Home
Margaret Atwood’s “Pauline” opera
City Opera Vancouver has announced casting for "Pauline";, an opera by Canadian literary star Margaret Atwood, to be directed by Norman Armour. "Pauline"; will open May 23, 2014 for a five-performance run at Vancouver's newly restored York Theatre.
"Pauline"; is Margaret Atwood's first opera, and is set at Vancouver in March 1913, in the last week in the life of poet, writer, and actress Pauline Johnson.
''She had courage, brains and beauty, like many of the best operatic heroines. She also led a double life, in which a secret love, a jealous sister and an early death were elements,"; commented Atwood.
In announcing the cast City Opera president Nora Kelly said of the opera: "Haunted by failure, torn by her dual identity as both Mohawk and white, Pauline Johnson fights to confront her past before the end, as her doctor tries to control the pain and her sister tries to control the story that will be told. It is an extraordinary work of art.";
"We are delighted with the cast that we have assembled for this important new work"; concluded Ms. Kelly.
Starring in the role of Pauline Johnson will be dramatic mezzo Rose-Ellen Nichols. Born and raised in Pender Harbour, BC, and of Coast Salish First Nations heritage, Rose-Ellen graduated from UBC with a Masters in Opera. She has appeared in numerous productions, including the premiere of Veda Hille's "Jack Pine"; as Rebecca (Vancouver Opera); Menotti's "The Old Maid and the Thief"; as Mrs. Todd; in Ireland's Wexford Festival; and, in the premiere of Arthur Bachmann's "What Brought us Here"; as Fadila (Calgary Opera).
Co-starring as Pauline's sister Evy will be soprano Sarah Vardy. She holds a degree in Vocal Performance from the Vancouver Academy of Music, and is currently studying with Rebecca Hass. Sarah has sung with the Regina Symphony Orchestra, Saskatoon Symphony, Saskatoon Opera, Pacific Opera, and Lyric Opera Studio Weimar. Her stage credits include Floria Tosca (Tosca), Countess (Le Nozze di Figaro), Mercedes (Carmen), Fiordiligi (Cosi fan tutte), and Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni). Ms. Vardy recently made her European debut as Floria Tosca with Opera Wroclawska in Poland.
Appearing in four different roles will be tenor Ken Lavigne. One of the founding 'Canadian Tenors, Ken studied at the University of Victoria with Susan Young and Alexandra Browning-Moore, and at the Victoria Conservatory of Music with Selena James. Further study took him to Wales with Stuart Burrows, and New York with Joan Dorneman. He has appeared at Carnegie Hall in a one-man show, and with Pacific Opera Victoria, Portland Opera, Burnaby Lyric Opera, and in 2012 created the role of Phillip in City Opera's Fallujah.
Also singing in "Pauline"; will be bass John Minà gro as Grandfather Smoke; mezzo Cathleen Gingrich as Mother and Nurse; baritone Edward Moran as Father, Minister and Smiley; and, sopranos Diane Speirs and Eleonora Higginson as two ladies.
"Pauline"; is composer Tobin Stokes' fifth opera. Regarding its music, he observed, "This is the most unique, inspiring text I've ever worked with. The colourful characters and forces that surround and beckon her are dramatic, passionate, and exciting. What more could a composer ask? The music is set to illuminate the pushes and pulls of duality, and the trailblazing beauty that is Pauline Johnson.";
"Pauline"; opens May 23, 2014 at the York Theatre, and runs May 25, 27, 29 and 31. Tickets will go on sale at The Cultch in mid-January 2014.
CAST & CREW
Producers: Nora Kelly and Janet Lea
Stage Director: Norman Armour
Assistant Stage Director: Cameron Mackenzie
Production Manager: Jayson Mclean
Stage Manager: Ingrid Turk
Set and Visual Design: Marianne Nicolson
Lighting Design: John Webber
Costume Design: Mara Gottler
Research Consultant: Lorna Brown
Advisor: Lindsay Katsitsakatste Delaronde
Coach and pianist: David Boothroyd
Orchestra contractor: Jim Littleford
Music director and conductor: Charles Barber
THANKS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: City Opera Vancouver wishes to thank the numerous private and public donors who have made possible this commission and world premiere. They include:
Accent Inns
BC Arts Council
City of Vancouver, Cultural Services
Hamber Foundation
Heffel Fine Art Auction House
Estate of Kitty Heller
Leon and Thea Koerner Foundation
Tom Lee Music
McLean Foundation, Toronto
The late Abraham Rogatnick
SFU Vancity Office of Community Engagement
Stern Partners, Inc
Vancouver Foundation
Website: www.cityoperavancouver.com
"Pauline"; is Margaret Atwood's first opera, and is set at Vancouver in March 1913, in the last week in the life of poet, writer, and actress Pauline Johnson.
''She had courage, brains and beauty, like many of the best operatic heroines. She also led a double life, in which a secret love, a jealous sister and an early death were elements,"; commented Atwood.
In announcing the cast City Opera president Nora Kelly said of the opera: "Haunted by failure, torn by her dual identity as both Mohawk and white, Pauline Johnson fights to confront her past before the end, as her doctor tries to control the pain and her sister tries to control the story that will be told. It is an extraordinary work of art.";
"We are delighted with the cast that we have assembled for this important new work"; concluded Ms. Kelly.
Starring in the role of Pauline Johnson will be dramatic mezzo Rose-Ellen Nichols. Born and raised in Pender Harbour, BC, and of Coast Salish First Nations heritage, Rose-Ellen graduated from UBC with a Masters in Opera. She has appeared in numerous productions, including the premiere of Veda Hille's "Jack Pine"; as Rebecca (Vancouver Opera); Menotti's "The Old Maid and the Thief"; as Mrs. Todd; in Ireland's Wexford Festival; and, in the premiere of Arthur Bachmann's "What Brought us Here"; as Fadila (Calgary Opera).
Co-starring as Pauline's sister Evy will be soprano Sarah Vardy. She holds a degree in Vocal Performance from the Vancouver Academy of Music, and is currently studying with Rebecca Hass. Sarah has sung with the Regina Symphony Orchestra, Saskatoon Symphony, Saskatoon Opera, Pacific Opera, and Lyric Opera Studio Weimar. Her stage credits include Floria Tosca (Tosca), Countess (Le Nozze di Figaro), Mercedes (Carmen), Fiordiligi (Cosi fan tutte), and Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni). Ms. Vardy recently made her European debut as Floria Tosca with Opera Wroclawska in Poland.
Appearing in four different roles will be tenor Ken Lavigne. One of the founding 'Canadian Tenors, Ken studied at the University of Victoria with Susan Young and Alexandra Browning-Moore, and at the Victoria Conservatory of Music with Selena James. Further study took him to Wales with Stuart Burrows, and New York with Joan Dorneman. He has appeared at Carnegie Hall in a one-man show, and with Pacific Opera Victoria, Portland Opera, Burnaby Lyric Opera, and in 2012 created the role of Phillip in City Opera's Fallujah.
Also singing in "Pauline"; will be bass John Minà gro as Grandfather Smoke; mezzo Cathleen Gingrich as Mother and Nurse; baritone Edward Moran as Father, Minister and Smiley; and, sopranos Diane Speirs and Eleonora Higginson as two ladies.
"Pauline"; is composer Tobin Stokes' fifth opera. Regarding its music, he observed, "This is the most unique, inspiring text I've ever worked with. The colourful characters and forces that surround and beckon her are dramatic, passionate, and exciting. What more could a composer ask? The music is set to illuminate the pushes and pulls of duality, and the trailblazing beauty that is Pauline Johnson.";
"Pauline"; opens May 23, 2014 at the York Theatre, and runs May 25, 27, 29 and 31. Tickets will go on sale at The Cultch in mid-January 2014.
CAST & CREW
Producers: Nora Kelly and Janet Lea
Stage Director: Norman Armour
Assistant Stage Director: Cameron Mackenzie
Production Manager: Jayson Mclean
Stage Manager: Ingrid Turk
Set and Visual Design: Marianne Nicolson
Lighting Design: John Webber
Costume Design: Mara Gottler
Research Consultant: Lorna Brown
Advisor: Lindsay Katsitsakatste Delaronde
Coach and pianist: David Boothroyd
Orchestra contractor: Jim Littleford
Music director and conductor: Charles Barber
THANKS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: City Opera Vancouver wishes to thank the numerous private and public donors who have made possible this commission and world premiere. They include:
Accent Inns
BC Arts Council
City of Vancouver, Cultural Services
Hamber Foundation
Heffel Fine Art Auction House
Estate of Kitty Heller
Leon and Thea Koerner Foundation
Tom Lee Music
McLean Foundation, Toronto
The late Abraham Rogatnick
SFU Vancity Office of Community Engagement
Stern Partners, Inc
Vancouver Foundation
Website: www.cityoperavancouver.com
Submitted on September 26, 2013 in By David.
