May 31, 8:00 PM
Lucile | Memories Beyond the Grave| Open Ears/NUMUS
Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts
36 King Street West Kitchener, ON N2G 1A3
Tickets HERE
Memories Beyond The Grave, composed by Michael Donovan, follows the close sibling relationship between Francois René de Chateaubriand (1768-1848) and Lucile de Chateaubriand (1764-1804), a bond strengthened through their love of nature during childhood and adolescence. Numerous poems and letters by Lucile and René are woven into excerpts from François René’s world-famous autobiography Mémoires d’outre tombe. Sung and spoken in both French and English, Donovan’s fusion of contemporary and lush Romantic textures transports us into the magical and tumultuous world of these two siblings, masterfully staged and performed by a stellar ensemble of singers, instrumentalists and creative team.
Singers:
Doug MacNaughton (Baritone) as François René de Chateaubriand
Maureen Batt (Soprano) as Lucile and The Moon
Chamber Ensemble:
Cindy Thong Piano/Harpsichord
Sibylle Marquardt Flute
Norman Adams Cello
Tim Crofts Synthesizers, Electronic instruments
Chorus of Stars:
Gabriella Bell-Divincenzo
Sarah Helen Storms
Sarah Hu-A-Kam
Nicole Hamilton
Creative Team
Stage director: David Overton
Movement director: Veronique MacKenzie
Projection and lighting design: Mackenzie Cornfield
Music director: Michael Donovan
Composer: Michael Donovan
More info: https://openears.ca/event/memories-beyond-the-grave/
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May 10, 3:00 PM
ECMA Classical Showcase| Essential Opera
CMC, ECMA and Debut Atlantic present
2025 ECMA Classical Showcase
Saturday, May 10, 2025 3:00 p.m.
D.F. Cook Recital Hall, Memorial University
Doors open 2:30 p.m.
Free event
Please join the Canadian Music Centre, ECMAs and Debut Atlantic for this year’s Classical Showcase, with performances by Ben Diamond (guitar), Essential Opera, India Gailey (cello), Jennifer King (piano) and Blackwood (Jeff Reilly, bass clarinet and India Gailey (cello).
Shuttle service is available from the Delta Hotel to the showcase, at which the two classical awards will be announced.
For more information, please visit ecma.com
https://www.ecma.com/ecma-2025/2025-ecma-schedule/
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March 8-10
Caroline | Caroline’s Sweeper | Crossing Borders
Workshop of a new chamber opera by Michael Donovan with libretto by Monica Pearce about the astronomer Caroline Herschel.
Geordie Haley (guitar), Richard Belding (bass), me (Caroline Herschel), Tara Scott (pianist and music director), Megan Chandler (double bass), Jodie Alcorn-Miller (conductor), Erin Bardua (director), and Michael Donovan (composer)
Premiere upcoming in January 2026 in Halifax NS
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February 15-16
Associate Music Director | Freddy the Last Fish | Not Half Bad Productions
Grimross Brewing
Fredericton, NB
A brand new show written by Tom Belding and adapted for the stage and directed by Nancy Lynch.
Cast: Keith Ruttan, Marianne Glover, Andrew Giffin, Danielle D’Entremont, Penny Pacey, Mitchell Goodine, Paul Roy, Gary Belding, Crystal LeBlanc, Jim Doyle, Paula Tozer, Mike Gange and Tyler Hanley in action! They have a fish story to tell you and don’t be surprised if you find yourself humming or even tapping your toes to the original music by Marianne Glover, Trevor Hanson, and Rob Currie. Music direction by Paul MacIntosh. Associate music director, Maureen Batt.
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January 2025
Guest Lecturer| Artist as Entrepreneurship | Dalhousie University
Artist as Entrepreneurship class at Dalhousie University, Dr. Nicole Jordan, instructor (Halifax)
