Visual Art by Mishiikenh Kwe
Canoe is a captivating tale of two sisters from Northern Ontario, their ancestral tree, and an old, but familiar, visitor from the past. Through a minimalist aesthetic, this poignant work breaks free from Eurocentric operatic structures, creating an accessible and safe space for diverse audiences to experience the transformative power of Indigenous storytelling and opera
“[…] a mesmerizing tale of determination and survival, an invincible quest for renewal in a time of fading hope for reconciliation. Heartbreaking and tragic, uplifting and mystical, this altogether original, endlessly eloquent two-act Indigenous chamber opera […] movingly re-contextualized the form, steadily gathering force as it swirled from chronicle to folktale to epiphany. ”
– Ian Ritchie, Opera Going Toronto
Canoe
Text/Story by Dr. Spy Dénommé-Welch
Music by Dr. Spy Dénommé-Welch & Catherine Magowan
120 minutes
3 x mezzo-soprano/alto/counter-tenor
1 x tenor
1 x recorders
1 x violin
1 x violoncello
1 x archlute
1 x harpsichord
Performance History
World Premiere
September 12 – 16, 2023: Co-production between Unsettled Scores, Native Earth Performing Arts, The Toronto Consort, and Theatre Passe Muraille (Trinity-St.Paul’s United Church & Centre for Faith, Justice and the Arts, Toronto)
Co-Directors: Dr. Spy Dénommé-Welch & Dr. Moynan King
Music Director: Catherine Magowan
Assistant Music Director / Lute & Theorbo: Dr. Benjamin Stein
Production Knowledge Holders: Dr. Catherine Longboat & Morris Lessard
Debaajimod: Michelle Lafferty
Tree Spirit: Conlin Delbaere-Sawchuck
Gladys: Nicole Joy-Fraser
Constance: Kristine Dandavino
Recorders: Alison Melville
Violin: Kathleen Kajioka
Cello: Margaret Jordan-Gay
Harpsichord: Paul Jenkins
Lute & Theorbo: Dr. Benjamin Stein
Choreographer: Montana Summers
Lighting Designer: Siobhan Sleath
Set and Props Designer: Lindy Kinoshameg
Costume Designer: Sherri Hay
Costume Assistant: Aurora Judge
Hair & Makeup: Deandra Wells
Surtitles: Camille Rogers
Producers: Ulla Laidlaw & Catherine Magowan
Production Manager: Aden Altamirano
Head Technician: David Fisher
Stage Manager: Meghan Speakman
Assistant Stage Manager: Angela Mae Bago
Surtitle Creator/Operator: Camille Rogers
Audio Describers: Janis Mayers, James McKenzie
Production Support Dog: Maeve
Canoe in media:
Opera Going Toronto: Top 3 TO Opera 2023 “Heartbreaking and tragic, uplifting and mystical, this altogether original, endlessly eloquent two-act Indigenous chamber opera […] movingly re-contextualized the form, steadily gathering force as it swirled from chronicle to folktale to epiphany.”
Previews:
CBC London: Heartfelt opera written by Indigenous storyteller debuts this week in Toronto
The Globe & Mail: Indigenous opera Canoe explores outdoor gear from a First Nations perspective
Ludwig Van Toronto: Toronto Consort Presents Canoe: A New Intercultural Story/Opera In Two Acts
Opera Wire: Unsettled Scores Teams Up With Other Companies to Present ‘Canoe’
Native America Calling: Upcoming Native stage productions
Western News: Western researcher launches land-inspired opera set in a canoe
Reviews:
Opera Going Toronto: Canoe: “Mystical at times, endlessly eloquent, Canoe, an all together original two-act Indigenous chamber opera […] speaks of both bitter reality and metamorphosis, desperation and a quest for peace. […]The mystical and the poetic play a primary role in the achievement of something very much resembling catharsis, language and intonation steadily gathering power as the work unfolds.
A View From the Box: Unsettled Scores’ Canoe: “A beautiful score, impressive performances, and story-oriented presentation make Canoe an absolute must-see event.Canoe addresses a great deal of difficult subject matter with grace and understanding without shying away from the harsh realities. The second act features incredible moments of magical-realism, bringing Canoe to a spectacular conclusion. This opera is riveting, funny, moving, and daring all in one beautiful performance.“
barczablog: Canoe: “The best operas I know touch upon something verging on spirituality in their dense combination of elements that signify so much more than the sum of their parts, a quality I felt more than once watching Canoe for the first time, and which I am certain would resound much more profoundly in seeing the work again. The best works are those we need to see over and over again, deepening our understanding of them. That’s what I would hope for with Canoe.“
Istvan Reviews: Canoe: “The persuasive score for a quintet of woodwind and string is haunting and meditative. It pulls us through the emotional shifts in the story, leading us gently through its eerie dirges and purposeful cadences. Throughout, it contains a certain terrestrial awareness that grounds us. The libretto blends elemental imagery with the colloquial familiarity of the sisters’ playful banter. A lot of humour comes from flippant wise-cracks delivered in an operatic mode.”
Opera Ramblings: Canoe: “The conventions of western opera are cleverly adapted to support ancient and modern Indigenous stories. It feels like a piece with legs and I expect we shall see it again.“
Intermission Magazine: CANOE brings mystical, operatic flair to Canada’s dark history: “My main qualm with CANOE is that I wish it was longer. […] I’m excited to see how the duo behind Unsettled Scores continues to experiment with what opera can be and what stories it can tell.“
Development History
- December 16 – 18, 2019:Canoe workshopped (Brock University)
- Director: Dr. Spy Dénommé-Welch
- Music Director: Catherine Magowan
- Knowledge Carrier: Jean Becker
- Voices: Elisabeth Saint-Gelais, Conlin Delbaere-Sawchuk, Michele Lafferty, Deantha Edmunds-Ramsay
- Instruments: Dr. Benjamin Stein, Dr. Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk, Alison Melville, Mary-Katharin Finch, Christopher Dawes
- June 10 – 14, 2019:Canoe workshopped and excerpts presented (Native Earth Performing Arts, Aki Studio)
- Directors: Dr. Spy Dénommé-Welch & Dr. Moynan King
- Music Director: Catherine Magowan
- Knowledge Carrier: Jean Becker
- Voices: Nicole Joy-Fraser, Conlin Delbaere-Sawchuk, Michele Lafferty, Christa Couture
- Instruments: Dr. Benjamin Stein, Sharon Lee, Alison Melville, Colin Savage, Mary-Katharin Finch, Christopher Dawes
- Assistant: Pesch Nepoose
- November 7, 2018: excerpts of Canoe presented at Weesageechak XXXI (Aki Studio)
- Directors: Dr. Spy Dénommé-Welch & Dr. Moynan King
- Music Director: Catherine Magowan
- Performers: Nicole-Joy Fraser, Conlin Delbaere-Sawchuk, Dr. Cecilia Lee
- Technical: B.C. Batty (Native Earth)
- July 9 – August 1, 2018:Canoe workshopped and excerpts presented at Mskomini Giizis Residency (Native Earth Performing Arts, Aki Studio, funded by the Metcalf Foundation’s 2016 Creative Strategies Incubator)
- Directors: Dr. Spy Dénommé-Welch & Dr. Moynan King
- Music Director: Catherine Magowan
- Knowledge Carrier: Jean Becker
- Voices: Nicole-Joy Fraser, Joanna Burt, Alejandra Nuñez, Conlin Delbaere-Sawchuk
- Instruments: Alison Melville, Rona Goldensher, Mary-Katharin Finch, Dr. Benjamin Stein, Christopher Dawes
- Répétiteur: Dr. Benjamin Stein
- Set Designer: Jay Havens
- Projections: Samay Arcentales Cajas
- Costume Designer: Kinoo Arcentales
- Production Manager: Ulla Laidlaw
- Stage Manager: Heather Kilner
- Assistant Stage Manager: Milena Fera
- Technical: B.C. Batty (Native Earth)
- February 13 – 20, 2015: Canoe workshopped and excerpts presented (Private residence, Toronto)
- Directors: Dr. Spy Dénommé-Welch & Dr. Moynan King
- Music Director: Catherine Magowan
- Knowledge Carrier: Jean Becker
- Voices: Nicole-Joy Fraser, Monique Mojica, Catherine Carew, Lawrence Cotton
- Instruments: Alison Melville, Michelle Odorico, Mary-Katharin Finch, Laura Jones, Dr. Ben Stein, Dr. Sara-Anne Churchill
- Production Manager: Ulla Laidlaw
- February 14 – 23, 2013: Canoe workshopped and excerpts presented (Private residence, Toronto)
- Directors: Dr. Spy Dénommé-Welch & Dr. Moynan King
- Music Director: Catherine Magowan
- Knowledge Carrier: Jean Becker
- Voices: Nicole-Joy Fraser, Monique Mojica, Rose Stella, Lawrence Cotton
- Instruments: Alison Melville, Rezan Onen‐Lapointe, Edwin Huizinga, Mary-Katharin Finch, Dr. Ben Stein, Dr. Sara-Anne Churchill
- Production Manager: Ulla Laidlaw