Opera NUOVA's 2011 Fall School Tour
October 17 - November 11, 2011
Mr. Moreover's Magic
- By Isaiah Bell
Opera NUOVA is pleased to produce and perform a newly commissioned Canadian Opera for Young Audiences, titled Mr. Moreover’s Magic. Centered on the theme of responsibility to one’s own self, this opera realizes the importance of having a dream and knowing that with dedication and hard work, one can achieve it, no matter how far-fetched it may seem to those around us.
A completely original and newly composed opera, Mr. Moreover’s Magic is written specifically for children and introduces the traditions of the operatic repertoire. Unlike musical theatre productions where there is spoken dialogue, Mr. Moreover’s Magic is sung in its entirety and it introduces five different voice types. Accompanied by piano, Mr Moreover’s Magic features solo, duet, trio and full ensemble singing. We also provide schools with an Orff Ensemble Overture and study guide.
Our ensemble features 5 singers from all corners of Canada. They are new graduates of their respective vocal performance programs and are so eager to share their talents with elementary students in the Edmonton capital region.
We bring the performance to your school and all you need to provide is an enthusiastic audience. Students in grades K to 8 will be able to experience the magic of opera and they can even participate as the orchestra using Orff instruments. Specially adapted for younger audiences and performed in English, this fully-staged and costumed opera lasts approximately 45 minutes and is followed by a question and answer period with the cast.
Here is a listing of the Communities we will be visiting:
Barrhead |
Devon |
Morinville |
Thorsby |
Bruderheim |
Edmonton |
Ponoka |
Tofield |
Calmar |
Fort Saskatchewan |
Red Water |
Westlock |
Camrose |
Gibbons |
Spruce Grove |
Wetaskiwin |
Leduc |
Legal |
St. Albert |
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Cast Members
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Sara Staples --- Doris Whithers
Originally from Calgary, Mezzo-soprano Sara Staples has recently graduated with her Master's degree in Vocal Arts at the University of Southern California. Playing the role of Doris Whithers in Mr. Moreover's magic, we were pleased to have her take on the challenging and substantial role of the Foreign Princess in Opera NUOVA's 2011 production of Rusalka. |
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Aaron Hutton --- Stanley Whithers
Playing the role of Stanley Whithers, Aaron currently lives in Winnipeg where he most recently completed a Bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance at the University of Manitoba Marcel A. Desautels Faculty of Music. With a strong passion for theatre, Aaron has been fortunate enough to perform with some of Winnipeg's leading musical theatre companies and most recently played the role of Fabrizio in NUOVA's 2011 production of The Light in the Piazza. |
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Catherine Bergeron --- Drusilla Everso & Elsie Weisenheimer
Catherine Bergeron most recently performed the demanding role of Susanna in the 2011 NUOVA Summer Intensive Program of The Marriage of Figaro but was also a participant in the 2010 NUOVA Summer Intensive Program, where she played the role of Meg Page in Falstaff. Originally from St - Augustin-de-Desmaures, Quebec, Catherine just completed her Master's Degree in Voice from L'Universite Laval and currently studies with Lyne Fortin. |
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Amanda Hillestad --- Hilary Henceforth & Telarina the Robot
Amanda Hillestad has recently completed an undergraduate degree majoring in voice from McGill University in Montreal. As an ensemble member for the 2011 Operatic Summer Intensive, Amanda performed in all of NUOVA's productions. (Rusalka, The Marriage of Figaro, and The Light in the Piazza) and has recently returned from a trip to China! |
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Giovanni Spanu Marjorie --- Whithers & Ernest Moreover
A graduate of the Masters of Music in Opera Performance degree at the University of Toronto, Giovanni Maria Spanu will play the role of Marjorie Whithers and Ernest Moreover in Mr. Moreover's Magic. Most recently he played the role of Signor Naccarelli and The Hunter in NUOVA's 2011 Summer Intensive Productions of The Light in the Piazza and Rusalka. |
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RYAN SIGURDSON
Ryan is an Edmonton-based music director, actor, singer, violinist, voice coach and composer. Last season he received a Sterling Award for music directing The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at The Mayfield Dinner Theatre in Edmonton. He recently played the narrator/pianist in Billy Bishop Goes to War at the Citadel Theatre where, he assistant music directed the Broadway musical, Little Women. Other recent music directing credits include Everybody Goes to Mitzi’s for Teatro La Quindicina (Sterling Award for Music Direction); Assassins for Studio Theatre; Ankles Aweigh and Bells Are Ringing at the Edmonton Fringe. Ryan’s composing credits include The Infinite Shiver, Eros and the Itchy Ant, and Everybody Goes to Mitzi’s (Sterling Award) for Teatro La Quindicina; Water’s Daughter and A Dybbuk for Two People for Northern Light Theatre. Recently he has taught at the Citadel/Banff Centre Professional Theatre Program, at The Robbins’ Academy at the Citadel’s Young Musical Company, and at Artstrek, a 50 year strong summer theatre process intensive for teens. Ryan’s ongoing training has included Canada’s National Voice Intensive, the Goodspeed Opera House Music Directing Intensive and Opera NUOVA’s Vocal Arts Festival as a répétiteur. |
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BRIAN DEEDRICK --- Director
Brian Deedrick returns to Opera NUOVA to direct Mr. Moreover's Magic. In 2011, Brian directed The Marriage of Figaro and Kurt Weill’s Street Scene in 2007. His productions for Edmonton Opera include La Boheme, Otello, The Flying Dutchman, The Pearl Fishers, Falstaff, Lakme, Weill in Weimar, 1929, The Emperor of Atlantis, South Pacific, Turandot, The Merry Widow, Cosi fan tutte, Aida, The Abduction from the Seraglio, Nabucco, Don Giovanni, and Julis Ceasar. Featured engagements include Turandot for Fort Worth Opera, Tosca for Opera Carolina, Don Giovanni, Manon and Turandot for Calgary Opera, The Elixir of Love, and the Pearl Fishers for Arizona Opera; The Merry Widow in Honolulul, Aida for L’Opera de Montreal, and Don Giovanni for Austin Lyric Opera.
As an educator, Brian has taught at the University of Regina, University of Alberta, the Banff Centre and Opera NUOVA, and a highlight of this past season was the full-circle return to his alma mater to direct the U of Alberta Studio Theatre Production of Nicholas Nickleby. Upcoming projects: Don Pasquale in Honolulu, Eugene Onegin in North Carolina and Fidelio right here in Edmonton. |
Opera in Schools and Artist-in-Residence Opportunity
This is a full school day opportunity for elementary students. It begins with a performance of Mr. Moreover’s Magic. After the set has been taken down and removed from the gymnasium and subsequently after recess, the cast of the opera will offer Singing and Acting/Creative Movement classes for students in grades four, five, and six.
Itinerary of A Day with Opera NUOVA. (time frames are flexible)
Morning Show: Mr. Moreover’s Magic (9:15 - 10:00 AM)
Singing and Acting/Creative Movement Classes for Grades 4, 5, and 6
Two different rooms will be required for this day long workshop - a music room (with piano) and a large classroom, or an open space that offers room for creative movement. Each grade must be divided into two groups and we will offer each group a 30 minute workshop in singing and then a 30 minute workshop in acting/creative movement. Each room will have three cast members to supervise, inspire and educate! The workshop material will be based on Unleashing the Expressive Resonant Voice, written by Opera NUOVA’s Artistic Director, Kim Mattice Wanat.
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CLASSROOM |
MUSIC ROOM |
10:30-11:00 |
Grade 4 Group A |
Grade 4 Group B |
11:00 - 11:30 |
Grade 4 Group B |
Grade 4 Group A |
12:30 - 1:00 |
Grade 5 Group C |
Grade 5 Group D |
1:00 - 1:30 |
Grade 5 Group D |
Grade 5 Group C |
1:40 - 2:10 |
Grade 6 Group E |
Grade 6 Group F |
2:10 - 2:40 |
Grade 6 Group F |
Grade 6 Group E |
This package is available for just $950.00 (plus GST).
Schedules/time frames for the Artist in Residence portion are examples and we are happy to arrange the schedule in a way that best suits your needs.
For information about Opera NUOVA and our programs, please contact Kim Mattice Wanat, 780 988 9065 or email operanuova@shaw.ca
Edmonton and surrounding area cost per performance: $450.00
Artist in Residency Package: $950.00
 Don't miss out - Book your performance today!
Click here to see the Reservation Form.
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