Against the Grain Theatre has announced that its acclaimed, Canadian re-imaging of Handel’s “Messiah,” titled “Messiah/Complex,” will return for an encore presentation running from April 1-13, 2021.

The work, which comes in partnership with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, features 12 soloists and four choirs, representing every province and territory in Canada. Artists performed in Dene, Inukitut, Southern Tutchone, Arabic, and French. The 70-minute video is codirected by AtG Founding Artistic Director Joel Ivany, and Director of Indigenous Arts at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity Reneltta Arluk. Johannes Debus of the Canadian Opera Company conducts members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

“Our work reimagines this standard oratorio by illuminating the diversity of artists across what we now call Canada,” says Deantha Edmunds, a “Messiah/Complex” featured soloist from Newfoundland and Labrador. ”It is a joy to sing one of my favourite Handel arias in Inuttitut, as translated by a respected Elder and teacher in Nunatsiavut.”

Among the Canadian artists are Jonathon Adams, Looee Arreak, Spencer Britten, Rihab Chaieb, Catherine Daniel, Deantha Edmunds, Leela Gilday, Miriam Khalil, Andrea Lett, Diyet va Lieshout, Julie Lumsden, and Elliot Madore. The featured choirs are Le Choeur Louisbourg, the Halifax Camerata Singers, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, and the University of Prince Edward Island Chamber Chorus.

Registration for the event is free of charge, with options to donate to the company or pay what you like.