KHAOS


KHAOS The world premiere production of KHAOS, an opera in two acts.

KHAOS was commissioned in 2009 by Nelson's Amy Ferguson Institute and created by local composer, Don Macdonald and local playwright, Nicola Harwood.

KHAOS is a re-imagining of the Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone set in a contemporary world of climate change and looming global disaster. The opera asks the question “What if a civilization's greed and need for "progress" prevent Persephone from returning to Earth to console her grieving mother? Would Demeter's grief and rage end life on earth as we know it?

At times, poignant and lyrical, and at others, jagged and threatening, Mr. Macdonald's music is both extremely compelling and highly atmospheric. While challenged by Mr. Macdonald's demanding score, the singers have enjoyed mastering it and look forward to bringing this new opera to life on the stage of the Capitol.

Everyone who had the opportunity to hear the same soloists in last June's workshop performance of Mr. Macdonald's first draft of KHAOS was bowled over by the power of the work and the skill and confident preparation of the performers. With full staging, a live orchestra, a 20 member chorus, brilliantly designed sets, costumes and lighting plus a solo dancer, the premiere performances of the final version of Mr. Macdonald's work can't help but be that much more powerful. Truly, you will not want to miss seeing the birth of Nelson's very own new opera.

The world premiere production of this exciting new opera is being presented by Nelson Community Opera. The production has a cast of 42 singers and instrumentalists and 1 solo dancer and a behind the scenes crew of over 15 designers, and directors and technicians. The production features:

Musical director: Don Macdonald
Stage director: Nicola Harwood
Designers: Thomas Loh, Sharon Huizinga and Lara Blackman
Producer: Marty Horswill

Principal soloists:

Allison Girvan, soprano as Persephone
Audrey Bissett, mezzo soprano, as Demeter
Roger Ley, tenor, as Hades,
Kevin Armstrong, baritone, as Cerberus
Kathleen Neudorf, soprano, as Adriana
Bessie Wapp, alto, as Hekate
Christoph Martens, tenor, as Helios and
Hiromoto Ida, solo dancer.

Ticket prices vary for the different performances:

Opening night: $50 all seats
Friday and Saturday nights:
$40 for adults
$30 for seniors and students
Saturday matinee:
$25 for adults
$15 for seniors and students

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Capitol Theatre Nelson BC

The Capitol Theatre

421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
Phone: (250) 352-6363 or Fax: (250) 352-6303
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