Mission

After a slowdown in operatic creation in the 20th century, contemporary opera is now booming. This revival raises questions about the nature of opera (1), interdisciplinary creation (2) and the future of the genre in relation to new technologies (3). The Canada Research Chair in Opera Creation (CRCOC) addresses these issues through a research-creation approach, with the aim of helping to redefine opera in and for the 21st century.

1. Defining opera in the 21st century

The CRCOC proposes to reexamine the elements considered essential to the very nature of opera, be they musical (instrumentation, vocal technique employed, etc.), dramaturgical (narrative framework, themes addressed, etc.) or scenic (performance space, physical presence, etc.), from a creative standpoint. In order to redefine opera for the 21st century, it is also necessary to confront the misogyny and colonialism historically inherent in the genre and to propose alternative solutions.

2. Co-creating operas: an interdisciplinary, collaborative process

Bringing together music, theatre, visual arts, dance and technological innovation, opera creation has always been a privileged laboratory for interdisciplinary collaboration. The CRCOC approaches the question of the co-creation process from a new angle, combining theoretical reflection on the challenges of interdisciplinary co-creation with a practical exploration of different collaborative modalities and methodologies.

3. The future of opera and new technologies

The many possibilities opened up by digital technologies for the creation, production, dissemination and reception of the performing arts are blurring the boundaries between genres, raising questions about the identity of opera and inviting the exploration of new forms that can democratize opera and reach a wider audience. The CRCOC explores these possibilities on both practical (through the creation of operas for augmented and virtual reality, for example) and theoretical levels (through the analysis of hybrid operas, for example, and their reception).

The CRCOC, which represents the first step in the development of a Center for Innovation and Research-Creation in Opera and Contemporary Music, brings together researchers, students and performing arts professionals in partnership with artistic, technological and cultural institutions around its titular composer Ana Sokolović. Their respective contributions, at the crossroads of research and creation, theory and practice, feed the content of this platform in rhythm with the projects, activities and other creations dedicated to it.

Team

Directors

Ana Sokolović

Zoey Cochran

Associated researchers and creators

Olivier Asselin

Marie-Hélène Benoit-Otis

Sarah Bild

Jean-Michaël Lavoie

Monique Pagé

Diane Pavlović

Andrea Romaldi

Marie-Josèphe Vallée

Robin Wheeler

Collaborators

Eadsé

Philippe Belhumeur

Jack Belhumeur

Cate Elliott

Martin Genest

Tara Karmous

Soleil Launière

Joël Lehmann

Stéphane Nepton

Stefania Skoryna

Caroline Vu

Daffyd Hall Williams

Postdoctoral Fellows

Patrick Giguère

Kit Soden

Students

Jesse Aidyn Dugas

Pierre-Henri Barralis

Chélanie Beaudin-Quintin

Amichai Ben

Clémentine Brochet

Emmanuel Campeau

Laurence Gauvin

Marion Germain

Cole Hayley

Léa Jourdain

Maud Lewden

Antoine Lussier

Sylvain Marotte

Snežana Nešić

Jesse Plessis

Tina-Ève Provost

Maëlig Querré

Théo Raffin

Alithéa Ripoll

Geoffrey Schellenberg

Kevisha Williams

Partners