Lögberg Helmskrigla, The Icelandic Community Newspaper
Vinland Traveller to tour NL
-David Jón Fuller
Opera Visits Newfoundland
There is a new sound being heard in the outports of Newfoundland. Mingling with the traditional music of the Island is the music of Mozart. The company, called The Opera RoadShow, is an ensemble of music students from Memorial University of Newfoundland.
The Opera RoadShow is an educational outreach component of Memorial University's Opera Theatre. For the past two years, the voice majors have spent a week each fall traveling to schools in and around the city of St. John's. During that time, they have had had the privilege of introducing hundreds of young people to the joys of opera in live performance. This year, The Opera RoadShow has expanded its directive and is making opera extensively available to students across Newfoundland. The five-week tour traverses some 6500kms and performs from St. Anthony in the northwest to Burin on the province's southeastern shore.
In addition to the educational benefits young audiences receive, this innovative outreach is unique in providing experiential learning to students of university age. It offers a valuable learning experience to MUN undergraduates while providing a paid summer position.
The Opera RoadShow's repertoire choices are age appropriate. The current touring production is a contemporary setting of The Three Little Pigs. This engaging work was created by American composer John Davies. It draws together arias and ensembles from Mozart's most popular operas and blends them into a comical telling of the familiar fable. Teaching guides are forwarded to schools prior to the presentations.
Beginning with an informal discussion about music, opera, and different styles of singing, performances conclude with an extended question and answer period. The audience/artist post-performance interaction had proved to be a thrilling and heart-warming experience for the members of The Opera RoadShow troupe.
The Opera RoadShow Tour is a collaborative effort between The Department of Education, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador; Memorial University; and the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council. Pending continuing funding, The Opera RoadShow begins rehearsals for spring 2005 this September. Performance dates for this year's tour are May 3, 2004-June 4, 2004.
Composer/Librettist Notes of World Premiere, May 6, 2006
-Dean Burry
Vinland Press Release
May 5, 2006
Dr. Caroline Schiller, director of opera at the School of Music, created the Opera RoadShow to give music students a professional touring experience, while introducing youngsters to the pageantry, drama and music of opera. The touring company consists of seven students and alumnus Calvin Powell, who returns from Toronto to lend his baritone to the production.
This is the third year for the tour, but the first time the operatic entourage has been able to fly performers and sets in and out of Labrador communities, thanks to a commitment from Air Labrador to cover the cost of those flights - a gift of about $50,000.
"It amazes adults that 200 children would be interested in sitting and listening to opera, but the kids really become engaged," Dr. Schiller says, noting that in years past, cards, emails and drawings have attested to how much the kids enjoyed the show.
The Air Labrador Opera RoadShow Tour 2006 will perform The Vinland Traveler, created by Dean Burry. Burry was raised in Gander and now lives in Toronto. "People often ask me how I became an opera composer coming from Newfoundland. While it's true I couldn't exactly pop down to the Gander Grand Opera House on a Friday night, there was always access to a great deal of theatre and music," Mr. Burry says. "Story-telling through music and drama? I think that's the core of the Newfoundland spirit."
The Air Labrador Opera RoadShow Tour takes off with an invitation-only launch in Petro-Canada Hall on May 6. Some public performances will be scheduled in St. John's in May.
Opera Roadshow Takes to the Air
When School of Music students take opera on the road this spring, they'll also take to the air, thanks to a generous donation from Air Labrador. The Air Labrador Opera RoadShow Tour 2006 is a unique venture that sees a company of undergraduate music students perform throughout the province for primary and elementary school audiences. Dr. Carolyn Schiller, the director of opera in the School of Music, came up with the concept as a way for her students to experience professional touring, while introducing youngsters all over the province to the pageantry, drama and music of opera.
The touring company consists of seven students and alumnus Calvin Powell, who agreed to return from his Toronto life because a baritone was needed. These eight are responsible for all aspects of the tour, from performing to props.
This is the third year for the tour, but the first time the operatic entourage has been able to venture off-island. That means, in addition to the thousands of kilometres they'll log on the road, performers and sets will need to fly in and out of Labrador communities. Air Labrador has committed to covering the cost of all flights - a gift of about $50,000. "Our goal was, within three years, to be able to say that we've offered this everywhere in the province - and now we can say that," Dr. Schiller says.
While not every school has been able to accommodate the opera, the RoadShow has performed for over 10,000 children, some in very remote areas.
"It amazes adults sometimes that 200 children would be interested in sitting and listening to opera, but the kids really get engaged," Dr. Schiller says, noting that in years past, cards, emails and drawings have attested to how much the kids enjoyed the show. "If you introduce something like this to a child at an early age, they can develop a lifelong appreciation. And who knows, it may tweak an interest in a child who has the talent to pursue it, but might never have been exposed to it."
This year, the RoadShow will perform The Vinland Traveler, created by Gander-native Dean Burry. Memorial commissioned the original opera, based on the Vinland sagas, so that it could also offer young audiences some insight into the province's history and heritage. According to Jennifer O'Neill, development officer for the School of Music, Air Labrador's gift is in addition to support from Iron Ore Company of Canada, the provincial government, CBC and the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council.