SEPTEMBER 29, 2021, VANCOUVER, B.C. – In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Pacific Opera Victoria and Vancouver Opera will re-release a free broadcast of the family opera The Flight of the Hummingbird online September 30, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. PDT. The opera will be available to watch online until October 7, 2021.
The Pacific Opera Victoria and Vancouver Opera co-production of The Flight of the Hummingbird took flight in January 2020 to schools across British Columbia. The Flight of the Hummingbird is based on an Indigenous parable from the Quechuan people of South America. The story of the brave hummingbird travelled through pre-contact trade routes to become well known within Haida culture. The opera is influenced by the graphic novel written by acclaimed Haida artist Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas and includes elements of his dramatic Haida-manga illustrations. In it, the animals of the forest are inspired to come together by Dukdukdiya, the Hummingbird, to save their beautiful home from a raging fire.
“The Flight of the Hummingbird is an environmental fable about moral courage, the story encourages doing what we can for our planet – a fitting call to action for these turbulent times,” says Pacific Opera Victoria CEO Ian Rye.
Adds Tom Wright, Vancouver Opera General Director, “we are honoured to be able to share this special story of hope and perseverance by offering this extraordinary opera for audiences of all ages to enjoy.”
The Flight of the Hummingbird is 45 minutes in length and features Sara Schabas as Dukdukdiya, Evan Korbut as Owl, Jan van der Hooft as Bear/Crow 2 and Rebecca Cuddy as Bunny/Crow 1. Stage direction is by Glynis Leyshon with music direction by Kinza Tyrrell. Music composed by Maxime Goulet, libretto and design by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas and Barry Gibson.
The Flight of the Hummingbird will be available to watch at https://www.hummingbird.
For more information about the 2021–2022 Vancouver Opera Season, and to subscribe, please visit vancouveropera.ca.
Vancouver Opera has the continuing support of The Canada Council for the Arts, Government of Canada, the BC Arts Council and BC Provincial Government, the City of Vancouver Cultural Services and Vancouver Civic Theatres. Vancouver Opera season sponsor is BMO. Ticket Centre sponsor is Mission Hill Family Estate.
ABOUT VANCOUVER OPERA
Vancouver Opera creates extraordinary experiences that engage, inspire and entertain the community through voice, music and theatre. Vancouver Opera is the second largest professional opera company in Canada and is regarded worldwide for its fine mainstage productions, country-leading education programs and innovative community programs. Learn more at www.vancouveropera.ca.
ABOUT PACIFIC OPERA VICTORA
Pacific Opera Victoria, one of Canada’s most influential professional opera companies, is known for inspired original productions of classic favourites and lesser-known works, new commissions and co-productions, and collaborations with other companies and arts organizations around the world. From its home in the Baumann Centre, Pacific Opera creates significant career opportunities for creative and performing artists, convenes and develops meaningful civic engagement training and programming, and curates opera in surprising ways – enticing newcomers and captivating loyal opera-goers. Visit pacificopera.ca for more information.
