January 11, 7:30 PM
Caroline | Caroline’s Sweeper | Open Waters Festival
Joseph Strug Concert Hall
Fountain School of Performing Arts
1385 Seymour St, Halifax, NS B3H 3M6
Tickets HERE
Caroline’s Sweeper follows Caroline Herschel, 16th century comet huntress, as she discovers eight comets. Largely overshadowed by the success of her astronomer brother William Herschel, she was the first woman to receive a salary as a scientist and was awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society. In this chamber opera, Caroline Herschel’s life and work is unfolded through a series of vignettes exploring her astronomical discoveries.
Composed by Michael Donovan with libretto by Monica Pearce, Caroline’s Sweeper was commissioned by Maureen Batt with support from the Canada Council for the Arts.
Maureen Batt, soprano, as Caroline Herschel
Chamber Ensemble:
Music director and pianist: Tara Scott
Conductor: Jodie Alcorn-Miller
Electric guitar: Geordie Haley
Electric bass: Richard Belding
Double bass: Megan Chandler
Creative Team
Composer: Michael Donovan
Librettist: Monica Pearce
Stage director: Erin Bardua
Projection and lighting consultant: Matt Downey
Costume designer: Diego Cavedon
Festival info and tickets: https://upstreammusic.org/event/carolines-sweeper
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December 7, 2025 – 2:00 PM
Recital | Sensory-Accessible Concerts| Cecilia Concerts
Halifax Public Library
5440 Spring Garden Rd.
Halifax, NS
Maureen Batt, soprano
Jennifer King, piano
Richard Belding, double bass
Tickets free, register here: https://www.ceciliaconcerts.ca/concert/maureen-batt/
The December Sensory-Accessible Concerts program wraps up the year with a bow of sparkle and warmth, featuring soprano Maureen Batt, double bassist Richard Belding, and series host and pianist Jennifer King. Blending classical richness, theatrical flair, and a touch of holiday magic, this program offers humour, holly, and heart in an inviting, sensory-friendly atmosphere.
Praised for her “rich, warm sound and masterful acting” (Opera Canada), Maureen Batt brings both opera and storytelling charm to the stage. Together with Richard Belding and Jennifer King, she creates a space of dazzle, comfort, and connection that is perfect for the season. Co-presented with the Halifax Central Library, this free concert offers a safe and welcoming environment for everyone to enjoy live music in a relaxed setting.
More info: https://www.ceciliaconcerts.ca/concert/maureen-batt/
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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)
