Calgary Opera Presents World Premiere of Opera for Young Audiences

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Calgary Opera Presents World Premiere of Opera for Young Audiences
9th May, 2008

Calgary, AB – Calgary Opera’s most recent new work, Hannaraptor, by composer Allan Gilli land and playwright Val Brandt, makes its world premiere on Saturday, April 5 at 2:30pm at Bert Church High School in Air dire.

Performed by Calgary Opera’s Emerging Artists, Hannaraptor is set against the backdrop of the Alberta Badlands and tells the story of a girl, Hanna, whose determination to protect a beloved dinosaur skeleton propels her into a life-and-death struggle against rapacious greed.

“Hannaraptor is an imaginative new work, which will stir the imagination of our younger audiences,” says Bob McPhee, General Director & CEO of Calgary Opera. “By presenting opera to youth in a way that they can relate to, we hope to instill a curiosity about opera. After all, opera is for everyone.”

Hannaraptor will be toured around Alberta throughout the month of April, hitting various venues in Calgary, Airdrie, Medicine Hat, Sunder, and – fittingly – Drum heller. The 45-minute opera performed in English is the fourth new work to be commissioned by Calgary Opera.

“Hannaraptor follows a long tradition of quality new work created by Calgary Opera, and it is a demonstration of our continued dedication to bringing new Canadian opera, and our own Canadian stories, to life on stage,” says McPhee.

Hannaraptor was created by composer Allan Gilli land, whose music has been performed across North America, with such companies as the New York Philharmonic, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the New York Pops, and Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, while the libretto was written by playwright Val Brandt. Together Gilli land and Brandt have created a timely story, which weaves together compelling issues of social responsibility and a family’s personal triumph, to an accessible and melodic musical score designed to capture the imagination of an audience raised on TV, video games and action movies. Joining the impressive cast is Vertigo Theater Mark Bellamy as Stage Director, emerging designer Christopher Rouleau as Set and Costume Designer, and pianist Mel Kirby, Emerging Artist Development Program Coordinator.

Hannaraptor will be publicly presented in Calgary as part of the Y Stage Series at Vertigo Theater on the following dates: May 2 at 7pm; May 3 at 2pm and 7pm; and May 4 at 12:30pm and 3:30pm. Tickets to the Y Stage presentation are $10 for youth/seniors, and $15 for adults. For information, or to purchase tickets, phone 221-3708 or visit www.vertigotheatre.com.

This world premiere was commissioned by the S.A. Opera Development Foundation. Production sponsor is Industrial Alliance Pacific; School Tour supported by TELUS Calgary Community Board and Alberta Lotteries; Calgary Opera Community Outreach sponsored by EnCana; and Emerging Artists sponsored by Enbridge.

Release link: http://www.calgaryopera.com/media/news/2008/03-18-08.php