From new opera to mythological avatars, IndieFest unveils its genre-defying lineup for event November 16 to 27
Highlights include Pulitzer Prize-winning opera Angel’s Bone and first live performance of Live from the Underworld II: Eurydice’s Calling
Live from the Underworld II: Eurydice’s Calling. Photo by Jess MacAleese
THE THIRD ANNUAL IndieFest returns to showcase new and genre-defying musical performances from November 16 to 27 at venues around town, marking the first year of a fully in-person festival.
The 14 events that take place over 11 days throw the spotlight on the stories and people that have been overshadowed by history and tradition. From modern opera, new music, and Indigenous performances to drag, theatre and extended reality, the festival organized each year by re:Naissance opera empowers marginalized artists to change the narrative and reimagine the future of storytelling.
IndieFest co-producers and curators Debi Wong and Stephanie Wong have embarked on a nation-wide collaboration with four indie opera companies to present the Canadian premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-winning opera Angel’s Bone, by Chinese-American Composer Du Yun and Canadian Librettist Royce Vavrek. The newly-imagined, all-Canadian production depicts the realities of child and youth trafficking and sexual exploitation, juxtaposed with the resilience of survivors and the journey of reclaiming one’s power.
Elsewhere, opera meets emerging technology with the first-ever in-person performance of Live from the Underworld II: Eurydice’s Calling, which kicks off the festival on November 16 at The Annex. Using computer-generated sets and mythological avatars brought to life by the remarkable collaboration of opera, dance, hip hop, and video game professionals, audiences can experience a hybrid stage adaptation of the story through real-time motion capture and projection. This two-part series has been nominated as a finalist for the 2022 International AUREA Awards in XR.
Audiences can also look forward to the four-part Imaginarium Performance Series, which brings together BIPOC and LGBTQ2SIA+ leaders from different artistic disciplines, at various stages of their careers, to curate and participate in futuristic design processes that catalyzes the arts industry towards transformational change. Curators Stephanie Wong, Kelsey Wavey, Raven Grenier, and Rich Coburn each host an evening of multidisciplinary experimentation, burlesque, Indigenous performances, and vocal chamber music, respectively.
Tickets and information are available at indiefest.eventbrite.ca, with the full program available at reopera.ca/indiefest.
Post sponsored by re:naissance opera.