When Highlands Opera Studio (HOS) put out a call for stories based on life in Haliburton County, it piqued Marcia
Mandel’s interest.
She had tales of Highlands experiences, from being a Hike Haliburton leader, to a sound bath practitioner, and a newspaper columnist.
She applied and was chosen as one of the four creators of short operas that will be staged Oct. 18 at the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion in Haliburton.
‘Let’s Make an Opera’ is a grassroots production designed to encourage participation in local theatre.
Mandel said her script, or libretto in opera speak, is about a single mother turning 50 who is looking for something different. She sees an ad in the paper for Hike Haliburton leaders and offers a walk called Crane Lake Cleanse, also the name of the opera. With only 20 minutes to tell the tale, it starts in her kitchen with her son, then quickly shifts
to the start of the hike. She is met with people who have come because other hikes have filled, or wives have forced husbands. And, it’s raining.
“Somehow, even with all of that, I was able to keep myself grounded and take these people on my hike, and it all comes from that,” Mandel says, adding the sound bath element is also woven into the opera. She plays guitar and other instruments.
Learning at Ryerson University years ago that she could write, and having studied screenwriting, the musician said it all came together with this project.
HOS co-artistic director Valerie Kuinka said this Saturday night is a culmination of a “daring” new year-long project, which was supported through a $97,400 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
“We wanted to encourage people who were not familiar with opera to dispel the preconceptions and take a chance to
try something new,” Kuinka said. “All opera is, is stories supported by music and theatre. So, we brought the entire process of creating an opera front and centre to people in Haliburton County.”
Earlier this year, Kuinka gathered stories from the public that feature the Highlands, whether from people who live here or were born here.
Workshops began in April, focusing on background. Each piece is about 20 minutes long and boasts its own dedicated team. Regular meetings were held virtually through spring and summer, with a second workshop in August – with all components coming together for a series of rehearsals.
Kuinka said the idea was to create a heartwarming production for the community, from the community. After
its ‘pay what you can’ singing programs, Kuinka sees this as another way of giving back – and allowing people to peek behind the curtain.
“This is about the people of Haliburton County owning their story. Opera does not have to be professional singers in a big theatre with a full orchestra in a major city. In fact, it’s much more exciting creatively working with smaller operas – this is what we would like to share at home in Haliburton,” she said.
The other operas are: Two Shots at the Working Beaver (written by Veronica Beynon, with Bill Gliddon the composer
and musical director); Desmond and Lois (by Meghan Mardus with Melissa Stephens and Lauren Margison) and Women at the End of the Line (by Janet Trull, with Richard Charles, Stephens and Kuinka).
Tickets for the 7:30 to 10 p.m. performance are available through the HOS website.
