Empire of Wild, a new work by the Canadian Opera Company (COC) will get a boost towards its debut on stage. The National Creation Fund has announced it will place its 100th Investment in the opera, which is a co-commission of the Canadian Opera Company and the National Arts Centre.
“Our work at the Fund is driven by a conviction in the power of creation as a means of evolving culture, of sparking innovation, and shaping our world. We believe that Canada lives through the stories we tell — and new stories, new ideas, and new dreams are required to meet this moment. We need stories that tell the world who we are,” said Sarah Conn, Artistic Producer, National Creation Fund in a statement.
“The Fund is a chance for Canadians from coast to coast to coast to invest in our own culture, and in the new ambitious stories that will become beacons on national and international stages.”
Empire of Wild is based on the hugely popular novel of the same name by author Cherie Dimaline, a writer and a member of the Georgian Bay Métis Council. Dimaline based her story on the Métis legend of the Rougarou or werewolf.
A national bestseller across North America, and acclaimed by both critics and readers, the book tells the story of Joan, whose husband has been missing for more than a year. He vanished on the night they had their very first argument.
One morning in an unassuming Walmart parking lot near Georgian Bay, she comes across a revival tent where a preacher who is popular with local Métis has been drawing crowds. Hungover, Joan stumbles in the tent after the sermon is over. She’s astonished to see Victor, her missing husband. Except, he insists he’s not Victor, but the Reverend Eugene Wolff.
Composer Ian Cusson has created the music for Dimaline’s libretto. The opera will be sung in English and French and will be premiered with the Canadian Opera Company.
The National Creation Fund has invested more than $15 million in major new productions since its inception in 2018.
Intended as a financial catalyst for bold new artistic Canadian works, the Fund invests in new performing arts productions in an amount of between $80,000 and $240,000.
“The most impactful and resonant works are created through exploration, experimentation, and meaningful connections,” said Christopher Deacon, National Arts Centre President and CEO. The NAC is proud to empower Canadian artists to take risks. The National Creation Fund’s investments provide the additional time and resources that bold, ambitious projects need to be successful on the national and international stage.”
That support has helped more than 3,100 artists work on their projects, including 89 projects that have premiered on 69 different stages across Canada from Victoria to Happy Valley-Goose Bay to Iqaluit. Eleven projects are still in development, and:
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