The only Canadian opera about black slavery in Nova Scotia, Canada in the early 1800s. The librettist, George Elliott Clarke, wrote a searing drama adapting the 16th century Italian tragedy of the Cenci family to bring to life the untold stories of African-Acadians and their slavery in Canada. The text was captured beautifully in music by the Toronto composer James Rolfe. The opera has toured to Dartmouth and Edmonton, and a CBC TV film of the Queen of Puddings production has been broadcast nationally on CBC’s arts program “Opening Night.”
Music – JAMES ROLFE
Libretto – GEORGE ELLIOTT CLARKE
Conductor - DÁIRINE NÍ MHEADHRA
Director – MICHAEL CAVANAGH
Designer – CAROLYN M. SMITH
Lighting – PAUL MATHIESEN
Forces – 6 SINGERS, 7 INSTRUMENTALISTS
“The Queen of Puddings Music Theatre Company has astonished and thrilled the Toronto opera-going public. I can’t recall attending such a gripping premiere in many years of opera-going.”
- Opera UK
“Make no mistake: Beatrice Chancy is the triumphant event of the operatic season. I felt I was face to face with the future of opera – and its breath was hot.”
- The Globe and Mail
“Monumental. Mesmerizing. Breathtaking.”
- The Sunday Daily News, Halifax
“Best of the City ‘99”
- Toronto Life
PHOTOS:
GUNTAR KRAVIS
