Information: Bradyworks' new opera tackles the October crisis
After Backstage at Carnegie Hall was presented in September 2022, Bradyworks returns with a new opera called Information, imagined by Tim Brady and Chants Libres, in collaboration with Le Vivier. Plunged into the 70s, the audience questions the notion of time through two new historical contexts: the October Crisis and the anti-abortion trial of Dr. Henry Morgentaler. Le Vivier met the composer and Bradyworks director Tim Brady, who reveals a few details about this fully bilingual creation.
In the autumn of 1970, Quebec was affected by a series of tragic events, terrorist attacks to be more precise, committed by the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ). A period we now call the October Crisis. Guitarist and composer Tim Brady has chosen to relate these events in his new opera, Information, through the character of Mary Vance, journalist, played by Marie-Annick Béliveau, Chants Libres artistic director and co-producer of the project.
How is Information related to Backstage at Carnegie Hall?
First of all, from a technical point of view, the cast of the two operas is similar: 5 singers and 4 musicians (digital piano, electric guitar, saxophone and cello). There's a similarity in sounds and in the actors' setting. The sound palette is a bit different, but still in the register of chamber operas.
The time traveler, present in the first opera, also makes a return. She is a different person, as the intrigue takes place in a different historical period. Once again, she reflects on the past, present and future of history and humanity.
Why is this notion of time still very present, forming a real common thread ?
Time has always been a fascination for me, especially as an artist and composer. Take this opera, for example. Between the beginning and the end of the opera, 110 minutes pass. How does time pass? How do the musicians and the audience experience time during this performance? These are the questions I ask myself as a composer.
Human beings can't control time. We can try to control the climate or social issues. But it's almost impossible to control time. It's a major issue and reflection. How do we live with something we can't control but which, on the contrary, has total control over us as human beings and over our society? It's a good question...
The first opera focused specifically on the theme of racism. Information deals with the October Crisis and abortion, in reference to Dr. Henry Morgentaler's anti-abortion trial in the 70s and 80s. Why was it important to talk about these two thematics?
What's interesting about opera is the exploration of dramatic issues. The October Crisis is a good example. I've been wanting to explore this subject for almost 30 years. I was 14 and I still remember the soldiers walking around my neighborhood. My father, who was managing a factory, had to deal with bomb threats. The memories are still vivid.
Most of the intrigue takes place in a newspaper office, with the time traveler meeting the journalist Mary Vance, played by Marie-Annick Béliveau. She informs Mary that Pierre Laporte, Quebec's Minister of Labor, is about to be killed, following his kidnapping by the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) a few days earlier.
At the same time, the character of Mary Vance highlights the place and image of women during this period, and the emergence of feminist issues that are growing, particularly actions in favor or against abortion. Issues that are still relevant today, even if we experience them differently. It's interesting to look back and see how these questions would be interpreted in today's context.
How did you work on this project ?
It began in 2018, when I chose to work with Mishka Lavigne, the librettist, who did a remarkable job with all the guidelines and constraints given.
Then we were able to start the production workshops, especially with singer and producer Marie-Annick Béliveau. I always enjoy working with her because it's always very professional. She chose all the singers using her extensive network, so that they were a perfect match for our needs.
It was really a great collaboration! One word that came up a lot in our meetings and describes our way of working particularly well is "balance".
Will other operas follow on from the first two?
Yes, two more are in preparation. The first two are set in the past. The third and fourth will take place in the future. Mars (Signs of Life) will take a more metaphorical approach to the colonization of Mars, while the last one, Sophia, will focus on the development of artificial intelligence. You'll need to be patient and wait until 2026 and 2028 to discover these two creations.
To discover this new opera, Information, Bradyworks, Chants Libres and Le Vivier invite you to the Espace Orange in the Wilder Building on April 27 and 28. Get your tickets here.
