Essential Opera and Leaf Music Present Etiquette (Halifax/Kjipuktuk, NS) Composer Monica Pearce’s one-act opera Etiquette is being released by Leaf Music and Essential Opera. Etiquette: A Glimpse of 1920s Icons presents a unique musical portrayal of three influential women from the 1920s: author, critic, and satirist Dorothy Parker (known for her wit and wisecracks), author and…
Hi folks, I often get asked about choosing and finding repertoire that’s outside of the Western European classical canon, and/or that’s by contemporary composers. Throughout music school I had a special interest in programming contemporary works (including some commissions even early on), but it wasn’t until I was finished my master’s that I could…
It’s the 35th ECMAs!!! Grej is nominated for Classical Composer of the Year for Lighthouse again this year and we’re pumped! On Saturday, May 6, at the Halifax Public Library an excerpts of our Lighthouse: Live at the Playhouse concert film will be shown. The classical showcase is produced by the Canadian Music…
Concert Film of “Lighthouse: Live at the Playhouse” Grej ⎮ Maureen Batt ⎮ Michael Doherty ⎮ Tania Breen Watch the virtual screening of the première performance of Lighthouse. Join us after the concert film for a live YouTube chat with the artists, hosted by Maria Murphy. Tickets for the…
CALL FOR WORKS (Duets) – Deadline for submission: Dec. 15, 2022 (and ongoing) There is no age, gender, or nationality restriction on this call. Shorter works are sometimes preferred. The genre of music is open to Western classical art song, crossover pop, musical theatre, cabaret, electronics, opera, and other genres about which I might…
Crossing Borders: Vertical Labyrinth World première Maureen Batt, soprano The Halifax Camerata Singers Jeff Joudrey, Artistic Director Composed by Amy Brandon Poetry by Nela Rio Poetry translation by Hugh Hazelton and Sophie M. Lavoie Tickets are pay-what-you-want and can be accessed via Side Door. Vertical Labyrinth Program This piece was originally programmed on…
We are FLOORED to announce that we won ECMA Classical Recording of the Year. Lighthouse is such a special album to us and we’re so grateful to the ECMAs for this honour and recognition. Listen to Lighthouse here: Lighthouse album [ngg src=”galleries” ids=”8″ display=”basic_thumbnail” override_thumbnail_settings=”1″ thumbnail_crop=”0″]
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”6″ display=”basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=”0″] Crossing Borders: Shifting the Lens Wednesday, December 8, 2021, 8pm AT/ 7pm ET (48-hour replay available, purchase tickets and watch anytime until Friday @ 8pmAT) ~~~~PROGRAM, TEXTS, TRANSLATIONS HERE~~~~ Crossing Borders Shifting the Lens Program Dec 8, 2021 Fabián Arciniegas, tenor Claire Harris, piano Maureen Batt, soprano Tara…
2020 has been a year where most of us have had to stay close to home. For me this has turned into a blessing and has meant I’ve been immersed in Canadian music. What a serious treat. AND?! I’ve been making music (recordings and films) with people I love. Of course there have been a…
Essential Opera is TEN YEARS OLD. Yes, you read that correctly. Erin Bardua and I have been producing opera for a decade. To celebrate, this weekend we are putting the finishing touches on our latest production, a mini-opera by Anna Pidgorna based on the story of Snow White. And we’d love for you to be online…