(Credit: Chris Randle / City Opera Vancouver)

On March 26, City Opera Vancouver released the comic cantata “Perruqueries” on the company’s YouTube channel. Composed by Jocelyn Morlock to Bill Richardson’s libretto, the video work explores wigs and the people who wear them. Viewing is free.

Storied wig-wearers Bobby Hull, Andy Warhol, and Galina Vishnevskaya, among others, get combed over in the 25-minute piece.

The cantata was produced by Alan Corbishley and filmed by Chris Randle in late-January 2019 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. The show stars soprano Robyn Driedger-Klassen, bass-baritone Peter Monaghan, and pianist Tina Chang.

It is the second work presented by City Opera Online after its contemporary adaption of Poulenc’s “La voix humaine,” featuring tenor Isaiah Bell and pianist Roger Parton. A third production, Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally’s “At the Statue of Venus,” is planned for release in June.