Opera Atelier Celebrates the Arrival of Spring with Handel’s The Resurrection In Koerner Hall

From a media release

Opera Atelier Celebrates the Arrival of Spring and the Easter Season
with Handel’s The Resurrection In Koerner Hall

Handel’s first acknowledged masterpiece restored to its original splendour in Canadian premiere of Opera Atelier’s fully-staged production for live audience April 6, 8 & 9, 2023

Toronto, ON — Opera Atelier announces the much anticipated finale of its 2022/23 season Handel’s The Resurrection, on stage April 6 and 8 at 7:30pm and April 9 at 2:30pm at Koerner Hall, TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning. The Resurrection marks the Canadian premiere of Handel’s first acknowledged masterpiece in a fully-staged production for a live audience. 

Artist of Atelier Ballet Dominic Who in Handel's Resurrection, photo by Bruce Zinger
Artist of Atelier Ballet Dominic Who in Handel's Resurrection, photo by Bruce Zinger

The company’s lavish production will feature musical accompaniment from Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra under the baton of David Fallis, choreography by Founding Co-Artistic Director Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg C.M., performed by Artists of Atelier Ballet, and an innovative, multi-level set by Opera Atelier’s resident set designer Gerard Gauci. The all-star Canadian cast includes Soprano Carla Huhtanen, Soprano Meghan Lindsay, Mezzo-Soprano Allyson McHardy, Tenor Colin Ainsworth, and Bass–Baritone Douglas Williams.

“Handel’s expansive vision for this timeless story of rebirth resulted in the creation of one of his greatest works,” says Marshall Pynkoski C.M., Opera Atelier Founding Co-Artistic Director and The Resurection’s Stage Director. “I’m delighted to be presenting this work as was originally intended – a work to be experienced by a live audience in a stunning venue. We view this production as the perfect opportunity to welcome the spring and embrace a city that is returning to live theatre with great enthusiasm.”

Written for Easter of 1708, Handel’s The Resurrection details the events between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, and the tension leading up to Christ’s resurrection following his crucifixion and burial. The narrative plays out simultaneously across two spheres. In the celestial realm, a militant Archangel demands entrance to Hades and disputes the claims of a boastful Lucifer, insisting Christ’s death was an act of sacrificial love. Always the consummate showman, Handel ensured the opera is not without its moments of humour, as the Archangel and Lucifer spar for the upperhand. Meanwhile on Earth, Mary Magdalene, Cleophas and St. John the Evangelist struggle to make sense of Christ’s brutal death. Handel’s astonishingly sensual score and vivid word painting act as a catalyst for an exceptional play of emotions for all of the protagonists.

Bass-baritone Douglas Williams as Lucifer in Opera Atelier's filmed production of Handel's Resurrection, photo by Bruce Zinger
Bass-baritone Douglas Williams as Lucifer in Opera Atelier's filmed production of Handel's Resurrection, photo by Bruce Zinger

Opera Atelier’s production of The Resurrection brings Handel’s transcendent work to life through an inventive transformation of Koerner Hall by Gauci — a major intervention unlike anything Koerner Hall has ever presented. The multi-level set features double staircases leading from the choir loft to the floor of the concert hall, delineating the supernatural and earthly worlds. The set also features two enormous pulpits for exclusive use by the Archangel and Lucifer, mirroring the story’s liturgical foundation. The staging is further enhanced by the evocative lighting design of Kimberly Purtell and the gorgeous costume design by Michael Legouffe.

The role of the Archangel, who opens the production, will be sung by coloratura Soprano Huhtanen. Last seen in Opera Atelier’s Don Giovanni, Huhtanen’s renowned vocal range and razor-sharp coloratura make her a natural for this role. Huhtanen interacts closely with the Artists of Atelier Ballet who act as a corps of angelic beings wielding swords in order to gain access to Lucifer’s kingdom.

Douglas Williams will play the role of Lucifer — a superb linguist, Williams is renowned for his impassioned delivery of Italian repertoire. Ainsworth is ideally suited for the role of St. John the Evangelist. Now one of Canada’s most distinguished tenors, this is the first role Ainsworth ever sang for Opera Atelier, when he made his professional debut in the company’s semi-staged production 20 years ago. Lindsay, as Mary Magdalene, and McHardy, as Mary Cleophas, round out the cast, promising deeply sensitive and nuanced performances.

Soprano Meghan Lindsay and Artists of the Atelier Ballet in Opera Atelier's filmed production of Handel's Resurrection, photo by Bruce Zinger
Soprano Meghan Lindsay and Artists of the Atelier Ballet in Opera Atelier's filmed production of Handel's Resurrection, photo by Bruce Zinger

The production’s choreography by Lajeunesse Zingg celebrates the original splendour of Handel’s opera, and takes great advantage of Koerner Hall’s expansive stage – making use of the full corps of the Artists of Atelier Ballet. As the opera progresses, the presence of the divine becomes more palpable, and the dancers, as angelic beings consequently become more integrated into the action – interacting with the physical worlds of Mary Magdalene, Cleophas and St. John, and the supernatural realm of the Archangel and Lucifer. The Resurrection represents the first time both male and female Artists of Atelier Ballet will be armed with swords. Jennifer Parr’s fight choreography underlines the militant tone of the production’s opening aria.

“It is a delight to perform Handel’s work in Toronto’s celebrated Koerner Hall,” says Lajeunesse Zingg. “Handel’s superb score will be well-served by the hall’s renowned acoustics, as our artists explore the ecstatic sensuality of Counter-Reformation Rome.”

Opera Atelier Founding Co-Artistic Director Pynkoski has collaborated with many of the finest artists in the world of early music and his productions of opera and ballet have toured throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. He is the recipient of numerous awards including the Toronto Arts Award, the Opera Canada Ruby Award for outstanding contribution to opera in Canada, the TIME Magazine award for Classical music and the Order of Canada. Most recently, Pynkoskis was named Officier dans L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the Government of France in an investiture ceremony that took place on the stage of the Royal Opera House/Versailles.

Opera Atelier Founding Co-Artistic Director and Choreographer Lajeunesse Zingg has choreographed and performed in major theatres internationally. She received her training in London, Copenhagen, and Paris. Lajeunesse Zingg has received a multitude of awards including the prestigious Toronto Arts Award, the Opera Canada Ruby Award for outstanding achievement in the field of opera in Canada, was named by TIME Magazine as one of Canada’s most influential artists in the field of Classical music and was awarded the Order of Canada for her contribution to ballet and opera in Canada. Most recently, she was named Officier dans L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the Government of France in an investiture ceremony that took place on the stage of the Royal Opera House/Versailles.

Comments