Promotional trailers for Giiwedin.
Music by Catherine Magowan and Spy Dénommé-Welch
Giiwedin
Creators:
Libretto and Story by: Spy Dénommé-Welch
Music by: Catherine Magowan & Spy Dénommé-Welch
Synopsis:
Written in Anishnaabemowin, French and English, Giiwedin spans multiple centuries and genres, telling the story of Noodin-Kwe’s struggle to protect her ancestral land. Set in Northeastern Ontario, this opera explores early history and its effect on modern-day Canada.
Accolades:
- 2010 Dora Mavor Moore awards nominee for Outstanding New Musical/Opera and Outstanding Musical Direction
Production History:
Giiwedin premiered April 8 - 24th, 2010 at Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace, 16 Ryerson Avenue, Toronto ON, as a Native Earth Performing Arts & An Indie(n) Rights Reserve co-production
Production / Creative Team:
Director: Maria Lamont
Musical Director & Conductor: Gregory Oh
Featuring:
Ryan Allen, Neema Bickersteth, Catharin Carew, Jesse Clark, Lawrence Cotton, Nicole Joy-Fraser, Jessica Lloyd, James McLennan and Marion Newman in the role of Noodin-Kwe
Music Ensemble:
Sara Churchill (harpsichord), Mary-Katherine Finch (violoncello), Lucas Harris (archlute), Edwin Huizinga (violin)
Lighting Design by: Michelle Ramsay
Set Design by: Camellia Koo
Costume Design by: Jackie Chau
Stage Manager: Sarah O’Brien
Production Manager: Beth Kates
We wish to thank the following for their generous support:
Praises:
“Aboriginal opera sets the bar... it’s safe to say this is a benchmark other entries in the field will now have to strive to meet.” - John Coulbourn, The Toronto Sun
“The music, played by a continuo quartet led by Gregory Oh, is atmospheric, approachable and occasionally ironic.” - Jon Kaplan, NOW Magazine
“Giiwedin is a hugely imaginative and ambitious first opera by co-composers Spy Dénommé-Welch and Catherine Magowan... the music [...] is so witty, so endlessly inventive and so well performed, the show is worth seeing its sake alone... I can’t wait to see what they will create next.” - Christopher Hoile, EYE Weekly
“Throughout are beautiful instrumental interludes that are evocative tone poems on their own. The libretto contains some very clever rhyming couplets.” - Paula Citron, Opera Canada
About the Work
