Tapestry Opera

When I first heard about Tapestry Opera's Tap:EX Tables Turned, I wasn't very optimistic. A show that proudly touts in its headline “opera singer meets DJ” and that it will define the future of opera sounds more like an embarrassing “let’s make opera hip for the kids” shtick—like the time Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine wanked on guitar alongside the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. However, after sitting in an art studio while watching a kimono clad opera singer do beta blockers and sing over remixed versions of classic films, I realized I had probably spoke too soon.

During the first of two acts, featured soprano Carla Huhtanen sat awkwardly on stage while singing and mimicking actors from the The Sound of Music and Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, like a lonely fangirl in her bedroom. Meanwhile, Montreal-based composer, Nicole Lizée was behind the boards taking well-known scenes from each film and chopping them up into new but oddly recognizable pieces. For instance, she did a five minute loop of Maria von Trapp tuning her guitar and singing “let’s start at the very beginning,” which made for a very creepy version of the Sound of Music classic “Do-Re-Mi”. Or when she turned Tippi Hedren’s upbeat piano performance in The Birds into a slow trip-hop dirge that would make even Geoff Barrow proud. As the show reached its climax, Huhtanen obsessively watched scenes of opera diva, Maria Callas, at one point taking pills in reference to Callas’ famous beta blockers, which the late singer took to calm herself from anxiety attacks before shows. It was a vivid if uncomfortably honest portrayal of an artist overcoming their fears and chasing the longtail of fame. The show would end with Huhtanen confidently standing up and assuming the role of the diva with her voice washing over the room. Fitting, as the night was all about reimagining pop culture icons while creating huge and unique spectacles, something of which, opera, since its very inception, has always strived to do. And that’’s what makes Tapestry Opera and Tap:EX Tables Turned great, because they give a glimpse as to what opera can offer us in our multimedia savvy world, and what we’re missing out when we ignored it. Impressed by the showing, I followed up with Tapestry Opera’s creative director, Michael Mori, to find out more.


Photo By Dahlia Katz

Noisey: Given how much opera has changed over the centuries, do you see yourself as radically breaking traditions or returning to old ones?
Michael Mori: We are radically breaking from the 20th century tradition of “the opera experience” by rejecting conventions upheld for almost a hundred years. In the very first operas, as in Tap:Ex Tables Turned, artists of various disciplines came together in the name of drama and music. Works drew upon familiar subjects and themes. With its growth in popularity, more politically relevant ideas were brought to the forefront and opera was used as an instrument of social commentary and even revolution. We're bringing that intention and relevance back.

Is there anything you think is lost or lacking in mainstream opera culture that TAP:EX reclaims?
Definitely, it reclaims an acknowledgment of the time and culture we live in. At one time, all educated people were familiar with classic cultural references: Greek mythology, classical English, German, and French poets and playwrights, and so on. That generation is now a minority and Canada and the US no longer identify as an extension of Europe. Instead, we are an independent multicultural society that is far more connected to classic films than classic literature and mythology. It is only logical to use this rich source of contemporary nostalgia as something that belongs to our generation in the same way that classical references belonged to previous generations. - Noisey Music by Vice

Article is a pdf--please go to url to read - Opera Canada

Article is a pdf--please see url - Toronto Star

Article is a pdf--url is above - National Post

Article is a pdf--see url above. - schmopera

If you thought boundary-pushing punk rock and the ancient art of opera were mutually exclusive, think again. Members of Fucked Up have teamed with director Michael Hidetoshi Mori for a new production called Metallurgy that will allow audiences to watch the two worlds collide this fall in Toronto.

The performances will be come to life as part of Tapestry Opera's Tap:Ex series, and feature music from Fucked Up's Mike Haliechuk, Jonah Falco and Josh Zucker. Their compositions will be given an operatic twist thanks to vocals from mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabó and tenor David Pomeroy.

The show's roster also includes guest composer Ivan Barbotin and guest librettist David James Brock.

According to a press release, Metallurgy aims to encapsulate Tap:Ex's commitment to "experimentation and innovation," exploring "modes through which opera might assume a twenty-first century rebirth."

The production's four-show run begins on November 19 and will wrap up with a day of double performances on November 21 at the Ernest Balmer Studio. If you're interested in jumping on board for the sonic adventure, full details can be found through Tapestry Opera here. - Exclaim

Toronto band F--ked Up has been pushing the boundaries of punk music for over a decade and now they’re testing their skills in the realm of opera. The band will be working with Tapestry Opera’s Tap:Ex series and director Michael Hidetoshi for a new production called Metallurgy which will premiere this fall in Toronto.

F--ked Up’s Mike Haliechuk, Jonah Falco and Josh Zucker will provide the music for Metallurgy while mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabó and tenor David Pomeroy will take the reins on vocals. The show is rounded out by guest composer Ivan Barbotin and librettist David James Brock.

In a press release, Tapestry explains that Metallurgy “explores modes through which opera might assume a 21st century rebirth.”

Metallurgy kicks off a limited four-show run on Nov. 19 at Toronto’s Ernest Balmer Studio and will wrap up with two performances on Nov. 21.

For more information about Metallurgy and Tapestry Opera, head over to their website.

article url: http://music.cbc.ca/#!/blogs/2015/10/F--ked-Up-and-Tapestry-Opera-team-up-for-Metallurgy-performances - CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Company)

Toronto's Tapestry Opera isn't your typical opera company. While it showcases some of Canada's top musical and theatrical talent, it also offers a rather different experience than what you'd find within the confines of the Four Seasons Centre. And, it's collaborating with members of Toronto's F*cked Up to kick off its 36th season.
Tapestry Opera describes its Tap:Ex Metallurgy as a combination of opera and punk music. It's the third show in its Tap:Ex series, a series that aims to explore the future of the operatic art form. Previously, it brought turntable artist and DJ Nicole Lizée on stage with acclaimed soprano Carla Huhtanen.

F*cked Up members Jonah Falco, Mike Haliechuk and Josh Zucker created Tap:Ex Metallurgy with Michael Hidetoshi Mori, who's also the director. To round out the creative team, Ivan Barbotin was the guest composer and David James Brock the librettist. Jordan de Souza, Tapestry's resident conductor, will play piano (or keys).

Mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabó, who's currently playing Thisbe in the Canadian Opera Company's (COC) world premiere of Pyramus and Thisbe, will perform it alongside Canadian tenor David Pomeroy.

Now, this isn't F*cked Up's first foray into opera. The Polaris Prize-winning band contributed a 17 minute Italian art song for the Broadsheet Music: A Year in Review compilation project by Arts & Crafts, the Globe and Mail and the COC.

Tap:Ex Metallurgy runs from November 19 to November 21 and tickets are on sale now. - blogto