Opéra de Montréal (OdeM) has joined forces with the Ballet Opéra Pantomime (BOP) company and I Musici de Montréal (I Musici) chamber orchestra to launch Riders to the Sea/Le Flambeau de la nuit, a collaborative live double-bill production this September, which includes a new work and brings together over 60 artists on stage.
The program features two short operas, Riders to the Sea by Ralph Vaughan Williams and the world premiere of Le Flambeau de la nuit, composed by Hubert Tanguay-Labrosse and with libretto by Olivier Kemeid. The production will have two performances on September 25 and 26th, 2021 in Théâtre Maisonneuve. The two works will be performed without interruption on the same set.
Ensemble rehearsal for OdeM, BOP & I Musici’s production of Le Flambeau de la nuit. Photo: Courtesy of Opéra de Montréal
Echoing the structures of Riders to the Sea, Le Flambeau de la nuit weaves together a story that looks to both the past and present and touches upon the themes of migration and refugees fleeing their country. It follows the tragic journey of a mother and son, and their departure over rough seas in the hope of arriving on a promised shore that offers a better life.
L-R: Canadian Soprano Andrea Núñez. Photo: Brent Calis Photography. Canadian mezzo-soprano Allyson McHardy. Photo: Bo Huang
Directed by Édith Patenaude, with musical direction by Hubert Tanguay-Labrosse, the show brings together artists of all ages and backgrounds including the young artists-in-residence of the Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal and a chorus of 25 young female singers from the École Joseph-François-Perrault. The cast also includes Canadian mezzo-soprano Allyson McHardy and soprano Andrea Núñez, a former member of the Atelier lyrique.
Tickets and more information about the production can be found 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.
