A Canadian premiere of two one-act operas by composer Jake Heggie (Dead Man Walking, Moby Dick)

Based on the true story and poetry of Holocaust survivor and Polish dissident Krystyna Zywulska, and featuring a cast of rising and established Canadian operatic talent, the operas will be accompanied by a chamber ensemble in a brand new staging, featuring a libretto by the Grammy award winning Gene Scheer.

These two one-act operas centre around Krystyna Zywulska, the Polish dissident, writer and Auschwitz-survivor. Born Jewish with the name Sonia Landau, she took on the name and identity Krystyna Zywulska in 1943 under interrogation by the Gestapo, reclaiming her Jewish heritage much later in life. The works explore her memories of survival in the camps, brought to life through musical allusions and vibrant settings of the poetry she wrote in Auschwitz that kept her alive.

The operas will be performed in Beth Tzedec Congregation's Herman Hall, transformed into a playing space that will take us back into Krystyna's memories of her life in the camp, brought to life by designer Jennifer Goodman.

[70-minute performance sung in English]

Director: Aaron Willis (Soulpepper, Theatre Passe Muraille, Tarragon and co-artistic director of Convergence Theatre)
Music Director: Michael Shannon (San Francisco Opera's Merola Program, Canadian Opera Company, Tapestry Opera)

PERFORMERS:
Krystyna: Sara Schabas (Tapestry Opera, Dayton Opera)
Zosha: Georgia Burashko (Banff Centre, International Vocal Arts Institute)
Manfred: Sean Watson (L'opera d'Avignon, Teatro di Livorno)

 

Produced by Electric Bond Ensemble and Beth Tzedec Congregation

Presented by Azrieli Foundation, Electric Bond Ensemble and Beth Tzedec Congregation