On April 21, the University of Toronto Faculty of Music co-hosts the day-long interdisciplinary symposium Hearing Riel, with the Munk School of Global Affairs and the Canadian Opera Company (COC). This symposium is presented in conjunction with the COC's new sesquicentennial production of Harry Somers' landmark Canadian opera Louis Riel, which premiered in 1967 for Canada's Centennial. Sung in Cree, English and French, the opera focuses on the controversial and compelling figure of Riel, and invokes timely questions, including the rights and responsibilities of the individual vs. those of the nation, and what constitutes good and accountable government. These issues still resonate with Canadians 150 years after the nation's founding.
Hearing Riel gathers distinguished guests, scholars, and artists to investigate the work, its fraught historical subject matter, and its political implications for today. Please note that the event has reached capacity and is no longer open for registration. Live stream available (see below).
Innis College Town Hall, 2 Sussex Avenue
Live stream the event beginning at 9 am on Friday, April 21 at https://www.youtube.com/user/inniscollege
Program (PDF)