Ian Cusson and Colleen Murphy
March 9 AND 10, 2022—7:30 P.M.
March 12, 2022—1:00 P.M. AND 7:30 P.M.
Performed at the Canadian Opera Company Theatre
227 Front St. E., Toronto, Ontario
Performance time is approximately 45 minutes with no intermission
Please note: There will be a two-step entry process as you arrive at the theatre. Click here for more information
A SCENE FROM FANTASMA
WORLD PREMIERE
Recommended for young adults (12-18 years old)
HOUSE PROGRAM
While visiting a boisterous, old-fashioned carnival, best friends Léa and Ivy stumble upon a dark secret. Their ghostly discovery makes them confront an age-old dilemma: when faced with another person’s suffering, do you turn away, or try to help?
This new opera, by former COC Composer-in-Residence Ian Cusson with libretto by acclaimed playwright Colleen Murphy, explores themes of death, violence, compassion and the courage to insist on being heard.
Former COC Director/Dramaturg-in-Residence Julie McIsaac joins the creative team as director and dramaturg, along with a number of current and graduate Ensemble Studio artists cast in leading roles; these include: sopranos Jamie Groote and Midori Marsh as Léa and Ivy; tenor Owen McCausland as the carnival worker Emile; and soprano Charlotte Siegel in the role of Léa’s mother Manon. Set design and costumes from Camellia Koo, executed by Design Co-ordinator Jung-Hye Kim, and lighting by Mikael Kangas infuse the atmosphere with whimsy, nostalgia, and mystery in this haunting, contemporary ghost story.
Curious about your visit to the Canadian Opera Company Theatre?
Click here to view our Social Story & Visual Guide.
Spoiler Alert: This document has been designed to prepare you if you are curious or anxious about your visit to the theatre, but does contain spoilers about some of the characters and the ending of the story.
Are you a teacher or educator looking to book a group viewing of Fantasma?
Click here!
CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM
Composer: Ian Cusson
Librettist: Colleen Murphy
Director/Dramaturg: Julie McIsaac
Set/Costume Designer: Camellia Koo
Lighting Designer: Mikael Kangas
Design Co-Ordinator: Jung-Hye Kim
Emile: Owen McCausland
Léa: Jamie Groote
Ivy: Midori Marsh
Manon: Charlotte Siegel
John/Fantasma: Jonah Spungin
Ms. Palladino: Simona Genga
Noah/Bleeding Zombie: Alex Halliday
Tino, A Clown: Vartan Gabrielian
Marcel: Austin Buckley* (March 9), Olivia Pady* (March 10), and Ari Shparber* (March 12)
*Canadian Children's Opera Company
Executive Director: Katherine Semcesen
Music Director: Teri Dunn
Members of the Canadian Children’s Opera Company appear in all Canadian Opera Company productions requiring children’s voices. Founded in 1968, the CCOC is the only permanent children’s opera company in Canada, providing musical and dramatic training to hundreds of children and youth aged 4-18. It specializes in the development and production of operatic and choral repertoire performed by children. Auditions can be arranged through the CCOC website: canadianchildrensopera.com
