant colony, and a sock drawer.
Peter Tiefenbach returns once again as music director, with director Dana Fridkin and designer Adriana Bogaard.
March 2024 - Shakespeare’s timeless classic The Merry Wives of Windsor, brilliantly set to music by the great Giuseppe Verdi, sees Sir John Falstaff finally get his due. This promises to be a performance of hijinks and fun with the titular role performed by Western Music's own faculty members Theodore Baerg and Chad Louwerse. This is an opera not to be missed for its wonderful music and hilarious comedy. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.