Toronto’s Against the Grain Theatre (AtG) has announced the commission of composer Dinuk Wijeratne and writer/poet Shauntay Grant’s “Identity: A Song Cycle.” Baritone Elliot Madore will perform the cycle that charts the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery. The song cycle will premiere as a film in 2022 with an eye toward producing a live show in the future. Madore opened up {…}
Handel’s “Messiah” is ubiquitous with the holiday season. Everywhere you look, opera companies and major choral ensembles are revving up to showcasing this towering masterpiece. Even the pandemic has not slowed down the tradition, with companies turning to unique approaches to the work as a means of sustaining the holiday spirit. Then there’s the “Messiah Complex,” a collaboration between Against {…}
Against the Grain Theatre is set to present “Messiah / Complex” on Dec. 13. The reimagining of Handel’s famed piece will feature a partnership with Toronto Symphony Orchestra and will be co-directed by Joel Ivany, Founding Director of Against the Grain, and Reneltta Arluk, Director of Indigenous Arts at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. The performance lasts 70 minutes {…}
Against the Grain Theatre has launched a unique online initiative over the course of the next eight weeks. The organization will be present #AtgTV, a digital programming series that will be available for streaming on the company’s Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Twitch accounts every week. There will also interviews and other publications appearing every few weeks. The program will kick {…}
(Credit: Met Opera) ***UPDATE: Opera America has released a comprehensive database of all streaming options from around the world with more details about schedules and offerings. We highly recommend you check it out here. There are a lot of opera companies currently offering up streaming services for opera lovers around the world. While we have published individual pieces over the {…}
(Image Source: Against the Grain Theatre Official Website) As with many other companies around the world, Against the Grain Theatre is excited to share video performances from the past. In this case, the company is showcasing its famed production of “La Bohème” via CBC Arts. The showcase was toured throughout Canada back in the fall between Sept. 27 through Nov. {…}
Against the Grain Theatre is set to showcase “Figaro’s Wedding” this December at the Enoch Turner School House in Toronto. The production, which will run for 12 performances, is staged as a real wedding with audience members as guests. A string quartet will accompany a special arrangement of the Mozart work with Alexandra Smither in her company debut as Susanna. {…}
Against the Grain Theatre has announced that Robin Whiffen will be its first-ever Executive Director. She will join Founder and Artistic Director Joel Ivany in central leadership positions. Jonathan MacArthur, who was General Manager for three years, has transitioned to a new role as Digital Marketing Director. Miriam Khalil, who was previously Artistic Advisor, will now inhabit the role of {…}
In its 10th season, Against the Grain Theatre is set to take Puccini’s “La Bohème” on tour all across Canada and even live stream a performance via CBC Arts on Oct. 13, 2019. The live stream will be Canada’s first-ever professional opera livestream. The tour will take place between Sept. 27 through Nov. 7 with the first performance in the {…}