Opera From Scratch

Opera From Scratch A one week long opera workshop for composers and singers held in Halifax, NS from August 20-26th, 201 by Dalhousie University musicologist Jennifer Bain.

Opera From Scratch - August 20th - 26th, 2012 -
Dalhousie Art Centre
Presented by Vocalypse Productions
Dalhousie University Music Department
Halifax, Nova Scotia

Opera From Scratch is all about creating new opera by providing incentives and mentorships to a new generation of composers and singers. Vocalypse engaged new opera composer James Rolfe and sent out an international call for participan

ts. The plan was to select five composers and pair them with five singers, but the response was so great that six of each were chosen. The composers each wrote a short opera, approximately ten minutes in length, for solo voice and piano, based on Nova Scotian themes. These pieces were completed six weeks prior to the workshop and sent to the composers’ designated singers for familiarization and rehearsal. During Opera From Scratch, the six brand new mini-operas (see page 5) are being intensively workshopped in private daily sessions with senior composer James Rolfe, singing teacher Lucy Hayes Davis, and pianist/accompanist Simon Docking. Master classes and lectures are being given by Rolfe, Davis, dramaturge Roberta Barker, theatre director Linda Moore, and new vocal music specialist Janice Jackson. Composers and singers are expected to attend each other’s lessons in order to gain insight into their respective creative processes, and all master classes are available to all participants. The general public is invited to attend the three lectures (free) and the four master classes ($10 admission fee). The opening event of Opera From Scratch is a lecture and roundtable titled What is Opera? The closing event is a gala performance of all six operas. Public Events

These are the type of events which are open to the public during Opera From Scratch. Monday, August 20
11:00 am to 12:30 pm
Lecture and Roundtable with Jennifer Bain
What is Opera? Tuesday, August 21
7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Master Class with James Rolfe and Lucy Hayes Davis
Learning From Each Other

Wednesday, August 22
10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Lecture by James Rolfe
Opera Through the Composer’s Lens

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Master Class with Janice Jackson
Perspectives on Contemporary Singing

Thursday, August 23
7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Master Class with Linda Moore
The Director’s Perspective 1

Friday, August 24
10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Lecture by Roberta Barker
The Dramaturge’s Perspective

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Master Class with Linda Moore
The Director’s Perspective 2

Sunday, August 26
3:00 pm to 4:30 pm
World Premiere Performance of Six New Operas
See details on page15

All Lectures and Master Classes take place in Room 406,
Dalhousie Arts Centre, 6101 University Avenue, Halifax. Admission to Master Classes is $10 per person. All Lectures are free. For more information and application forms go to:
http://www.vocalypse.ca/operafromscratch.html

For information regarding our mentors for the workshop go to:
http://www.vocalypse.ca/operafromscratchinstructors.html

This program is generously sponsored by:
The Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage
Cultural Activities Program

Meet the Opera From Scratch gang! 6 composers, 6 mini operas, 6 singers! Final Concert Sunday at 3pm, St. Andrew's Uni...
08/10/2025

Meet the Opera From Scratch gang! 6 composers, 6 mini operas, 6 singers! Final Concert Sunday at 3pm, St. Andrew's United Church
SOCAN Foundation - Fondation SOCAN

Opera From Scratch Gala ConcertSunday, August 17th @ 3pmSt. Andrew's United Church6036 Coburg Road, Halifax🎶✨ Discover N...
08/06/2025

Opera From Scratch Gala Concert
Sunday, August 17th @ 3pm
St. Andrew's United Church
6036 Coburg Road, Halifax

🎶✨ Discover Nova Scotia Through Opera! ✨🎶
Join us for a one-of-a-kind concert featuring six brand-new operas inspired by the rich history and enduring spirit of Nova Scotia.

🖋️ Composers are from Canada, Iran and California.
🎤 Sung by talented vocalists from Canada and Iran.

📚 The stories Include:
- Anna Leonowens, the real-life inspiration behind “The King and I”
- An Occurrence on Oak Island, a legendary mystery reimagined
- The People v. Lobster, a courtroom drama with claws
- Ruth Earley, one of Nova Scotia’s first female lighthouse keepers

This concert is a heartfelt tribute to the culture, resilience, and legacy of Nova Scotia and its people. Whether you're a history buff, opera lover, or proud East Coaster — this is an event you won’t want to miss. Supported by the Fountain School of Music and the SOCAN Foundation SOCAN Foundation - Fondation SOCAN



Find out more about our program @ www.vocalypse.ca

Hear ye hear ye!!OPERA FROM SCRATCH 2025Seeks singing stars!Deadline tomorrow, March 15, 2025www.vocalypse.caSingers, jo...
03/14/2025

Hear ye hear ye!!
OPERA FROM SCRATCH 2025
Seeks singing stars!
Deadline tomorrow, March 15, 2025
www.vocalypse.ca

Singers, join an elite group of 6 composers and 6 singers. Workshop and premiere your very own mini opera! Space is limited. Apply now!

PREMIERE YOUR OWN BRAND NEW MINI OPERA!!Join an elite group of composers and singers for Opera From Scratch 2025, August...
03/08/2025

PREMIERE YOUR OWN BRAND NEW MINI OPERA!!
Join an elite group of composers and singers for Opera From Scratch 2025, August 10th to 17th. We look forward to your application! www.vocalypse.ca/opera-from-scratch

Watch THE BAY OF FUNDY by Irish composer Fionne Linnane
with the wonderful Vania Chan, soprano and Simon Docking, piano

https://youtu.be/2NQYB5Iov6U?si=PZCCKUtNFdSvbuas

"Bay of Fundy" is a short comic opera for soprano inspired by tidal ranges, the Atlantic Ocean, and separation. While waiting for a phone call, Katy, the wi...

OPERA FROM SCRATCH 2025: Application deadline March1sthttps://www.vocalypse.ca/opera-from-scratch/Welcomes:COMPOSERS to ...
02/26/2025

OPERA FROM SCRATCH 2025: Application deadline March1st
https://www.vocalypse.ca/opera-from-scratch/

Welcomes:
COMPOSERS to write and workshop a 10 minute mini opera based on the culture and history of Nova Scotia.
SINGERS, come workshop a new mini opera written just for you!

Applications deadline is this coming Saturday, March 1st

ENJOY:
Five and A Half Days
Composer: Kit Vaughan Soden
Librettist: Stephen Spencer
Soprano: Lisa Perry

In the autumn of 1958, the town of Springhill, Nova Scotia, experienced three large underground earthquakes, called "bumps.” Of the 174 miners in the mine at the time, 75 were killed and 99 survived. This mini-opera is a piece of historical fiction. The protagonist, Violet, is a fictional character developed by the librettist and the composer as they imagined what a wife of one of the miners might have gone through, waiting to hear news of her beloved.

https://youtu.be/KSA6gAMJ61I?si=Z-pdriyBNgdEJtjP

Five and a Half DaysComposer: Kit Vaughan SodenLibrettist: Stephen SpencerSoprano: Lisa PerryIn the autumn of 1958, the town of Springhill, Nova Scotia, expe...

Opera From Scratch: August 10th to 17th, 2025COMPOSE AND WORKSHOP A NEW OPERA!Halifax, Nova Scotia, CanadaApply here: w...
02/18/2025

Opera From Scratch: August 10th to 17th, 2025
COMPOSE AND WORKSHOP A NEW OPERA!
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Apply here: www.vocalypse.ca/opera-from-scratch

Listen to one of our 64 operas:
https://youtu.be/18woOqFuz7s?si=oo_xSnzojBloO9Bk

Composer: Ashi Day
Soprano: Charlotte Stewart-Juby
Piano: Barbara Pritchard

"For Whom the Dog Tolls" depicts the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. Tollers were bred to imitate foxes, for whom ducks have a fatal attraction, in behavior and look, and to be excellent retrievers. This piece is a celebration of this dog breed's "joie de vivre", but careful observers may wonder: why are some of us praised for being intrepid, while others face grave consequences for acting on their curiosity?

Composer: Ashi DaySoprano: Charlotte Stewart-Juby"For Whom the Dog Tolls" depicts the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. Tollers were bred to imitate foxes,...

OPERA FROM SCRATCH 2025Composers: workshop your very own opera! Singers: premiere a new opera written just for you. ...
02/05/2025

OPERA FROM SCRATCH 2025
Composers: workshop your very own opera! Singers: premiere a new opera written just for you.
Apply here: www.vocalypse.ca/opera-from-scratch

Listen to one of our thrilling operas:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de2pwDGeDVo&list=PLJQ36FAy2QQL4nRCmm2pWfcgPUhnR1yqA&index=1

Ascension
Composer: Joel Engström
Soprano: Brittany Rae
Piano: Barbara Pritchard

"Ascension" is about the biggest lobster ever (44 lbs. 5 oz.), caught in Nova Scotia in 1977. In this opera, our lobster is a female and a mother. Although every lobster knows to "keep your head cool or be a fool", she no longer needs to think about such things because divine Mankind has chosen her to be imbued with magnificence! After all, who needs Mankind when you're that smart?

Composer: Joel EngströmSoprano: Brittany Rae"Ascension" is about the biggest lobster ever (44 lbs. 5 oz.), caught in Nova Scotia in 1977. In this opera, our ...

OPERA FROM SCRATCH 2025!Write and Premiere a new solo opera!Applications here: www.vocalypse.caWatch One-Eleven Heavy!ht...
02/01/2025

OPERA FROM SCRATCH 2025!
Write and Premiere a new solo opera!
Applications here: www.vocalypse.ca

Watch One-Eleven Heavy!

https://youtu.be/DNFhOgVyRbA?si=Cjvhgsxxc557yReW

The passengers aboard Swissair Flight 111, which plunged into theAtlantic off the coast of Halifax in 1998, had no idea that anythingwas wrong until just bef...

Opera From Scratch applications are online:www.vocalypse.caEnjoy this blast from the past:Mother of all DinosaursFiona R...
01/29/2025

Opera From Scratch applications are online:
www.vocalypse.ca

Enjoy this blast from the past:
Mother of all Dinosaurs
Fiona Ryan - composer
Caroline Whalen - soprano

https://youtu.be/4DdftSVeT_4?si=Bc_mi-JEUTZUlkRZ

A tale of life, death, and the discovery of Nova Scotia's most famous fossil. A time travelling opera that will transport you back over 300 million years to ...

Address

Halifax, NS
B3N0E6

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Opera From Scratch posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Establishment

Send a message to Opera From Scratch:

Shortcuts

Share