In February of 2022, Opera Atelier was one of the first Toronto theatre companies out of the gate following the lifting of COVID restrictions with its fully staged mixed program of ALL IS LOVE in Koerner Hall. Ironically, the one-night performance coincided with the truckers’ takeover of the city and consequently, a complete shutdown of access to Koerner Hall and surrounding areas plus an unprecedented winter storm.
Nevertheless, ALL IS LOVE played to a wildly enthusiastic audience of 250 intrepid theatregoers. The enthusiastic response of the audience, coupled with rave reviews, fixed the company’s determination to return to this exceptional mixed program — this time as part of Opera Atelier’s subscription series and with a full run of four performances.
Now, having reassembled the original cast, including Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, ALL IS LOVE returns to Koerner Hall, TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning from April 11 to April 14, 2024. ALL IS LOVE features the music Opera Atelier loves most and includes repertoire by J.P. Rameau, M.A. Charpentier, and Renaldo Hahn - culminating in Act 1 of Debussy’s operatic masterpiece Pelléas et Mélisande - played on 19th century period instruments by Tafelmusik. ALL IS LOVE also includes additional excerpts by Henry Purcell, Matthew Locke, and G.F. Handel plus the full corps of Artists of Atelier Ballet.
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ALL IS LOVE is the perfect introduction to opera and ballet for audience members of all ages. The range of scenes and musical styles ensure the production will include something that will thrill every audience member. It is the perfect celebration of the imminent return of spring to Toronto.
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“A heartfelt artistic response to a global cataclysm. A life preserving theatrical vaccination against cynicism and despair. Long after the final curtain call, ALL IS LOVE still glows bright as a glorious dream,” says Ian Ritchie of Opera Going Toronto.
“ALL IS LOVE explores the different ways love and desire impact our lives and relationships,” says Marshall Pynkoski, Opera Atelier’s founding co-artistic director.
“The character of Love, as portrayed by Artist of Atelier Ballet Eric Da Silva, will literally appear on stage - propelling the action and emotions of all of the performers.”
ALL IS LOVE includes stage direction by Founding Co-Artistic Director Marshall Pynkoski C.M., the full corps of Artists of Atelier Ballet, featuring dancer Eric César De Mello Da Silva, formerly of the Royal Danish Ballet, with choreography by Founding Co-Artistic Director Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg C.M., and additional solo contemporary choreography created and performed by Artist of Atelier Ballet Tyler Gledhill. ALL IS LOVE also features Composer/Violinist Edwin Huizinga, and the renowned Tafelmusik under the baton of Opera Atelier Music Director David Fallis.
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In addition to soprano Measha Brueggergosman-Lee, ALL IS LOVE includes Opera Atelier audience favourites: tenor Colin Ainsworth, soprano Karine White, soprano Meghan Lindsay, mezzo-soprano Danielle MacMillan, soprano Cynthia Smithers, bass-baritone Douglas Williams, and baritone Jesse Blumberg.
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ALL IS LOVE features an extraordinary collection of paintings by Opera Atelier Resident Set Designer Gerard Gauci that reflect each movement of the production. Projected onto the enormous screen of Koerner Hall, Gauci’s creations will act as a breathtaking backdrop for our singers and dancers, with costumes by Michael Legouffe.
“Opera Atelier’s artistic team have long wished to explore the links between French Baroque composers such as Lully and Rameau, and their late 19th / early 20th century compatriots,” says Lajeunesse Zingg, Opera Atelier founding co-artistic director.
“ALL IS LOVE also showcases Act One of Claude Debussy’s symbolist opera, Pelléas et Mélisande, accompanied by Tafelmusik on 19th century instruments. This is the latest repertoire ever explored by Tafelmusik or Opera Atelier, and broadens our perceptions of the very definition of ‘period performance.’”
Single tickets for ALL IS LOVE are on sale now with a limited amount of $40 Operatix available for patrons under 35 and Artsworkers. Tickets and information at: OperaAtelier.com/tickets.
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