East Van Opera Emerges with the Premiere of ALMA in an Operatic Revolution

By: May. 30, 2017
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A unique opera company dedicated to local and emerging artists is launching the world premiere of the feminist opera. On June 22-25, 2017, East Van Opera will present Alma: The Story of the Girl Who Glowed at Vancouver's historic Metro Theatre.

The production features a diverse, multi-award-winning cast from across the Lower Mainland, and will combine opera, ballet and burlesque into a groundbreaking new work that chronicles a modern fable about a heroine with special powers. This is a feminist, fairytale opera that tells the story about a young woman who is abducted and must rely on her own resources to both survive and to forgive.

East Van Opera is the brainchild of local artist and pioneer Allison Cociani, who is the composer of Alma as well as an award-winning operatic soprano. "In founding East Van Opera, I have combined my parallel passions for composition and performance by creating a platform that will allow aspiring artists to step out of their comfort zones and bring new music to life," says Cociani. "I am honored to be able to elevate women in the arts and to inspire the distinct and artistic voices of our community to become brave, creative forces in the world of music."

Allison's vision is actualized in Alma, which combines the artistry of singers, dancers and instrumentalists to tell her heroine's story. Music director Ian Dives says that the brilliant cast is one of the opera's greatest strengths. "What impressed me first about Alma was the music," recalls Dives, who has previously conducted everything from baroque opera to modern choral works. "Like nothing I'd ever heard before, it is completely contemporary but also melodic and evocative, like a new Mozart. Then I fell in love with the opera's timeless story, which is about a young woman who must use her wits and inner resources to save herself. When we cast the opera and were able to see the artists breathe life into what Allison had written - to me, that's when I truly realized how magical this work is, and how exciting it is to bring audiences something completely original."

Alma is directed and choreographed by up-and-coming director Anna Shill, and features Cociani as Alma; mezzo-soprano Martina Govednik as Griselda; soprano Julie Duerichen as Kelsh; soprano Katrina Goh as Tesh; and baritone Cameron Killick as Vidar. Featured dancers include Charlotte Telfer-Wan, Rachel Helten, Amanda Helen Collige, and Desiree Sunshine and GillIan Hogg. The opera will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra under the baton of Ian Dives.

Tickets are $37.50 +gst in advance or $42.50 +gst at the door and available at the box office 604-266-7191 or tickets.metrotheatre.com.

Watch a preview and listen to the Overture below!

East Van Opera is a progressive company dedicated exclusively to the creation and production of new operatic works. The company's mission includes elevating women in the arts while creating a platform for the artistic development of local and emerging performers. Learn more at eastvanopera.com.



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