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Michael Mori
Michael hails from over twenty years as a performer and recording artist, eight years as a director, and eight years working in administration including UBC Opera, musica intima, and now Tapestry. Michael began performing as a boy in NYC. His pursuant training has encompassed theatre, dance, and music, including a Masters in Opera Performance. Previous to moving to Toronto, he was a singer, co-Artistic Director, and Artistic Coordinator with Vancouver's musica intima and with them has toured Europe, been nominated for a Juno, and won best classical album in Western Canada. As a stage director Michael has directed or assistant directed operas in Toronto, Vancouver, St. John's, and Dallas, TX. The current Artistic Director of Tapestry, Michael is truly excited about the vitality of contemporary opera and Tapestry's place in championing a renaissance in the music, text, and idiom of performance.
Schmopera says...
Don't miss: Voice of a Nation
Stravinsky's L'histoire du soldat is re-imagined by First Nations choreographer Aria Evans "through a truly Canadian lens"; and mezzo-soprano Rebecca Cuddy sings the new orchestral song cycle by Ian Cusson, Five Orchestra Songs, based on Métis poet Marilyn Dumont's A Really Good Brown Girl. The song cycle is directed by Tapestry Opera Artistic Director Michael Mori.
Don't miss: Bandits in the Valley
"It is fascinating that the average Torontonian's understanding of Toronto's history is pretty limited," says Tapestry Artistic Director Michael Mori. "We are all a pretty new lot here, and so stories about the bandits in the Don Valley in the late 1800s and far-reaching industrial innovations that came from people like George Taylor are news to everyone except historians."
Oksana G.: "It's so out of this world, and yet so realistic."
"This is very common, and I have heard lots of stories like this," she says. Economic desperation, and a certain level of naïveté can make it quite simple for recruiters to entice young women with the promise of decently paying work. Gennadi grew up in the Ukraine, and she is of a similar age to Oksana herself. "I understand this desperate desire to improve your life."
Cross-Canada opera: The Overcoat comes to Toronto & Vancouver
The Overcoat: An Opera has its roots in the 1998 Canadian play by Morris Panych and Wendy Gorling. Rolfe's operatic adaptation is a co-commission with Tapestry Opera and Vancouver Opera, and a co-production between Tapestry, VO, and Canadian Stage.
In review: Songbook VII at Tapestry Opera
For the last few years, one of my favourite events is the Songbook series presented by Tapestry Opera. It's one of my favourite events because it's something I believe we should see more of here in Toronto. As Artistic Director Michael Mori pointed out in his preamble speech, the unfortunate thing that often happens in Canada with new works is that they only get heard once.
Strength in numbers: Indie Opera T.O.
The launch of Indie Opera Toronto includes profiles of each company's history and creative teams, brand new photography by Dahlia Katz, integrated social media for the Indie Opera platforms and each company's own social media outlets, an integrated calendar for all upcoming productions and short films by Darren Bryant.
In review: Rocking Horse Winner
As the autistic son, Paul, Asitha Tennekoon is a revelation. His beautiful leggiero tenor was perfect for playing the delicate Paul. It bridged the gap between full Mozart opera and contemporary musical theatre. But to be honest, his acting is the reason to see this show. I've been watching Asitha grow as a performer over the last couple of years and I have to say that this could literally be a breakout role for this young man. It was endearing, truthful, and raw.
Don't miss: Rocking Horse Winner
This month, Tapestry Opera presents the world premiere of Rocking Horse Winner, a co-commission with Scottish Opera by composer Gareth Williams and librettist Anna Chatterton. The new opera is an adaptation of D.H. Lawrence's short story of the same name, a tale of skewed ideas of love and luck, about a family's constant struggles with money, and their son Paul, who has a curious knack for predicting winning horses at the betting tracks.
In review: The Devil Inside
Oh yeah, and like all good wish-based fairy tales, there's a caveat. If you die in possession of this bottle, your soul is damned to hell for all time; if you sell it, you must sell it for less than you paid for it. Two hours and a bunch of bad decisions later, we find the characters in a very interesting predicament. I won't spoil the show for you, but trust me, it's gooooooooood!
Michael Mori on The Devil Inside
The Devil Inside tells the story of a bottle, inside which is everything you could ever want, yet which can only be sold for less than the price you paid for it. In a Faust-like version of "hot potato", the person who dies while in possession of the bottle has their soul shipped straight to hell. The compelling story by Stuart MacRae and Louise Welsh is an adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's The Bottle Imp, and it had it world premiere in January at Scottish Opera.
He said/she said: Songbook VI
This past weekend marked the sixth in Tapestry Opera's Songbook series, which present new Canadian opera, performed by emerging Canadian artists. It sounds like a simple concept, but these workshop-showcase concerts are consistently an intense and memorable event.
Wallis Giunta & Songbook VI
Canadian mezzo-soprano Wallis Giunta is getting ready to join the Tapestry Opera team for Songbook VI, the sixth annual concert of new operatic works presented by the emerging artists of Tapestry's New Opera 101 program. Giunta chats about working with Tapestry Opera, and the crucial role new music plays in the careers of opera singers today.
Brian Finley's The Pencil Salesman
This summer, Westben Arts Festival Theatre is presenting the premiere of Brian Finley's new opera, The Pencil Salesman. Finley is a pianist and composer, and he's also the Artistic and Managing Director of the Westben Theatre. The Pencil Salesman will be directed by Michael Mori, Artistic Director of Tapestry Opera, and the cast of singers includes John Fanning, Virginia Hatfield, Alexander Dobson, and Donna Bennett.
Roundup, 2015
2015 is almost done, everyone! Slightly incredulous over here. It means it's time for some retrospective writing about notable moments in the opera scene for yet another calendar year. 2015 started tangible conversations about looming issues around opera, the money it costs, and the reasons to produce it. Like water-cooler conversations, but with more substance.
He said/she said: Tap:Ex Metallurgy
Contributor Greg Finney and I went to Tapestry Opera's opening of Tap:Ex Metallurgy last night. It was one of those shows where one review didn't seem to do it justice. So, here's our She said/He said account of one of the coolest operatic events we'd ever seen.
The AGO, now with more music!
The AGO has partnered with Tapestry Opera to launch a new concert series on Friday evenings, each featuring music go to hand-in-hand with what's on at the Gallery. Yesterday the AGO launched J.M.W. Turner: Painting Set Free, an exhibition of over 50 large-scale paintings and watercolours by British artist Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775–1851).
Go see this: Tap:Ex Metallurgy
Tapestry opera continues its kick-ass 2015/16 season with the latest instalment of Tap:Ex Metallurgy. Tap:Ex is a performance series started by Artistic Director Michael Mori, that is "committed to radically redefining the future of opera." Metallurgy blends opera with punk rock, as Canadian punk band Fucked Up shares the stage with tenor David Pomeroy and mezzo-soprano (and chameleon) Krisztina Szabó.
Tapestry Opera's Selfie talks online bullying
Next week, Tapestry Opera opens its new season with a workshop presentation of Selfie, a new opera with text by Julie Tepperman and music by Chris Thornborrow. Selfie was a part of Tapestry's Opera Briefs in past seasons, where Artistic Director Michael Mori says "it received the most support."
In review: M'dea Undone
I went with Greg last night to see M'dea Undone, Tapestry Opera's much-anticipated world premiere by composer John Harris and librettist Marjorie Chan. The short version of this review is that I loved, loved it, and it was one of the most integrated nights out at the opera I'd experienced.
Tapestry Opera at Evergreen Brick Works
Tapestry Opera is getting ready for the world premiere of M'dea Undone, a new opera by John Harris and Marjorie Chan, in the Holcim Gallery of Evergreen Brick Works. Based on the Greek myth of Jason and Medea, M'dea Undone is a collaboration with Scottish Opera, and features a fantastic cast of Canadians.
Schmopera's first panel discussion: Regietheater
Today, we're really excited to present our very first panel discussion, on the topic of Regietheater. With the help of videographer Jeff Higgins, we captured an extended conversation with some of Canada's most opera-savvy folks. The question of interpreting opera led to the unpacking of topics, like what it means to say a piece is done in its "original form."
Building Suspense with The Regietheater Panel
A quick preview of our upcoming panel discussion on Regietheater. We brought together heads of opera companies, singers, and arts journalists to discuss the flaws and merits of "director's theatre," and its role in the ongoing evolution of opera.
Chatting with Canada's Opera Biggies
Exciting news, everyone! Late next week, I'll be sitting down to chat with a panel of folks who certainly know their opera. The topic? Regietheater productions, the role of the opera director, and how their innovative (and often wacky) ideas can propel opera forward.
In review: Tap:Ex Tables Turned, or Go See This Show
Last night was the first of two performances of Tapestry's 2nd annual Tap:Ex (Tapestry Explorations/Experimentations), this time the program is Tables Turned, featuring the music of Montréal-based composer and turn table artist Nicole Lizée, with percussionist Ben Reimer and the spectacular soprano Carla Huhtanen.
Go See This: Carla Huhtanen and Nicole Lizée in Tap:Ex Tables Turned
Tapestry Opera continues its 35th anniversary season with Tap:Ex Tables Turned, running March 20 & 21 at the Ernest Balmer Studio in the Distillery District. Soprano Carla Huhtanen (right) teams up with Montréal-based composer and turntablist Nicole Lizée (left) to present “a boundary-breaking, multi-media concert.”
Michael Mori: On Contemporary Opera
Among the Artistic Directors of North America’s opera companies, it’s fair to say that Michael Mori has a unique vantage point on the industry of opera and its future. I ask him about what Tapestry does, and why historical works don’t always mean cultural relevance.
He said/she said: Songbook V
Marking the end of my weekend hat-trick of stuff to see, was Tapestry’s Songbook V. It’s the fifth year of Tapestry’s New Opera 101 Program, which gives singers and pianists a chance to work on contemporary opera with some of the best in the business; the rep is chosen from within Tapestry’s impressive library of commissions.
In review: Tapestry Briefs: Booster Shots
Tapestry Opera is currently enjoying its 35th anniversary season, and they seem to be celebrating by putting on fantastic theatre (and a bit of food and drink). I went to see Tapestry Briefs: Booster Shots on Sunday night, the last of three performances in the Distillery Historic District.
Schmoperanation!
So, I went to this year's Operanation and I had a blast. There were bright beehive wigs, Calvin Klein underwear models, the fab Keith Cole and his walking flash mob, and of course some awesome music by Yelle, DJ Phil & DJ Cozmic Cat, joined by the guests of honour, the COC Ensemble Studio. I wandered around with my camera clicking, and got a few great shots to share. Enjoy!
In Review: Tap:Ex Revolutions
I saw something beautiful on Friday night, and I'm not quite sure I can even tell you what it was. I can tell you that it was the inaugural presentation of Tapestry Explorations: Revolutions, and that it left an impression on me. The evening seemed to evolve on its own accord, beginning with understated and subtle entrances by performers Neema Bickersteth, Andrew Love, Andrea Ludwig and Adrian Kramer.
Go to this: Tapestry Songbook
In the evening of February 1st, I'll be working on the west end. I wish I could be in the Distillery District, however, to catch Tapestry Opera's presentation of their Tapestry Songbook Concert. Featuring Canadian mezzo Krisztina Szabó and pianist Dr. Chris Foley, the concert will be a showcase of operatic scenes and arias from Tapestry's impressive collection of new Canadian works.
