(I have been writing, just not for this blog. While those draft posts percolate some more, here’s something I’ve written recently.)
The Toy Piano Composers’ “Opera Scenesters” was a refreshing take on the magical combination of music, voice, props and human drama that can only be found in the operatic form. Over the course of the evening, six operatic miniatures composed by Elisha Denburg, Chirstiain Floisand, Monica Pearce, Glenn James, Fiona Ryan and Chris Thornborrow were performed by Maureen Batt (Soprano), Marta Herman (Soprano) and Jeremy Ludwig (Baritone), accompanied by Wesley Shen on the piano. Erik Thor’s stage direction and props completed the illusion of turning the Heliconian Hall into an opera house. The result was an engaging program that would delight those new to opera and those that “loved opera before it was hip to love opera”.
Co-founded in 2008 by Monica Pearce (also know as Monica Clorey until recently) and Chris Thornborrow, the group gives new composers a whimsical and dynamic space in which to present their work. In particular, Pearce looks up to the way groups such as Tapestry New Opera, Sound Streams, and Sneak Peek Orchestra have taken a more imaginative approach to programming and concert presentations.
“Chris and I had been to a lot of new music concerts, not only now but also while we were studying at the University of Toronto. We both felt that the way new music was being presented could be changed in a way to be more interesting and engaging.”
