Amplified Opera returns to live performance in March with AMPLIFY 1.0, a concert series performed at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) within Jeffrey Gibson’s installation, I AM YOUR RELATIVE. The concert series features three separate programs – MisogyME, Wreckonciliation and SPOTLIGHT – that highlight diverse stories and perspectives within classical music, and are curated to represent each artist’s personal and professional experiences on a specific theme. Performances run from March 17 to March 20.
“We can’t think of a better way to return to live performance than with the concert series that started it all,” says Amplified Opera Co-Founder Asitha Tennekoon. “We are so fortunate to be embarking on this journey with MOCA Toronto as our partner. When we heard about Jeffrey Gibson’s exhibition, it felt as if the stars were aligning. Using art as a place for the public to gather and engage in conversation is what Amplified Opera is all about.”
The first concert, MisogyME, deconstructs toxic masculinity and explores what it means to be a man in today’s world. Directed by Canadian-American stage director Michael Mohammed, the concert features Bermudian-American baritone Jonathan Christopher and pianist/conductor Topher Mokrzewski. The second concert, Wreckonciliation, features mezzo-soprano Marion Newman and baritone Jonathon Adams in an exploration of western classical music in relation to indigenous culture, assimilation and erasure. Director and playwright Yvette Nolan stages the piece.
The third concert, SPOTLIGHT, explores the struggles and triumphs of disabled persons as they embrace their identity and grapple with the classical ideals set by the opera world. The piece is performed by a team of Canadian Emerging Artists, including director Bridget Ramzy, soprano Megan Miceli and pianist Jennifer Pos, mentored by Amplified Opera’s Aria Umezawa and Teiya Kasahara.
AMPLIFY 1.0 marks a new partnership for Amplified Opera with MOCA, and will be the first live performance produced by the company since 2019. MisogyME/Wreckonciliation will be performed March 17 at 7.30pm, SPOTLIGHT/MisogyME on March 19 at 7.30pm, and SPOTLIGHT/Wreckonciliation on March 20 at 1pm for a pay-what-you-can performance. Tickets and more information available here.
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Angela Bell is Opera Canada’s Digital Media Specialist. She has held digital and PR roles with various businesses including the Walt Disney Company, Sullivan Entertainment and Toronto International Film Festival.
