Pulitzer Prize-winning “Angel’s Bone” opera on human trafficking set to grace B.C. stages in November 2022

Sound The Alarm: Music/Theatre and re:Naissance Opera will be bringing the Pulitzer Prize-winning opera Angel’s Bone by Du Yun and Royce Vavrek to the ANNEX in Vancouver from November 25 to November 27, 2022. Beyond the the contributions of these two collaborative producers, the opera will also be mounted with support from first-time creative partners Loose Tea Music Theatre, Arraymusic, and Vancouver’s venerable Turning Point Ensemble. This will be the work’s Canadian premiere. Amplify BC’s Live Music program is supporting this presentation.

Angel’s Bone  is a timely new piece that focuses on the gritty and unsparing realities of human trafficking and its all-too-frequent impacts on youth. Like many contemporary operas, the goal of this new project – beyond pushing the contemporary music envelope itself forward – is focused around fostering social engagement and awareness linked to a timely issue.

The genesis for this undertaking is rooted in collaboration. As an experienced opera and music theatre producer who strives to ‘sound the alarm’ on contemporary social issues via each of his company’s projects, company head Alan Corbishley was initially approached by Debi Wong, founding Artistic Director of re:Naissance Opera, to strategize on if this would be a viable offering to follow-up to their last joint presentation of Handel’s ACIS + GALATEA (2017). In the context of the social and artistic success of that particular project – a Queer re-framing of Handel’s work, which was spotlighted by Vancouver Classical Music that same year – the timing and potential for Angel’s Bone felt opportune.

When asked to reflect on the context and rationale for presenting Angel’s Bone, Corbishley offers, “Whether new to opera, or an opera veteran, this will likely be a shock to the senses. It’s an explosive piece of music that presents a jarring narrative – and, therefore, it’s not for the faint of heart.”

Alongside the opera’s weighty themes, the score itself will take listeners on a journey encompassing medieval chants, electronic sounds, dance music, and punk-inspired arias, nestled snugly alongside more conventional operatic idioms. The project promises to be a journey for the ears, a challenge to the senses, and a story from the heart that will change artists and audiences alike.

Tickets for Angel’s Bone can be purchased here. 

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