Mezzo-soprano Marion Newman joins Chan Centre as guest curator for new series of works by Indigenous artists
The acclaimed singer is an advocate for BIPOC artists
Marion Newman has performed in several works that speak to her Indigenous identity.
During her career as a singer, Marion Newman has performed works by Vivaldi, Rossini, and Vivier, among countless others. She’s now adding a new title to her CV: guest curator who’s leading the creation of an inaugural series of works by Indigenous artists, set launch in the fall of 2021.
The accomplished mezzo-soprano is of Kwagiulth and Stó:lō First Nations, English, Irish, and Scottish heritage. The co-founder of Amplified Opera, she has appeared the National Arts Centre Orchestra singing Barbara Croall’s Zasakwaa and in Pacific Opera Victoria’s Missing, Marie Clements and Brian Current’s opera in English and Gitksan based on the story of Canada’s missing and murdered Indigenous women. Among other career highlights, she curated and performed in “What is classical Indigenous Music?” with Toronto’s Confluence Concerts.
“I’m honoured to be able to continue my work in advocating for IBPOC artists to create works and perform on their own terms,” Newman said in a release. “This opportunity to curate Indigenous programming for the Chan Centre is a welcome and harmonious inclusion to my growing list of roles.”
Of the several works that speak to her First Nations identity, Newman has performed in Ancestral Voices with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Victoria Symphony’s Nuyamł-ił Kulhulmx—Singing the Earth, Regina Symphony Orchestra’s Five Orchestral Songs on Poems of Marilyn Dumont, and Tapestry Opera’s Shanawdithit, for which she received a Dora Award nomination. She has also performed with Symphony Nova Scotia, Emily Carr String Quartet, Continuum Contemporary Music, Elora Festival Singers, Elmer Iseler Singers, Portland Baroque Orchestra, and Montreal’s Chœur St‐Laurent.
“Marion Newman is an artist of amazing depth and breadth. I am excited to welcome her to our team as a guest curator,” said Chan Centre director T. Patrick Carrabré. “Her wealth of knowledge and experience will be instrumental as we engage and connect with the artists in our inaugural Indigenous series.”
More information about the Chan Centre’s inaugural Indigenous series will be announced in the summer of 2021.
Related Articles
