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10~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Up and on with Op-Anon may '97 wholenote BY RICHARD PAUL Would you rather muse over Menotti .than muddle through Massenet? How do you feel about basking in Britten rather than being bored by Bizet? If your tastes lean to this direction, then Opera Anonymous has plans for your ears. Op-Anon (as it's known in the biz) was formed in 1994 to focus on alternative stagings of twentieth century opera. The co-founders Nina Scott-Stoddart and Diane Dacamara were looking for more opportunities to perform. According to Scott-Stoddart, "we wanted to do full productions of twentieth century opera in English and there were just not a lot of opportunities for performance. We wanted to focus on the neglected works." It would seem that starting a company dedicated to producing these "neglected works" in these times of shrinking grants and audiences is a guaranteed recipe for red ink. But the success of Op-Anon owes as much to realism as it does to {dealism. From its humble beginnings, the company has made it a policy not to rely on government funding for its survival, as this has been the downfall of many of our not-for-profits. For their inaugural production, they ,chose Toronto's mecca of the post-mo
MUSICTHEATRE: WHAT'S ON Details: see listings under first date mentioned •Alexander Singers. Gilbert & Sullivan: Ruddigore. Preview May 1; May 3, 4, 7, 8 & 10, Leah Posluns Theatre, 784-4185. •Artword Theatre. The Age of Dorian. Greg Morrison's musical the.atre adaptation of Wilde's "Dorian Gray" May 5-17 408-1146. •Canadian Children's Opera Chorus. Gilbert & Sullivan: H. M.S. Pinafore. May 3, 4, Hart House Theatre, 978-8668. eeoc. Humperdinck: Hansel and Gretel. COC Ensemble Studio. May 23, Sanderson Centre, Brentford. 363-6671 ext.387. •Characters Theatre Troupe. Anything Goes. May 1, 3, 6 , 8, 1 0; June 7, 9, 12 & 13. Fairview Library Theatre, 905-886-9594. •Characters Theatre Troupe. Wizard of Oz. May 21, 22, 24, 27, 28, 31: June 1. Fairview Library Theatre, 905-886-9594. CONTINUES PAGE 12 11 Greg Morrison, at Artword piano, rehearses Todd Stewart, Steven Morel, and Robert Miller ARTWORD IN 'DORIAN MODE Artword Theatre's cofounders Ronald Weihs and Judith Sandiford have dedicated their little space to "nurturing and supporting creativity in our midst." Wisely they have avoided the pitfalls of relying on government funding (precarious for all but the seven-digit budget behemoths!), opting instead for "cheap and cheerful, do- PINAFORE WITH A BIT OF A WRINKLE Is there anyone out there who wasn't pressganged into a school · production of G&S at some point? If so, chances are you have a consequent lifelong addiction or aversion. Well here's memory's moment to exorcise or exercise! the Canadian Children's Opera Chorus Pinafore at Hart House, May 3 & 4). You don't have to worry that the captain's beard may be real--and you get topflight singing from one of the best children's vocal ensembles around. it-yourself'' second floor commercial space on Portland Street, just south of King. The spring chicken about to hatch in their fine little incubator is an opera (why not!). It's called "The Age of Dorian"--a musical adaptation of Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray" with music by Greg Morrison and lyrics and book by Ron and Judith. SALZBURG OPERA FESTIVAL THE BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE Aug. 20 to Aug. 28, 1997 Join CATHERINE BELYEA of CLASSICAL 96 FM ON OUR WONDERFUL OPERA TOUR! WOZZECK, DIE ZAUBERFLOETE, BORIS GODUNOV, · PELLEAS & MELISANDE. LOVELY ACCOMMODATION AND SIGHTSEEING. ,849 (Cdn.), on share basis Call Walter Verzuu at: CROSSROADS TRAVEL 99 Crown's Lane Toronto, MSR 3P4 Phone: 416-920-4800 Fax: 416-920-4684
