Against the Grain Theatre explained
Against the Grain Theatre, often abbreviated as AtG, is a Canadian opera company based in Toronto, Ontario.
History
AtG was founded in 2010 by Joel Ivany, who was the company's artistic director until 2023.[1] [2] They are responsible for the production of the film "Messiah/Complex" and the ongoing Opera Pub series.[3] [4] [5]
AtG is a Canadian experimental opera company dedicated to creating vocal works and films staged in surprising locations, with an emphasis on storytelling and artistic experiences.[6] Their performances have given them notable recognition and have been featured by the NYTimes and the BBC along with coverage from across Canada by CBC National, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Macleans, Chatelaine.[7] [8] [9] [10] [11]
Notable events
Year | Events |
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2010-2011 | An Unexpected Evening of Shakespeare is performed at Toronto’s Heliconian Hall[12] La bohème is reinterpreted and staged at the Tranzac Club.[13] [14]
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2012-2013 | The 7 Deadly Sins and Holier Fare are performed at Gallery 345[15] [16] Figaro's Wedding (Le Nozze di Figaro) opens.[17] [18] [19] AtG wraps up the year with its first production of Messiah[20] [21]
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2014-2015 | Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity announces a new partnership with Against the Grain Theatre and The Canadian Opera Company[22] AtG effect on Banff Centre’s opera program is a success with its first two production, Pelléas et Mélisande and #UncleJohn[23] [24] [25] [26]
AtG returns in December with Messiah, which earns the company the Dora Award for Outstanding Performance Ensemble.[27]
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2016-2017 | In November, AtG stages Ayre, the bold, original work by Osvaldo Golijov.[28] A little too cozy is staged and receives a Dora Award nomination.The Canadian Opera Company announces AtG as the first-ever company–in–residence in the history of Canada’s largest opera organization.[29]
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2018-2019 | An international co-production of Orphée⁺ between Opera Columbus, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and AtG is rehearsed at Banff Centre and premiers in Toronto.[30] [31] [32] [33] In August, AtG launches its National Opera Intensive, a summer opera program for students.[34] [35]
AtG performs A Kurt Weill cabaret at the Yukon Arts Centre.[36] [37]
AtG Records releases its first album, "Ayre: Live."[38]
AtG, the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and CBC Music collaborate to present a national tour of La Bohème in bars across Canada. A feature in The Globe and Mail chronicles the ambitious and experimental cross-Canada opera trek, hailing the tour as "groundbreaking."[39]
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2020-2021 | In January, AYRE is performed at the 21C music festival at Toronto’s Koerner Hall.[40] Messiah/Complex also earns international media attention and is featured by the NYTimes. The NYTimes calls AtG’s Messiah/Complex "A Messiah for the Multitudes, Freed from History’s Bonds."[41]
Messiah/Complex premieres in partnership with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra[42]
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2022 | Messiah/Complex receives a JUNOS nomination in the category of Classical Album of the Year, Large Ensemble.[43] [44] | |
Awards and nominations
Against the Grain Theatre has received awards, including the Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Production in 2014 and 2017, and the 2022 Awards for Digital Excellence in Opera by OPERA America.[45]
AtG has received over 25 Dora nominations and won multiple categories for numerous productions.
Year | Production | Nominations |
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2014 | Figaro's Wedding[46] [47] | - Outstanding New Opera 2014 (Won)
- Outstanding Production (Nominated)
- Outstanding Direction (Nominated)
| |
2015 | - UncleJohn[48]
| - Best New Opera
- Best Male Performance
- Best Ensemble
| |
2016 | Messiah[49] | Outstanding Ensemble Performance (Nominated) | |
2018 | La Bohème[50] |
| |
2018 | Orphée⁺[51] | - Outstanding Production – Opera Division
- Outstanding Performance: Female — Marcy Richardson
- Outstanding Performance: Ensemble – The Ensemble: The Ensemble Dancers of Company XIV
- Outstanding Direction – Joel Ivany
- Outstanding Scenic Design – S. Katy Tucker
- Outstanding Costume Design – Zane Pihlström
- Outstanding Lighting Design – JAX Messenger
- Outstanding Choreography – Austin McCormick
- Outstanding Musical Direction – Topher Mokrzewski
| |
2023 | Bluebeard’s Castle[52] [53] | - Outstanding Production-Opera division(Won)
- Outstanding Performance by an Individual: Gerald Finley, Bluebeard’s Castle(Won)
- Outstanding Direction: Daisy Evans, Bluebeard’s Castle(Won)
| |
Notes and References
- Web site: Anya . Wassenberg . 2023-07-12 . THE SCOOP Joel Ivany To Step Back From Against The Grain Theatre After 13 Years . 2023-09-08 . Ludwig van Toronto . en-US.
- Web site: Whifen . Robin . Founder & Artistic Director Joel Ivany Stepping Back from AtG – Against the Grain Theatre . 2023-09-08 . en-US.
- News: Bilefsky . Dan . 2020-12-21 . A 'Messiah' for the Multitudes, Freed From History's Bonds . en-US . The New York Times . 2022-07-25 . 0362-4331.
- Web site: Events Archive . 2022-07-25 . Ludwig-van.com.
- Web site: Opera Pub – Against the Grain Theatre . Atgtheatre.com . 2022-07-25 . en-US.
- News: 2016-07-21 . How Against The Grain changed the opera game with modernized productions in bars, galleries and studios . en . National Post . 2022-07-23.
- Web site: BBC World Service - Newsday, A diverse interpretation of Handel's Messiah . 2022-08-09 . BBC . en-GB.
- News: Wheeler . Brad . 2020-12-09 . Against the Grain's daring interpretation of Handel's Messiah might get a rise out of the hallelujah people . en-CA . The Globe and Mail . 2022-07-25.
- Web site: 2019-10-12 . This 'Bohème' takes on the lives of today's 20-somethings . 2022-07-25 . Thestar.com . en.
- Web site: Opera comes down from the mountain. Lev. Bratishenko. Macleans.ca. 19 August 2014. 8 August 2022.
- Web site: How To Watch An Epic Online Canadian Messiah. Paul. Wells. Chatelaine.com. 11 December 2020. 8 August 2022.
- Web site: Lawlor . Robert . Against The Grain Theatre presents AN UNEXPECTED EVENING OF SHAKESPEARE, 12/1. . 2022-07-22 . BroadwayWorld.com . en.
- Web site: 2011-06-02 . La Bohème Goes Against the Grain at the Tranzac . 2022-07-22 . Torontoist.com.
- Web site: 2011-06-02 . This La Bohème belongs in the bar . 2022-07-22 . Thestar.com . en.
- Web site: Stage Door News . 2022-07-23 . Stage-door.com.
- Web site: Review: Seven Deadly Sins (and Holier Fare) (Against the Grain Theatre) Mooney on Theatre . 2022-07-23 . Mooneyontheatre.com.
- Web site: 2019-11-01 . Against the Grain Theatre to Revive Award-Winning 'Figaro's Wedding' . 2022-07-23 . Operawire.com . en-US.
- Web site: AGAINST THE GRAIN THEATRE PRESENTS: FIGARO'S WEDDING — REVIEW BY JOHN NYMAN . 2022-07-23 . Briband.com. en-US.
- Web site: 2013-05-29 . Figaro's Wedding a treat from beginning to end: Review . 2022-07-23 . Thestar.com . en.
- Web site: Review: AtG's Messiah (Against The Grain Theatre) Mooney on Theatre . 2022-07-23 . Mooneyontheatre.com.
- Web site: 2013-12-13 . Messing with Handel's Messiah . 2022-07-23 . Thestar.com . en.
- Web site: The Banff Centre partners with Against the Grain Theatre and Canadian Opera Company for innovative new opera training program . 2022-07-23 . Banffcentre.ca . en.
- Web site: Opera by location. - Free Online Library . 2022-07-25 . Thefreelibrary.com.
- Web site: 2014-06-22 . AtG Pelléas et Mélisande . 2022-07-25 . Barczablog.com . en.
- Web site: Review - #UncleJohn - Against the Grain Theatre, Toronto - Christopher Hoile . 2022-07-25 . Stage-door.com.
- Web site: Kaplan . Jon . 2014-06-22 . Pelleas Et Melisande . 2022-07-25 . Nowtoronto.com. en-US.
- Web site: CityNews. Toronto.citynews.ca. 8 August 2022.
- Web site: Against the Grain's Ayre to deliver powerful evening of cultural mash-ups. Robert. Harris. 9 November 2016. 8 August 2022. Theglobeandmail.com.
- Web site: THE SCOOP | Canadian Opera Company Appoints First-Ever Disruptor-In-Residence . Ludwig-van.com. 27 January 2021 .
- Web site: Orphee Credits and Program. Banffcentre.ca. 8 August 2022.
- Web site: Eagerly anticipating Against the Grain's Orphée⁺ next week. Barczablog.com . 21 April 2018 .
- Web site: The Banff Centre innovates by bringing classical opera into the modern age with Orphée+ and Candide . Theyyscene.com.
- News: At Toronto's Against the Grain Theatre, opera is wildly reimagined. Calum. Marsh. National Post. 26 April 2018. 8 August 2022.
- Web site: AtG & UofT's Summer Modern Intensive: "They are eager. Period." . Schmopera.com.
- Web site: National Opera Intensive – Against the Grain Theatre. Atgtheatre.com .
- Web site: AtG Goes North – Against the Grain Theatre. Atgtheatre.com .
- Web site: Weill's Sins. Nowtorornto.com . 15 March 2012 .
- Web site: AYRE: LIVE – Against the Grain Theatre . Atgtheatre.com .
- Web site: Against the Grain Theatre takes Puccini on a beer-soaked road trip. Brad. Wheeler. 18 October 2019. 8 August 2022. Theglobeandmail.com.
- Web site: Royal Conservatory | 21C MUSIC FESTIVAL: Against the Grain Theatre's Ayre and other works by Osvaldo Golijov. Ludwig-van.com .
- News: A 'Messiah' for the Multitudes, Freed from History's Bonds . The New York Times . 21 December 2020 . Bilefsky . Dan .
- Web site: THE SCOOP | Against the Grain Announces a New Take on Handel's Messiah in Partnership with the TSO and Banff Centre . Ludwig-van.com. 9 November 2020 .
- Web site: Inuk singer Looee Arreak in 'shock and disbelief' at Juno nomination. Cbc.ca. 8 August 2022.
- Web site: Jonathon Adams and Co Nominated for Juno Award for "Messiah/Complex". Schwalbeandpartners.com .
- Web site: 2022 Awards for Digital Excellence in Opera . 2023-06-11 . Opera America . en-us.
- Web site: TAPA - Nominations Announced for 2020 Dora Awards – Virtual Edition!. Tapa.ca . 8 June 2020 .
- Web site: Announcement: 2014 Dora Mavor Moore Awards Nominees (With links to MoT reviews) . Mooneyontheatre.com.
- Web site: 2015-06-01 . THE SCOOP 2015 Dora Mavor Moore Awards Announced . 2022-07-29 . Ludwig-van.com.
- Web site: Kappler . Maija . 2016-05-30 . Intermission Dora Mavor Moore Award Nominations 2016 . 2022-07-29 . Intermissionmagazine.com . en-CA.
- Web site: 2018-05-31 . THE SCOOP Indie Opera Makes History Dominating 2018 Dora Award Nominations . 2022-07-29 . Ludwig-van.com.
- Web site: 2018-05-31 . THE SCOOP Indie Opera Makes History Dominating 2018 Dora Award Nominations . 2022-07-29 . Ludwig-van.com.
- Web site: 2023-06-28 . THE SCOOP COC's Macbeth & Bluebeard's Castle by Against The Grain Sweep Doras In The Opera Division . 2023-09-08 . Ludwig van Toronto . en-US.
- Web site: 2023-06-28 . TAPA - Recipients Announced for 43rd Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards, 2023! . 2023-09-08 . TAPA . en-CA.