The Canadian Opera Company (COC) is opening their virtual doors to a five-day event called Spring Break at the COC: Exploring New Opera.
Designed for audiences between the ages of 12 and 18, the interactive digital video series gives attendees a behind-the-scenes look into the upcoming original opera, Fantasma. Initially cancelled in early October 2020 as part of COVID-19 precautions, this is an interesting sneak peek into a new project in the midst of an otherwise dark winter and spring 2020/2021 COC season.
Opera For Young Audiences Fantasma workshop, 2020. Photo: COC
Makenzie Morgan, COC Opera Teaching Artist, will be hosting the event along with other artists who have participated in the making of Fantasma, as a way for young people to explore what a career in the performing arts is like. After introductions from the artists, each video in the series will give time for viewers to participate in a live Q&A with the opera’s crew.
The new opera Fantasma was commissioned for the COC’s “Opera for Young Audiences” and tells the story of two best friends who find themselves on a ghostly adventure after stumbling upon a troubling secret at an old-fashioned carnival. Fantasma confronts the question: When you become aware of suffering, do you turn away? Or do you take action?
Sharon Ryman and Sandra Corazza at Tudor Style Spotlight Series event, 2018. Photo: Gaetz Photography
The spring break event includes perspectives from the opera’s composer with Ian Cusson, COC Ensemble studio artists tenor Matthew Cairns and pianist Alex Soloway, COC props supervisor Wulf Higgins, costume and make-up supervisors with Sandra Corazza and Sharon Ryman, music therapist with Dr. SarahRose Black, and the director of Fantasma, Julie McIsaac.
Spring Break at the COC: Exploring New Opera will be taking place between April 12-16, 2021 at 2 P.M. EST daily.
For more information about Spring Break at the COC: Exploring New Opera and how to sign-up visit https://www.coc.ca/springbreak.
