Opera

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  Beowulf

  • A musical epic
   
  • 1974
   
  • 120'

  Lyrics by Betty Jane Wylie based on the Anglo Saxon poem. A full length rock opera in two acts for 9 soloists, narration group of 4, chorus and orchestra Originally done as a three LP set, now 2 CDs – Beowulf Produced in New York off Broadway by AMAS repertory Theater 1977. For more information... Read More...

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    Beowulf CD front

    
    

    

    BEOWULF Howard Hicks (Unferth), Frank Adamson (Grendel), Victor Davies (composer -producer), and Chad Allan (Beowulf). Grendel and Beowulf struggle in a fight to the death! Winnipeg April 1975.

    
    

    

    BEOWULF Howard Hicks (Unferth) chides Chad Allan (Beowulf) for swimming with sea monsters holding his nose. Winnipeg April 1975

    
    

    

    BEOWULF Frank Adamson (Grendel) and Victor discuss interpretive points. Winnipeg April 1975

    
    
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  Earnest, The Importance Of Being

   
  • 2008
   
  • 120'

  A full length operetta in two acts based on the play The Importance Of Being Ernest by Oscar Wilde. Libretto: Eugene Benson. Premiere: Toronto Operetta Theatre, February 22, 23, 24, 2008. Jeffrey Huard, conductor. Guillermo Silva-Marin, director and producer. CAST LADY BRACKNELL. (Low Mezzo) A most formidable lady, and in her early fifties. GWENDOLEN. (High... Read More...

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    Earnest, The Importance of Being Toronto Operetta Theatre, February 2008, Laird Mackintosh (Algernon), Robert Longo (Jack), Sean Curran (Lane) You Cannot Change Your Name. Photo-Gilberto Prioste

    
    

    

    Earnest, The Importance of Being Toronto Operetta Theatre, February 2008, Barbara Barsky (Lady Bracknell) Photo-Gilberto Prioste

    
    

    

    Earnest, The Importance of Being Toronto Operetta Theatre, February 2008, Robert Longo (Jack), Mia-Lennox Williams (Gwendolen) Photo-Gilberto Prioste

    
    

    

    Earnest, The Importance of Being Toronto Operetta Theatre, February 2008, Laird Mackintosh (Algernon), Robert Longo (Jack), Sean Curran (Lane) Barbary Barsky (Lady Bracknell) Mia-Lennox Williams (Gwendolen), We Are The Aristocracy. Photo-Gilberto Prioste

    
    

    

    Laird Mackintosh (Algernon) and Deanna Hendricks (Cecily) in the Toronto Operetta Theatre world premiere of Earnest, The Importance Of Being February 2008 (It’s Really Not A Bad Name) Photo-Gilberto Prioste

    
    

    

    Laird Mackintosh (Algernon) and Deanna Hendricks (Cecily) in the Toronto Operetta Theatre world premiere of Earnest, The Importance Of Being February 2008 (It’s Really Not A Bad Name) Photo-Gilberto Prioste

    
    

    

    Earnest, The Importance of Being Toronto Operetta Theatre, February 2008, Deanna Hendricks (Cecily), Michael York (Reverend Chasuble), Heather Shaw (Miss Prism) In Seminaries We Are Taught. Photo-Gilberto Prioste

    
    

    

    Laird Mackintosh (Algernon) and Deanna Hendricks (Cecily) in the Toronto Operetta Theatre world premiere of Earnest, The Importance Of Being February 2008, In Dreams You Come To Me At Night Photo-Gilberto Prioste

    
    

    

    Earnest, The Importance of Being Toronto Operetta Theatre, February 2008, Michael York (Reverend Chasuble), Robert Longo (Jack) Sprinkling Or Immersion Photo-Gilberto Prioste

    
    

    

    Earnest, The Importance of Being Toronto Operetta Theatre, February 2008, Deanna Hendricks (Cecily) Laird Mackintosh (Algernon), Robert Longo (Jack), Mia-Lennox Williams (Gwendolen) Photo-Gilberto Prioste

    
    

    

    Earnest, The Importance of Being Toronto Operetta Theatre, February 2008, Mia-Lennox Williams (Gwendolen), Deanna Hendricks (Cecily). Photo-Gilberto Prioste

    
    

    

    Earnest, The Importance of Being Toronto Operetta Theatre, February 2008, Barbary Barsky (Lady Bracknell), Sean Curran (Lane), Heather Shaw (Miss Prism) Robert Longo (Jack), I’ve Seen That Name Before. Photo-Gilberto Prioste

    
    

• Let Us Pay Tribute To Lord Gordon

  • Vocal solos from opera

  A full length opera in two acts with libretto by Goldie Weatherhead. Based on a historical character, a con man Lord Gordon Gordon, with a colourful and brilliant career in Scotland and New York who ends up in Winnipeg during the land boom of the 1880’s. A tale of romance and intrigue, humour and pathos,... Read More...

• The Musical Circus

   
  • 1981
   
  • 14'

  A musical theatre entertainment for soprano, dancers, musician/actors as animals: violin (snake); viola (monkey); cello (elephant); guitar (peacock); horn (lion); percussion (bear); accordion (zebra); and harp. The musicians/animals stage a revolt against the ringmaster (conductor) (the soprano) but are charmed into submission by the mechanical harp. Difficulty: university, professional. Commissioned by Sound Stage Canada for... Read More...

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  The Importance Of Being Earnest

   
  • 2005
   
  • 120'

  A full length comic chamber opera in two acts for five characters based on the Oscar Wilde play. Libretto: Eugene Benson. Premier: concert reading Stratford Summer Music 2005. CAST LADY BRACKNELL. (Low Mezzo) A most formidable lady, and in her early fifties. GWENDOLEN. (High Mezzo) About 23, Lady Bracknell’s daughter CECILY. (Coloratura Soprano) About 18,... Read More...

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    Victor and Eugene Benson librettist for The Importance of Being Earnest (chamber opera) happily working toward the premiere.

    
    

    

    Victor, Lori Davies, and Eugene Benson play through score of The Importance of Being Earnest (chamber opera) May 05.

    
    

    

    Victor, John Miller, (producer of Stratford Summer Music’s premiere of The Importance Of Being Earnest (chamber opera) and Eugene Benson, August 2005.

    
    

    

    Premiere concert reading of The Importance Of Being Earnest (chamber opera) L to R: Phillip Chu (piano), Rachael Harwood Jones (Cecily), Richard Szuba (Algernon), Matthew Zadow (Jack), Laura Pudwell (Lady Bracknell) at Stratford Summer Music August 2005.

    
    

    

    The Importance Of Being Earnest (chamber opera) cast and creative party after Stratford Summer Music premiere August 2005. L to R:Victor, Phillip Chu, Richard Szuba, Erin Lawson, Eugene Benson, Heather Davies (director), Rachael Harwood Jones, Matthew Zadow, Laura Pudwell, ?

    
    

    

    Victor and Eugene Benson celebrate.

    
    
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  Transit Of Venus

  • (vocal solos)
   
  • 2007
   
  • 9'

  A full length opera in three acts with libretto by Maureen Hunter. Based of Maureen Hunter’s play Transit Of Venus Premiere November 24, 27,30, 2007, Manitoba Opera, Winnipeg Manitoba. Manitoba Opera – http://www.manitobaopera.mb.ca/transitofvenus/transitofvenus.html James Meena, conductor Larry Desrochers, director Creation and production was made possible through the generous support of James Richardson & Sons Ltd... Read More...

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    Manitoba Opera premiere Transit of Venus poster.

    
    

    

    Manitoba Opera premiere Transit of Venus Act 1, Scene 1: Colin Ainsworth (Demarais), Russell Braun (Le Gentil) and men celebrate beginning of voyage to India. Photo – R. Tinker

    
    

    

    Manitoba Opera premiere Transit of Venus Act 1, Scene 1: Russell Braun (Le Gentil) sings of his dream of revealing God through astronomy. Photo – R. Tinker

    
    

    

    Manitoba Opera premiere Transit of Venus Act 1, Scene 2: Judith Forst (Madame Sylvie) sings about her rebellious days at the convent as Celeste (Monica Huisman) listens. Photo – R. Tinker

    
    

    

    Manitoba Opera premiere Transit of Venus Act 1, Scene 5: Le Gentil (Russell Braun) makes Celeste (Monica Huisman) promise to remember him on his long voyage to India. Photo – R. Tinker

    
    

    

    Manitoba Opera premiere Transit of Venus Act 1, Scene 2 set. Photo – R. Tinker

    
    

    

    Manitoba Opera premiere Transit of Venus Act 2, Scene 1: Woman’s chorus sets out the marriage feast. Photo – R. Tinker

    
    

    

    Manitoba Opera premiere Transit of Venus Act 2, Scene 2: Le Gentil (Russell Braun) speaks of his voyage to the Orient. Photo – R. Tinker

    
    

    

    Manitoba Opera premiere Transit of Venus Act 1, Scene 3: Le Gentil (Russell Braun) promises Celeste (Monica Huisman) he will return at once when the transit is over. Photo – R. Tinker

    
    

    

    Manitoba Opera premiere Transit of Venus Act 3, Scene 1: Margot (Jean Stillwell) is amazed at how Le Gentil (Russell Braun) has been aged by his long voyage home from India. Photo – R. Tinker