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Supporting emerging female and non-binary opera creators is Musique 3 Femmes' mission. Through the MMP3F, the Montreal-based ensemble supports emerging female and non-binary composers and librettists with financing for commissions of new works, mentoring with dramaturge Luna Pearl Woolf and funding for 2 workshops, 1 on libretto and the other on music.

The “Opéra d'aujourd'hui” concert presents the MMP3F 2022 winners. Each composer and librettist duo is unique. We have chosen to share with you the stories and emotions that brought them together. The works were commissioned by Musique 3 Femmes through the Prix Mécénat and supported by the Canada Council for the Arts; the Conseil des arts de Montréal, the Fondation Azrieli, Sixtrum ensemble de Percussion, the University of Guelph, CIRMMT and Opera McGill also contributed to the development of the three pieces.

Emné Nasereddine's poetry in honor

Analía Llugdar, an Argentinian composer living in Montreal, deeply wanted to set a poem by a Quebecois author to music. She discovered Emné Nasereddine, a Lebanese-born Frenchwoman living in Montreal since 2016, and her first book La danse du figuier, which won the Prix Émile-Nelligan in 2021. Touched by the poet's words and story, Analía finds her inspiration there.

La danse du figuier tells the story of three generations of women: Téta, the grandmother, Fadwa, the mother, and Emné, the daughter who recounts the tenderness of those who came before her. The poems deal with the bonds broken by war, death and exile. Analía's opera returns to Emné's original idea of her collection: “My intention was that grandmother, daughter and mother might represent the same woman”. For the composer, it is the daughter who provides the link between the mother and the grandmother, giving her a central place in her opera, “the one who arrives in Montreal, with her memories and who sets things in motion”.

The chronological linearity of the collection is deconstructed, allowing us to focus on “broken links and communication through vibrations, war, etc.”. The words captivate and inspire Analía with their lyricism: “It's quite an intimate work, with a character who goes through all the emotions. It's an intimate revolution, not a quiet one, but an intimate one”.

A fable about the housing crisis by the Gray sisters 

Rebecca is a soprano, composer, improviser and violinist. Rachel is an interdisciplinary artist. They are also sisters, and it is together that they have chosen to work on a creation entitled Raccoon Opera. 

This chamber opera explores the absurd facets of the housing crisis, illustrating it through the relationship between a tenant and a devious raccoon. The story is inspired by Rebecca's own experience while still living in Toronto. Why a raccoon, you might ask? “Because there are a lot of them in Toronto, and because everyone loves raccoons!"

Despite the absurdity with which the two artists choose to approach this story, and the funny moments they've managed to create, their primary motivation is to address and raise awareness of subjects that affect everyone: “We appreciate that kind of sincerity and the drama of sincerity,” says Rachel.

Raccoon Opera isn't the first opera Rebecca has written, but it's certainly the biggest project she's ever worked on: “It couldn't have been done without the support of Musique 3 Femmes”. It's not the first time either that the two sisters have worked together on this type of project, and they know how lucky they are to be able to pool their artistic energies so easily. This sisterly relationship makes for mature, honest and lively collaboration and communication!

An opera of native legends for children of all ages

“I think it's a project of friendship and madness for two, together”. This is how Nicole O'Bomsawin, Quebec anthropologist and storyteller of Abenaki origin, begins the interview to talk about the Nanatasis project, which means “hummingbird”. She and Alejandra Odgers, a Mexican-Canadian composer, have been friends for almost 20 years: “I fell in love with all Nicole's legends, music, vision and passion. "

Alejandra is interested in the indigenous languages that are tending to disappear in Mexico, with a view to imagining a musical tale for young audiences. For her part, Nicole has written several books, including 8tlokaw8ganal: légendes, about Abenaki legends, adapted for children. Finally, they approached Musique 3 Femmes with the idea of creating an opera for all, setting three Abenaki legends to music.

The first legend focuses on creation. The creative force called the “Great Mystery” created a percussion instrument, the rattle: “It was by playing this rattle that this ‘Great Mystery’ had the vision of the world, because everything on Earth has a rhythm”. On May 30, only the third legend will be presented and briefly introduced by Nicole, although with great humor she admits, “it's something I usually tell in 40 minutes”.

In this project, Alejandra has never lost sight of her interest in the First Nations peoples of Mexico, particularly the instruments they use, which she has studied. The same goes for Abenaki instruments: “As soon as I heard the legends, there were things I could hear, and I could already see how they might sound in an opera”. 

In the end, Nanatasis is “a happy adventure, because it's one of the first aboriginal operas that I know of”, according to Nicole. It's an adventure that gives us the opportunity to “talk about the Abenaki, show that it's a possible voice for others, and inspire other creators,” she concludes. 

Each of these projects has its own story and inspiration, and Musique 3 Femmes, with Salle Bourgie and Le Vivier, is proud to present them on May 30. We look forward to seeing you at Salle Bourgie at 7.30pm. The concert will be preceded by a discussion at 6:30 pm with the laureates. Tickets are still available here.

Interview written by Typhaine Allain