The Affiliation for Opera in Canada (AOC) has introduced the finalists for the 2023 version of the New Canadian Works Pitch Program, funded by the Azrieli Basis. This system provides the contributors a possibility to pitch their works to potential collaborators, together with producers, co-producers, co-commissioners and presenters.
A jury chosen candidates and their proposed works based mostly on their inventive benefit, together with the viability of the venture, and its influence on the world of opera normally.
“We’re excited to introduce and showcase these deserving opera tasks on the OPERA America Convention in Pittsburgh this Could,” mentioned Christina Loewen, Government Director of AOC in a press release. “We consider that by selling and spotlighting new works by equity-seeking artistic groups, we assist to outline a singular Canadian opera id, resulting in a extra various, productive and resilient future opera sector.”

The finalists
Every of the finalists will get an opportunity to pitch their works at a devoted occasion hosted by the AOC which is able to happen at he OPERA America Convention in Pittsburgh in Could 2023. Together with the chance, they’ll obtain skilled pitch teaching, and a bursary that can offset the prices of pitch prep, journey, and attending the convention.
Likht Ensemble, Toronto: Jewish Area Lasers
This one-hour piece makes use of theatrical components in a cabaret-style have a look at Jewish artists on the earth of classical music. Piano-vocal duo Likht consists of Nate Ben-Horin and Jaclyn Grossman. The duo is devoted to performing the work of Jewish composers from the Holocaust.
Luka Kawabata ????, Vancouver: The HAFU ??? Mission
Artwork music serves because the medium for an examination of id and tradition rooted in autobiography. Luka is an immigrant with a multiracial id that has left him with few ties to group. The vocal venture is in regards to the means of therapeutic.
Opera NUOVA, Edmonton: Silence
This new opera by Leslie Uyeda and Darrin Hagen is predicated on Moira Buffini’s play Silence (1999). It’s a darkish comedy that takes a satirical have a look at energy and the powerless, fears and freedom, via the lens of hope.

Rebecca Grey and Rachel Grey, with Musique 3 Femmes, Montréal: Raccoon Opera
This chamber opera makes use of masks and projected animations for a powerful visible part to a piece that appears at Canada’s housing disaster. The story of a tenant and their raccoon creates an absurdist comedic lens via which to look at millennial burnout and twenty first century city life.
The Arts Overseas Program, via the Canada Council of the Arts permits for 2 extra candidates.
Haui, Sean Mayes and the Canadian Opera Firm, Toronto: Aportia Chryptych
This Canadian Opera Firm manufacturing makes use of a mixture of spoken phrase, hip-hop, jazz, and RnB, together with classical opera idioms. Aportia Chryptych: A Black Opera for Portia White is a politically minded work with a purpose of bringing inventive and cultural communities collectively in a celebration of Black tradition.
Opera 5, Toronto: Come Nearer
With music by Ryan Trew, libretto by Rachel Krehm, and poetry by Elizabeth Krehm, Come Nearer is a chamber work that takes an emotional have a look at the grief of shedding a sister. It’s based mostly on the private experiences of Rachel Krehm, who misplaced her sister Elizabeth to habit.
The entire finalists’ works may be discovered on AOC’s On-line New Works Showcase, a searchable on-line showcase for opera programmers, co-producers, and presenters to search out new works and works-in-development.
Good luck to everybody on the pitching occasion.
#LUDWIGVAN
Get the day by day arts information straight to your inbox.