Media Releases

For Immediate Release November 8, 2012
Media Contact Jelena Bojic, Director of Community Relations
jelena.bojic@edmontonopera.com
780.392.7837

Canadian opera premieres this month

The complicated, scientific world of nuclear fission is given a human voice in Shelter, the first production in the Edmonton Opera’s ATB Canadian Series.

Opening on Nov. 15, this is the first time ever the contemporary opera has been performed, and it’s a joint effort between Edmonton Opera and Toronto’s Tapestry New Opera.

“The corporate leadership demonstrated by ATB Financial means that the Edmonton Opera and Tapestry New Opera are able to continue to give a strong voice to the arts through this initiative,” said Sandra Gajic, Edmonton Opera CEO. “Shelter and Svadba – Wedding will be presented in smaller, more intimate venues, allowing audiences to experience something new and intriguing.”

Thomas and Claire meet at a party and fall in love — in that awkward, love-at-first-sight way — get married and have a daughter, Hope. The child glows in the dark. As she grows up, she is tutored by the character Lise Meitner, a real-life scientist who worked on the discovery of fission. The Pilot enters the story when Hope turns 21, and he’s the one who alters the tale completely.

The ATB Canadian Series is intended to build new audiences by offering exciting new productions, contributing to the arts and cultural scene in the city. This is also the first time that the Edmonton Opera has partnered with ATB Financial to present operas like this.

“Opera, operable, operation, they’re all words that suggest something is at work, something is on the go,” said Dave Mowat, president and CEO of ATB Financial. “We think you’ll come away from these performances appreciating the experience of Canadian-produced opera. It’s contemporary. It’s from our storytellers. It’s for us. It’s good work.”

Please note the media call will only be on Nov. 14. For media passes, please contact Jelena Bojic, director of community relations, at jelena.bojic@edmontonopera.com or 780-392-7837.

Shelter: Nov. 15, 16, 17 and 18 at La Cité Francophone
Movie screening: Village of Widows, Nov. 13, 7 p.m., Citadel Theatre’s Zeidler Hall, free admission Panel discussion: Nov. 14 at 6 p.m., La Cité Francophone
Atomicalia: exhibition of items and pop culture created during the Cold War, Nov. 14-19, La Cité