Life Reflected

2019-03-08 19:00 2019-03-08 21:00 60 Canada/Eastern 🎟 NAC: Life Reflected

https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/18736

On International Women’s Day, the NAC Orchestra shines a light on remarkable Canadian women. First, discover the creative genius of Canadian throat singer Tanya Tagaq, winner of the 2014 Polaris Music Prize, in the performance of Qiksaaktuq where she improvises the lament for murdered and missing Indigenous women. Then through its signature new creation, Life Reflected, a richly emotional and immersive orchestral experience. “Canada’s rich and dynamic history has...

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Southam Hall,1 Elgin Street,Ottawa,Canada
Fri, March 8, 2019
Fri, March 8, 2019
7 PM EST
This event has passed
Music Classical music New works
  • Tanya Tagaq / Christine Duncan / Jean Martin / orch. Christopher Mayo Qiksaaktuq
  • Zosha Di Castri Dear Life, based on the short story by Alice Munro (adapted by Merilyn Simonds)
  • Jocelyn Morlock My Name is Amanda Todd
  • Nicole Lizée Bondarsphere
  • John Estacio I Lost My Talk, based on the poem by Rita Joe
  • ≈ 80 minutes · No intermission
NAC Production

On International Women’s Day, the NAC Orchestra shines a light on remarkable Canadian women.

First, discover the creative genius of Canadian throat singer Tanya Tagaq, winner of the 2014 Polaris Music Prize, in the performance of Qiksaaktuq where she improvises the lament for murdered and missing Indigenous women.

Then through its signature new creation, Life Reflected, a richly emotional and immersive orchestral experience.

Canada’s rich and dynamic history has provided the setting for some of the most captivating, personal and yet universal stories I have heard. What better way to share these stories than through the collaborative voices of some of the best artists and creators Canada has to offer.” - Alexander Shelley, NAC Orchestra Music Director

Four Canadian composers created compelling musical portraits of four exceptional Canadian women. Roberta Bondar, Rita Joe, Alice Munro, and Amanda Todd are the inspiration behind Life Reflected, a unique symphonic and multi-media celebration of youth, promise, and courage. The National Arts Centre Orchestra commissioned four works by Zosha Di Castri, Jocelyn Morlock, Nicole Lizée, and John Estacio to create its largest production ever. The staging includes stunning projections, which immerse the audience in sound, motion picture, photography, and graphic design.

Dear Life, based on the short story by Nobel Prize-winning writer Alice Munro is a reflection on memory, childhood and the formative stages of life.

My Name is Amanda Todd tells the story of a vibrant 15-year-old who, after suffering for years from cyber abuse, spoke out against harassment and bullying on YouTube.

Dr. Roberta Bondar was Canada’s first female astronaut and the first neuroscientist in space.  Her expertise as an astronaut, physician, scientific researcher, and photographer has been interpreted in Bondarsphere

I Lost My Talk, based on the poem by Indigenous elder and poet Rita Joe, expresses Joe’s experience at a Canadian residential school and is accompanied by a film featuring Indigenous dancers and choreography performed on the shores of one of Canada’s Great Lakes. The piece was commissioned for the National Arts Centre Orchestra to commemorate the 75th birthday of The Right Honourable Joe Clark, P.C., C.C., A.O.E. by his family.

**Pre-Concert Talk**

Join host Candy Palmater composer Jocelyn Morlock, as well as special guests Carol Todd and Ann Joe, as they discuss the powerful stories and voices of Amanda Todd and Rita Joe featured in the evening performance of Life Reflected. (English only).
6:00 – 6:30 p.m. location: Canal lobby stage

Candy Palmater is a gay Mi’kmaw actor, writer, comic and activist. She graduated as valedictorian of her class at Dalhousie Law School and went on to practice labour law. She is the star of her own national TV show called The Candy Show on APTN and has acted in many other series including The Trailer Park Boys on Netflix. Candy has also had her own national radio show and can be heard often on CBC Radio One.  Most recently, Candy has signed a book deal. Harper Collins with be releasing her first book, a memoir, in the spring of 2020. Candy is currently taping Season One of her Podcast, Sweet Talk with Candy Palmater, that will be available on iTunes and on TheCandyShow.com website by spring 2019.  Be sure to subscribe to the website to not miss out on the first episode.

Artists

  • dscf9130-curtis-perry-2-cropped
    Conductor Alexander Shelley
  • Creative Producer & Director Donna Feore
  • tanya-tagaq-2
    Vocalist and composer, Qiksaaktuq Tanya Tagaq
  • christine-duncan-1-2
    Improvisation leader and composer, Qiksaaktuq Christine Duncan
  • jean-martin-headshot
    Composer, Qiksaaktuq Jean Martin
  • Composer, Dear Life Zosha Di Castri
  • nathalie-paulin-soprano
    Soprano, Dear Life Nathalie Paulin
  • Author, Dear Life Alice Munro
  • henry-martha-hi-res
    Narrator (recorded voice), Dear Life Martha Henry
  • larry-towell-by-brent-foster-bio-480
    Magnum Photos, photographer, Dear Life Larry Towell
  • merilyn-simonds
    writer, adaptation Dear Life Merilyn Simonds
  • jocelynmorlock-bio
    composer, My Name is Amanda Todd Jocelyn Morlock
  • amanda-todd
    November 27, 1996 – October 10, 2012 Amanda Todd
  • nl-2020-lam0134-crop
    composer, Bondarsphere Nicole Lizée
  • robertabondar-head-shot-k
    astronaut, neurologist, photographer Dr. Roberta Bondar
  • estacio-412-final-bw
    composer, I Lost My Talk John Estacio
  • monique-mojica
    Actor, I Lost My Talk Monique Mojica
  • ritajoe-bio
    poet, I Lost My Talk Rita Joe, C.M.
  • barbara-willis-sweete-c-cylla-von-tiedemann-bio-480
    filmmaker, I Lost My Talk Barbara Willis Sweete
  • film choreographer, I Lost My Talk Santee Smith
  • visual & stage design, Life Reflected Normal Studio
  • peter-mcboyle
    sound designer, Life Reflected Peter McBoyle
  • william-fallon-2015-2-k
    associate sound designer, Life Reflected William Fallon
  • kimberly-purtell
    lighting designer, Life Reflected Kimberly Purtell
  • assistant to the creative producer & director, Life Reflected Ann Baggley
  • susan-monis-brett-headshot
    stage manager, Life Reflected Susan Monis Brett