tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6442101574950229542024-02-06T21:58:35.253-08:00Lillian AllingUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger129125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644210157495022954.post-7427430903045343552010-11-09T15:51:00.000-08:002010-11-15T15:51:55.712-08:00James W. Wright Talks To Gig Magazine<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ghvfv1rgfREPdecG4Ml1iR9vraHXIALDnQIUx5T2hsSylhTl29LKY-majeaLMii0jigikLcJ2uP7pXC0-GrASzzkw9VNGMiPm6k50gq9bjrQWY3lsEamS0u7w85Pg7JUIOxu6a2FqbQ/s1600/GIG+cover.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 301px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ghvfv1rgfREPdecG4Ml1iR9vraHXIALDnQIUx5T2hsSylhTl29LKY-majeaLMii0jigikLcJ2uP7pXC0-GrASzzkw9VNGMiPm6k50gq9bjrQWY3lsEamS0u7w85Pg7JUIOxu6a2FqbQ/s400/GIG+cover.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537668980740393938" /></a><br /><br />News of VO's <a href="http://vancouveropera.blogspot.com/search/label/OPERA%3A%20Lillian%20Alling">Lillian Alling</a>, social media and education initiatives reached UK shores last month. <br /><br />Assistant Editor Clare Wiley of <a href="http://www.gigmag.co.uk/">Gig Magazine</a> got to speak with General Director James W. Wright on the happenings at Vancouver Opera.<br /><br /><em>In October, the Vancouver Opera (VO) premiered Lillian Alling, a newly commissioned work by composer John Estacio and librettist John Murrell. During the upcoming season, the company will perform Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor,Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito, and Verdi’s La Traviata. <br /><br />"We want to do a post-World War II opera every year,"explains general director James W. Wright. "It’s a risk but it’s important to do more contemporary work." <br /><br />This contemporary approach is consistent with how the opera markets itself, having invested time and effort in social media over the last couple of years."We were one of the first companies to employ a fulltime social media manager," says Wright. As well as a presence on Facebook and Twitter, the company provides blogs and podcasts for each production.The ‘Opera Live’ section of its website hosts videos of rehearsals, interviews and audience reaction. The site even includes manga comic strips representing each show. Wright reveals that the opera will soon be launching an online tool to allow people to see a view of the stage from the seat they’re planning to buy. He emphasises the importance of targeting spectators through new technology. "Our Facebook fans come at a reduced price and have a reception," he notes. "We want to show them that opera is still meaningful to their contemporary lives. We get people in the door and they tend to stick." <br /><br />Wright observes, however, that while social media is valuable in terms of forging relationships and spreading the word, it will take time to judge its effectiveness in terms of sales. "We want to continue pushing the social media envelope as much as we can," he says."It’s hard to tell what works and what doesn’t work but if you stuck your head in the door you would be pleased to see it’s by no means all grey hair."<br /><br />Working with an annual budget of CA$9.5m (€6.7m), another driving force of the VO is its educational work,providing five separate schemes for students across British Columbia. One of these is Music! Words! Opera!, a programme that provides free training for teachers to produce an opera with their students who come up with a story and music, as well as design the set. According to Wright, this particular project is very popular, reaching children in around 23 schools. Wright says the VO would like to develop projects for high schools, where the schemes attract fewer pupils. "We work in certain high schools but we don’t reach the numbers we’d like to," he says.</em>Vancouver Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140552082226097614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644210157495022954.post-90820650437953463802010-11-03T15:53:00.000-07:002010-11-15T15:53:37.368-08:00Saying Goodbye To Lillian AllingSets have been struck and costumes put away. Trucks have been loaded and driven to storage.<br /><br />As we prep for the upcoming <a href="http://vancouveropera.ca/lucia_di_lammermoor.html">Lucia di Lammermoor</a>, we're officially saying good-bye to <a href="http://vancouveropera.ca/lillian_alling.html">Lillian Alling</a>. <br /><br />And although <a href="http://vancouveropera.ca/lillian_alling.html">Lillian Alling</a> has come and gone, we'll always have pictures of all the shiny happy faces to remind us of what a grand experience it all was. <br /><br /><object width="400" height="300"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fvancouveropera%2Fsets%2F72157625216057172%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fvancouveropera%2Fsets%2F72157625216057172%2F&set_id=72157625216057172&jump_to="></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fvancouveropera%2Fsets%2F72157625216057172%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fvancouveropera%2Fsets%2F72157625216057172%2F&set_id=72157625216057172&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="400" height="300"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fvancouveropera%2Fsets%2F72157625144177109%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fvancouveropera%2Fsets%2F72157625144177109%2F&set_id=72157625144177109&jump_to="></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fvancouveropera%2Fsets%2F72157625144177109%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fvancouveropera%2Fsets%2F72157625144177109%2F&set_id=72157625144177109&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="400" height="300"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fvancouveropera%2Fsets%2F72157625096882159%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fvancouveropera%2Fsets%2F72157625096882159%2F&set_id=72157625096882159&jump_to="></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fvancouveropera%2Fsets%2F72157625096882159%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fvancouveropera%2Fsets%2F72157625096882159%2F&set_id=72157625096882159&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br /><br />Thank you to everyone who came out and made our world premiere such a success! We couldn't have done it without you!<br /><br /><em>~ Ling Chan, Social Media Manager</em>Vancouver Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140552082226097614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644210157495022954.post-30788149927338016532010-10-21T15:47:00.000-07:002010-11-15T16:04:22.905-08:00Giving You More Access<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvaQwn2PSDeIkY2UnQwWVuGp41saJgIMJutJWi4E3d3wYllWy0gPLHXjO0dE0JduUMD4d-JkghfLTJGiX_U_Zv0uUJ-eNBIgtQ4gHO5UWH1eD-Q98pdrk_ulQ-z9rk0zdoh5cE_yyoio/s1600/LA+QR+QET.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvaQwn2PSDeIkY2UnQwWVuGp41saJgIMJutJWi4E3d3wYllWy0gPLHXjO0dE0JduUMD4d-JkghfLTJGiX_U_Zv0uUJ-eNBIgtQ4gHO5UWH1eD-Q98pdrk_ulQ-z9rk0zdoh5cE_yyoio/s400/LA+QR+QET.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530635748109550786" /></a><br />When you come to <a href="http://www.vancouveropera.ca/lillian_alling.html">Lillian Alling</a>, you may notice a sign in the theatre lobby with 4 QR codes. You may also come across these codes while at your seat, flipping through the house program. <br /><br />So what's behind these 4 QR codes? <br /><br />Once scanned with a Smartphone, theatre patrons would be directed to personal video messages from General Director James W. Wright, <a href="http://www.vancouveropera.ca/lillian_alling.html">Lillian Alling</a> librettist John Murrell, composer John Estacio, Director of Production Terry Harper and soprano Frédérique Vézina.<br /><br />For those who don't have Smartphones, here are the videos:<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yiy1BzwYYvQ?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yiy1BzwYYvQ?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eGL3XogV4aU?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eGL3XogV4aU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/u0lulAlk0hA?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/u0lulAlk0hA?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/L-fRTMTlwgg?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/L-fRTMTlwgg?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />Kinda like easter eggs in a DVD, but not quite so hidden, we hope these small features help enhance your experience at the opera.<br /><br /><em>~ Ling Chan, Social Media Manager</em>Vancouver Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140552082226097614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644210157495022954.post-9350638775614450052010-10-21T13:56:00.000-07:002010-11-15T16:05:51.319-08:00Lillian Alling Set Up In Time LapseHere's a neat little time-lapse video of the technical set up for <a href="http://www.vancouveropera.ca/lillian_alling.html">Lillian Alling</a>.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7Xs6wu-Ma2Y?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7Xs6wu-Ma2Y?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><em>Video credit: Tom Wright, Director of Artistic Planning</em><br /><br />Shot during tech week down at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, you can see the staging of props, the different visual projections, the blocking of lights and all the general craziness involved in bringing an opera to the stage.<br /><br /><em>~ Ling Chan, Social Media Manager</em>Vancouver Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140552082226097614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644210157495022954.post-53706083377179516622010-10-21T11:37:00.000-07:002010-11-15T16:06:57.028-08:00Lillian Alling: Final Thoughts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5NYLxKssB8ctdfIyLMBeZq_cecfxOYhIBkVKFyh1KUQ84C-o3RurvJENWxJZ7XYBDC-u70BoImaz08O66nZwSm2TJirvZkUoYK3niaqWTJyCXs8Dmy0gawiBEzV3GEVsM-J54M1sqEQ/s1600/LA+blogger+night+at+the+opera.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5NYLxKssB8ctdfIyLMBeZq_cecfxOYhIBkVKFyh1KUQ84C-o3RurvJENWxJZ7XYBDC-u70BoImaz08O66nZwSm2TJirvZkUoYK3niaqWTJyCXs8Dmy0gawiBEzV3GEVsM-J54M1sqEQ/s400/LA+blogger+night+at+the+opera.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530594704129916674" /></a><br /><em>From left: Miranda Lievers, Frances Sprout, Stacey Robinsmith, Nik Belonio</em><br /><br />A big thank you to our Bloggers who joined us for the Lillian Alling <a href="http://vancouveropera.blogspot.com/2010/10/world-premiere-blogger-night.html">Blogger Night at the Opera</a>. We were delighted to have you at our world premiere. Thank you for helping us to kick-start the 2010-2011 season in a big way. <br /><br />So did our bloggers have a good time at <a href="http://www.vancouveropera.ca/lillian_alling.html">Lillian Alling</a>?<br /><br /><em>This opera, more than any other opera, perhaps because it is the world premiere, but this opera, had me literally on the edge of my seat right until the curtain dropped for the final time.</em> - <a href="http://staceyrobinsmith.com/?p=1438">Stacey Robinsmith</a><br /><br />To read more on Stacey's thoughts, click <a href="http://staceyrobinsmith.com/?p=1433">here</a> and <a href="http://staceyrobinsmith.com/?p=1422">here</a>.<br /><br /><em>All the singers were great. They sung to the top of their game. The highest highs and the lowest lows. Judith Forst is an older woman with a voice as strong as a young woman's. Her character, Irene's, story is achingly told through her eyes. And Frederique Vezina is a young woman from Montreal. She gave me chills with her high on pitch voice. Aaron St. Clair Nicholson did a wonderful job as Scotty. He was believable and touching. And Irene's son, Jimmy, played by Roger Honeywell, was a good counterpart to irene. A loud and barreling voice.</em> - <a href="http://nikjillb.blogspot.com/2010/10/post-post-opera.html">Nik Belonio</a><br /><br />To read more on Nik's thoughts, click <a href="http://nikjillb.blogspot.com/2010/10/post-post-opera.html">here</a>.<br /><br /><em>Lillian Alling is a true Canadian production – commissioned by the Vancouver Opera and produced in conjunction with the Banff Centre, Lillian Alling is a show that takes place across North America. Not to be shy with their world premiere, the Vancouver Opera has pulled all stops to produce a contemporary opera that is both artistically and technically breathtaking.</em> - <a href="http://www.blueolivephotography.com/blog/vancouver-opera/">Miranda Lievers</a><br /><br /><em>Wow! That was so stirring, not only the opera with its powerful music or the encompassing scenery, the huge visuals, the love stories and the mysteries revealed, but simply the notion that an opera can be made with the place names I know so well. I love imagining this opera being performed in other cities worldwide -- and Stanley Park and Telegraph Creek, the Skeena River and the Vancouver lights sung into that larger panorama.</em> - <a href="http://materfamiliasknits.blogspot.com/2010/10/lillians-journey-is-over-for-tonight.html">Frances Sprout</a><br /><br />To read more on Frances' thoughts, click <a href="http://materfamiliasknits.blogspot.com/2010/10/opera-backstage-lobby-and-what-i-wore.html">here</a> and <a href="http://materfamiliasknits.blogspot.com/2010/10/voa-provided-photographs-of-stunning.html">here</a>.<br /><br />What a great start to the brand new season! We look forward to welcoming back our bloggers for the upcoming <a href="http://vancouveropera.ca/lucia_di_lammermoor.html">Lucia di Lammermoor</a>. Stay tuned!<br /><br /><em>~ Ling Chan, Social Media Manager</em>Vancouver Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140552082226097614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644210157495022954.post-73802070572434283772010-10-20T15:58:00.000-07:002010-11-15T15:58:20.967-08:00Have You Checked Our QR Code Today?Scan our QR code with your Smartphone for a <a href="http://vancouveropera.ca/lillian_alling.html">Lillian Alling</a> surprise.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOBcm4suLhHFvcxwH3ePvpHCbYqoZddvlE778w9fR_bV-tibKr8mW1jcUQBwqhbLpOOmn6_fDavVXJ_bcV7O9UCoWhhJ6A7BpceVB_0fUs2QKEZKm83jEu5lSDWwEtSX2vjh4ZPrVZVg/s1600/where+is+lillian.png"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOBcm4suLhHFvcxwH3ePvpHCbYqoZddvlE778w9fR_bV-tibKr8mW1jcUQBwqhbLpOOmn6_fDavVXJ_bcV7O9UCoWhhJ6A7BpceVB_0fUs2QKEZKm83jEu5lSDWwEtSX2vjh4ZPrVZVg/s400/where+is+lillian.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525877453897435186" /></a><br /><br />You may need to download a reader for your Smartphone, so click to get your free app from <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/neoreader/id284973754?mt=8">Neo</a> or <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/mobio/id325695690?mt=8">Mobio</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">~ Ling Chan, Social Media Manager</span>Vancouver Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140552082226097614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644210157495022954.post-60693562365459776402010-10-20T14:58:00.000-07:002010-11-15T15:59:29.924-08:00An Ambitious World Premiere At Vancouver Opera<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdh_BSCUh3wY9tzaROBkZjjS9z2oVyU8wpdLKkhgMGa0RWisxV0KQYJdum6WQ4kRldR6Nwr6XY1mYlSJOpdsv6-iMV5jOTan6C8QDxuRzs_wiPZdGy8hmrycITaI33UtJ5H5DZnE1VAE/s1600/vezina+st+clair+nicholson.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 289px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdh_BSCUh3wY9tzaROBkZjjS9z2oVyU8wpdLKkhgMGa0RWisxV0KQYJdum6WQ4kRldR6Nwr6XY1mYlSJOpdsv6-iMV5jOTan6C8QDxuRzs_wiPZdGy8hmrycITaI33UtJ5H5DZnE1VAE/s400/vezina+st+clair+nicholson.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530203941599231490" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Frédérique Vézina infuses the title role with an intriguing restlessness and confidently follows its varied emotional contours. She has the stamina needed for the sudden upswell of dramatic soprano writing in Lillian’s climactic act-two confession. Aaron St. Clair Nicholson’s mellifluous baritone blends bluster, tenderness, and devotion in his moving portrayal of Scotty, the link between the two stories. Among the other principals, tenor Colin Ainsworth stands out in his memorable cameo as the young Norwegian Kristian who is fired by Lillian’s adventurous example.<br /><br />The most memorable performance comes from the venerable Judith Forst as the spirited but pained Irene. Hers is a tour de force of dramatic singing, finding nuance in the most offbeat phrase. As her son, Roger Honeywell is given far less musical characterization and is mostly a reactive character, but he invests the stirring quartet of disclosure in the final act with throbbing emotional honesty.</span><br /><br />To read more from Crosscut, click <a href="http://crosscut.com/2010/10/20/arts/20269/An-ambitious-world-premiere-at-Vancouver-Opera/?pagejump=1">here</a>.Vancouver Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140552082226097614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644210157495022954.post-88960656061496099222010-10-20T11:00:00.000-07:002010-11-15T16:01:02.429-08:00Introducing the Lillian Alling AvatarWhen I was approached by Vancouver Opera to write a series of travel blogs in the voice of Lillian Alling, my first task was to learn as much as I could about the “Mystery Woman” of the Telegraph Trail. Like many before me, I was intrigued by the enigma of this legendary young woman who – for reasons that continue to mystify – traveled across North America from Manhattan to Dawson City largely on foot, by some reports reaching Siberia.<br /><br />It turns out that very little, in fact, is known about Lillian. What is known is full of hearsay and contradictions. I read Cassandra Pybus’ book, <em>The Woman Who Walked to Russia</em>, an account of the author’s pilgrimage retracing Lillian’s steps through the British Columbian wilderness. I enjoyed the creative license Amy Bloom took with Lillian’s story in her novel, <em>Away</em>. But my assignment was to get inside the head of one particular Lillian, the Lillian imagined by John Estacio and John Murrell in creating the music and libretto for their opera, <a href="http://vancouveropera.ca/lillian_alling.html">Lillian Alling</a>.<br /><br />This Lillian is feisty, obsessive and fiercely independent, driven by a purpose that at first seems girlishly romantic, but is gradually revealed to be anything but. This Lillian is multi-layered and full of secrets, unsophisticated in some respects, but astute, intelligent and fearless as she encounters individuals and challenges along her route that both help and hinder her quest. This Lillian’s personality and perspective are informed equally by the traumas she left behind in Europe and the surprises, good and bad, in store for her in the New World. <br /><br />In writing Lillian’s travel blogs, it was my turn to imagine what she experienced journeying from New York City to Telegraph Creek, from the United States into Canada, from the suffocating crush of steerage as she crossed the Atlantic, to the startling ruggedness of the BC wilderness – and every point in between.<br /> <br />Nowhere are those experiences more compelling – and better documented – than along British Columbia’s Telegraph Trail. I was fascinated to learn the history of the trail and about the linemen stationed in nine cabins along the telegraph line, between Hazelton and Telegraph Creek. It was these linemen who first brought the real Lillian Alling’s story to light as she stumbled out of the woods one day, exhausted and her clothing in tatters, at Cabin One. In real life, the linemen assisted Lillian on her northward path, telegraphing ahead to alert the next man to watch out for her, and sometimes even escorting her on part of her journey. This is where the legend of Lillian was born.<br /><br />However obscure the reasons for real Lillian’s trek might be, our Lillian’s reasons are as dramatic and gripping as they come. Putting myself in our Lillian’s well-worn shoes, I tried to feel her blisters and her weariness, to experience her fear and urgency, to imagine her exhilarating rush of freedom as a young woman walking, hitch-hiking and hopping boxcars across a continent, and to share her wonder at the breadth and variety of the landscapes she travels through.<br /><br />I look forward with great pleasure to experiencing Lillian’s odyssey once again, on stage at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. <br /><br /><em>~ Elizabeth Stewart</em>Vancouver Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140552082226097614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644210157495022954.post-64772003600027432132010-10-20T08:00:00.000-07:002010-10-20T08:00:08.150-07:00Lillian Alling: The Real Lillian (part 6)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7CRz-GV-m37V9yHr5o8dY2e2bWIBf1W8nWyUgTZ3Yl7Yg_4MZgmLN4x1TFSggYyrMeLtVvG13-lFDB-vlOhW9auzF9wmIGqNivMhO5C4X-HT-qBbasL5y7f5enipPwpAGnsknYuS1Eoi/s1600/51G16DWH17L__SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7CRz-GV-m37V9yHr5o8dY2e2bWIBf1W8nWyUgTZ3Yl7Yg_4MZgmLN4x1TFSggYyrMeLtVvG13-lFDB-vlOhW9auzF9wmIGqNivMhO5C4X-HT-qBbasL5y7f5enipPwpAGnsknYuS1Eoi/s200/51G16DWH17L__SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491255243627676610" /></a><em>Excerpted with permission from:<br /><br />Wild West Women: Travellers, Adventurers and Rebels<br />Written by Rosemary Neering<br />Published by Whitecap Books Ltd.</em><br /><br /><strong>THE MOST DETERMINED PERSON I'D EVER MET: Women Not to Be Deterred</strong><br />Part 6 (final)<br /><br />What happened to her after that is a matter of conjecture, based on flimsy pieces of conflicting hearsay evidence. Lillian Alling's story quickly became a northern legend, with different versions of the end of her story sworn to by those who said they had met her along the way, or had met someone who had met her, or seen her, or heard of her fate. <br /><br />One version suggested that she had not gone north at all. A policeman who had met her on her journey said he had received a letter from her, saying she had gone to Telegraph Creek to find her Russian sweetheart. On finding he had departed, she married another man. But there is too much evidence that she did indeed go north; the policeman must have confused her with someone else. Some versions report that she had the stuffed hide of the dog that had been poisoned with her all the way, perhaps at the top of her backpack, perhaps in the cart she was said at one point to have trundled behind her. But her ability to preserve a decaying hide while persisting on her way north must be doubted. Some say that an Inuit man saw her footprints at the edge of a river near the Bering Sea and that she must undoubtedly have drowned there. Others say she found someone to take her across the Bering Sea by boat, then disappeared into Siberia. <br /><br />We want a happy ending for Lillian Alling. A California man, who visited Siberia in 1965, wrote to a magazine to say he thought he had found one. While in Siberia, he had spoken with a friend there. The friend said that, as a boy of fourteen or fifteen, he lived on the Siberian shore of the Bering Strait. He saw a woman and three Inuit men whom he recognized as being from the Diomede Islands in the strait arrive on the waterfront. The woman said she had come from America, where she had been unable to find friends or make a living. She had decided to walk home to Russia and had done so. On her route, she said, no one had lifted as much as a finger to help her in any way. If this was indeed Lillian Alling, her comments would surely have come as a great disappointment to the many people who had helped her on her journey. <br /><br />The letter writer said his friend told him all this had happened in the fall of 1930. But neither he nor anyone else living knows for certain how Lillian Alling's odyssey ended.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644210157495022954.post-83793105367727239012010-10-18T11:22:00.000-07:002010-10-19T11:22:16.563-07:00In The Dark Of The TheatreThe things people do in the dark of a theatre.<br /><br />Some people sit riveted and try to taking in everything that is happening on stage. Others glance upwards and down as they read the surtitles. And others may close their eyes and simply let the music and singing overtake them. <br /><br />Not artist Val Nelson.<br /><br />Val draws the opera when the lights go down. Ever so discretely and imperceptibly that her fellow seatmates do not even know this was happening. Val first came to our attention when she drew at <a href="http://vancouveropera.blogspot.com/2010/06/draw-of-opera.html">Madama Butterfly</a> last season.<br /><br />On opening night, she was once again armed with her drawing pen to help us record the world premiere of <a href="http://www.vancouveropera.ca/lillian_alling.html">Lillian Alling</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuf5UN2IDCea9fNKlx3Pf_ToDzl_iaNIioyJIJeXsybbjAy-09JocTHhCRHjl1g46Q4LEos9_xud6ImheeMr4Y16CKJIALTsNLDAeEGeZs_IATaycj_J7XdWqa7CrYAzfH0V74DANI7W0/s1600/LillianAllingAct1_web.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuf5UN2IDCea9fNKlx3Pf_ToDzl_iaNIioyJIJeXsybbjAy-09JocTHhCRHjl1g46Q4LEos9_xud6ImheeMr4Y16CKJIALTsNLDAeEGeZs_IATaycj_J7XdWqa7CrYAzfH0V74DANI7W0/s400/LillianAllingAct1_web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529531985143859154" /></a><br /><em>Act I</em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBS6KM6zOnm2nRZ1ihVO2BMong33KoGnZ2hgjeat1cUeS0xnuDjIkYCJawQuA2wFoUA2wFhSI7i7tsQGsIUTZTIOIkI-r8n6I3zPqNpsgcigN7cgPOrvJgVs-5G0bvfLzdh1WcEXSamc/s1600/LillianAllingAct2_web.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBS6KM6zOnm2nRZ1ihVO2BMong33KoGnZ2hgjeat1cUeS0xnuDjIkYCJawQuA2wFoUA2wFhSI7i7tsQGsIUTZTIOIkI-r8n6I3zPqNpsgcigN7cgPOrvJgVs-5G0bvfLzdh1WcEXSamc/s400/LillianAllingAct2_web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529532249890605954" /></a><br /><em>Act II</em><br /><br />If you were at opening night, you may even recognize in the drawings the scenes depicted in each act. If you're coming tomorrow, Thursday or Saturday, we won't ruin it for you.<br /><br />Thanks Val for sharing your wonderful drawings!<br /><br /><em>~ Ling Chan, Social Media Manager</em>Vancouver Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140552082226097614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644210157495022954.post-35223062712836084662010-10-18T11:19:00.000-07:002010-10-19T11:19:48.091-07:00Risky Business<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQV09VLNLL1zU6MFK2bZcvnZfMxwQVzWkvChbAgkYNBaU1bm-Xx9pozIbyPaX7Vmtcrtf5veuKPXEPDVN8y6r1FJnakGpt_Kf9MYbHDZIsRF_e_L8osWFqhuWE8WaHVHUyfmS8RPWx80/s1600/frederique+as+lillian.bmp"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 284px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQV09VLNLL1zU6MFK2bZcvnZfMxwQVzWkvChbAgkYNBaU1bm-Xx9pozIbyPaX7Vmtcrtf5veuKPXEPDVN8y6r1FJnakGpt_Kf9MYbHDZIsRF_e_L8osWFqhuWE8WaHVHUyfmS8RPWx80/s400/frederique+as+lillian.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529474300195758930" /></a><br /><em>Photo credit: Tim Matheson</em><br /><br /><em>"...Lillian Alling is an exciting, brave production deserving a wide audience and international exposure; as with Nixon in China, this is a modern opera which connects us with people we know, who have lived extraordinary lives. Both its story and its world premiere production make history, and this is one opera not to be missed."</em><br /><br />To read more from Coastline Journal, click <a href="http://coastlinejournal.com/2010/10/18/risky-business/">here</a>.Vancouver Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140552082226097614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644210157495022954.post-72079667796961261182010-10-18T11:17:00.000-07:002010-10-19T11:18:02.174-07:00The World Premiere Of John Estacio And John Murrell’s Lillian Alling<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQTemmc7dWEJoCwaZbF1OmqTbgyGLSmPH7ZokmCDjZE-8vEDfpeATt3yoExaPAnNXrdgdqbj3bBKQ1Ypnup8TX7imQhu_Q-4_E2I26t6FwSrPTxQrNLTGBFrbnkbr_V5nv-9g7mIc60Q/s1600/lillian+and+scotty.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQTemmc7dWEJoCwaZbF1OmqTbgyGLSmPH7ZokmCDjZE-8vEDfpeATt3yoExaPAnNXrdgdqbj3bBKQ1Ypnup8TX7imQhu_Q-4_E2I26t6FwSrPTxQrNLTGBFrbnkbr_V5nv-9g7mIc60Q/s400/lillian+and+scotty.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529468757242502434" /></a><br /><em>Photo credit: Tim Matheson</em><br /><br /><em>Some of the evening's most exciting singing came from baritone Aaron St.Clair Nicholson as the infatuated suitor, Scotty. Blessed with such a handsome voice, Nicholson was outstanding in every way, conveying the impulsion of a man in pursuit of a cause in his solo aria (in the Stanley Park scene) As one, Lillian Alling, as one.</em><br /><br />To read more from Review Vancouver, click <a href="http://www.reviewvancouver.org/op_lillian_alling2010.htm">here</a>.Vancouver Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140552082226097614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644210157495022954.post-73400461352655721932010-10-18T11:16:00.000-07:002010-10-19T11:18:29.342-07:00The Reviews Are In. Lillian Alling Is A Triumph!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Pso69q85JGglFg1YQRsxmkhuNVhjc8DfiKnodc115HvprvNm4F7ePOKmeoyOqubxOP4DImYWbjNaUlqKvtMgtkrb4-_HLDZo_qL9sLosedQDOSqZG3_Q5CnIm7hOK71ALMEIyo8wDek/s1600/lil2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Pso69q85JGglFg1YQRsxmkhuNVhjc8DfiKnodc115HvprvNm4F7ePOKmeoyOqubxOP4DImYWbjNaUlqKvtMgtkrb4-_HLDZo_qL9sLosedQDOSqZG3_Q5CnIm7hOK71ALMEIyo8wDek/s400/lil2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529456673141239826" /></a><br /><em>Photo credit: Tim Matheson</em><br /><br />"There is something inherently optimistic about this music”… "Engaging, accessible, touching and well crafted" – Elissa Poole, Globe and Mail<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/music/reimagined-journey-of-an-enigmatic-woman-makes-for-engaging-opera/article1760781/">Read the review</a><br /><br />"An enchanting show"… "a visual delight”… "The conspicuous success of Lillian Alling — beyond its intrinsic musical and theatrical worth — is to demonstrate that contemporary opera is alive and thriving at Vancouver Opera." – David Gordon Duke, Vancouver Sun<br /><br /><a href="http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Vancouver+Opera+Lillian+Alling+conspicuous+success/3684871/story.html">Read the review</a><br /><br />“[Frédérique Vézina has] a voice as rich and warm as the smell of freshly cut cedar”... “[Judith] Forst is... a fiery standout”...<br /><br />“Vancouver Opera and the Banff Centre (VO’s co-producer on the project) have spared no expense on the production design, which looks consistently handsome.” – Janet Smith, The Georgia Straight<br /><br /><a href="http://www.straight.com/article-353328/vancouver/vancouver-operas-lillian-alling-takes-art-form-rugged-new-realms">Read the review</a><br /><br /><strong>HURRY! ONLY 3 MORE PERFORMANCES!</strong><br /> <br />Experience the thrill and beauty of this WORLD PREMIERE opera. There are good seats available for all remaining shows.<br /><br />Call the VO Ticket Centre at 604.683.0222 or click <a href="http://tickets.vancouveropera.ca/">here</a> to purchase tickets online.Vancouver Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140552082226097614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644210157495022954.post-32736483047389868292010-10-17T11:15:00.000-07:002010-10-19T11:15:59.160-07:00Vancouver Opera's Lillian Alling A Conspicuous Success<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjT3lpzIepBGAHiH-9Ruk1zVXg-jf510IRFfGz6sBlRrHGBo5SYO_SZsdXew17Ab7bFHDIHfBIGKDgy958bvuap83HWw17G6Rb_QF6wQYa-NbHmRTK9hmfJzAR3FBCWdvJtfOQ7_CsQY/s1600/lillian+alling+vezina.jpeg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjT3lpzIepBGAHiH-9Ruk1zVXg-jf510IRFfGz6sBlRrHGBo5SYO_SZsdXew17Ab7bFHDIHfBIGKDgy958bvuap83HWw17G6Rb_QF6wQYa-NbHmRTK9hmfJzAR3FBCWdvJtfOQ7_CsQY/s400/lillian+alling+vezina.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529114321465812482" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Photo credit: Tim Matheson</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Composer Estacio has crafted a solid, sturdy score of unusual tightness: there isn’t a false step in nearly three hours of music. In the first act, the “road opera” conceit tracing Lillian’s cross-continent trek gives a rich complement of charming segments such as a New York street scene (complete with references to '20s pop idioms), a lovely aria for tenor Colin Ainsworth (a male equivalent of Carlisle Floyd’s “Ain’t it A Pretty Night” perhaps?), and a nice “meet cute” for Lillian and her would-be suitor, Scotty MacDonald, sung with easy assurance by baritone Aaron St. Clair Nicholson.</span><br /><br />To read more from Vancouver Sun's David Gordon Duke, click <a href="http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Vancouver+Opera+Lillian+Alling+conspicuous+success/3684871/story.html">here</a>.Vancouver Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140552082226097614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644210157495022954.post-7729796243319982152010-10-17T11:14:00.000-07:002010-10-19T11:14:59.850-07:00Vancouver Opera's Lillian Alling Takes The Art Form To Rugged New Realms<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXW30jwhBq-C_CbnAg8q33B0G-mUhD20Xrk3jbI-NFJtRUp_AGlLv7kwLdB8Id9zl9N68JLxJu0nVFocDZAl9P0ikml_-0gsa7IZYklW7pL6X-YC88BJ5IWXPbXrIWnIICJCEAo4Oaxg/s1600/VO+Roger+Honeywell+and+Judith+Forst+2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXW30jwhBq-C_CbnAg8q33B0G-mUhD20Xrk3jbI-NFJtRUp_AGlLv7kwLdB8Id9zl9N68JLxJu0nVFocDZAl9P0ikml_-0gsa7IZYklW7pL6X-YC88BJ5IWXPbXrIWnIICJCEAo4Oaxg/s400/VO+Roger+Honeywell+and+Judith+Forst+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529111707944111906" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Photo credit: Tim Matheson</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">With a voice as rich and warm as the smell of freshly cut cedar, soprano soprano Frédérique Véniza successfully makes the journey from wide-eyed new immigrant to strong woman on a mission. She really hits her stride in Act 2, with some deeply shaded, anguished solos.<br /><br />Forst is also a fiery standout as Irene, the old woman who recounts Alling’s story as her son Jimmy (Roger Honeywell) drives her from her beloved cabin in the Interior into Vancouver to a rest home—“a cage in the city”, as she laments. Elsewhere, tenor Colin Ainsworth has a charming solo as a farm boy longing to leave his small town; Aaron St. Clair Nicholson is a charismatic Scotty, the telegraph man who falls for Lillian later in the opera; and tenor Honeywell brings humour and warmth to Jimmy.</span><br /><br />For more from the Georgia Straight, click <a href="http://www.straight.com/article-353328/vancouver/vancouver-operas-lillian-alling-takes-art-form-rugged-new-realms">here</a>.Vancouver Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140552082226097614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644210157495022954.post-49186234290314593982010-10-17T11:13:00.000-07:002010-10-19T11:13:53.283-07:00Reimagined Journey Of An Enigmatic Woman Makes For Engaging Opera<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Lz-oZUPP0GgHN1969NSsw1KTPU8pLiSED8PuH8nHblaxa5DutOnKi7I-LzZGxjiahM0M11y1dceEZ5qOuBSbCBaE8NFbvqaEnPTO1jucHUZokQtTPabfKVGP1Y1JeopTJMl6VPoVNE4/s1600/Lillian_Alling.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Lz-oZUPP0GgHN1969NSsw1KTPU8pLiSED8PuH8nHblaxa5DutOnKi7I-LzZGxjiahM0M11y1dceEZ5qOuBSbCBaE8NFbvqaEnPTO1jucHUZokQtTPabfKVGP1Y1JeopTJMl6VPoVNE4/s400/Lillian_Alling.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529108904532791682" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Photo credit: Tim Matheson</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">There is something inherently optimistic about this music, especially in the confident reach of Estacio’s vocal writing: big intervals anchored on triads, an old-fashioned, romantic rhetoric, echoes that range from Tchaikovsky to Bernstein, and mellifluous lines that flatter the singers.<br /><br />In return, the singers flatter Lillian Alling. Soprano Frédérique Vézina was superb in the title role, projecting both strength and mystique in her singing (though somewhat more coquettish in gesture than the character suggests).<br /><br />Mezzo-soprano Judith Forst was, as ever, emotionally arresting, her performance one long, gradual deepening of Irene’s character.</span><br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/music/reimagined-journey-of-an-enigmatic-woman-makes-for-engaging-opera/article1760781/">here</a> to read more from the Globe & Mail.Vancouver Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140552082226097614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644210157495022954.post-53582227472362923642010-10-17T11:11:00.000-07:002010-10-19T11:12:12.245-07:00Video: Vancouver Opera Presents Lillian Alling<iframe src="http://www.vancouversun.com/multimedia/video/embedded.html?v=5H2buoemCrBaFgWXqayaDjN2OgCu93HS&z=/story&s=vancouversun.com&sa=canvancouver&WIDTH=311&HEIGHT=300" width="311" height="300" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0"></iframe><br /><br />A preview of Vancouver Opera's presentation of <a href="vancouveropera.ca/lillian_alling.html">Lilian Alling</a>,<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.vancouversun.com/Video%20Vancouver%20Opera%20presents%20Lilian%20Alling/3683648/story.html">here</a> to see the Vancouver Sun video in full size.Vancouver Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140552082226097614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644210157495022954.post-85416443374271230722010-10-17T08:00:00.000-07:002010-10-17T08:00:04.087-07:00Lillian Alling: The Real Lillian (part 5)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7CRz-GV-m37V9yHr5o8dY2e2bWIBf1W8nWyUgTZ3Yl7Yg_4MZgmLN4x1TFSggYyrMeLtVvG13-lFDB-vlOhW9auzF9wmIGqNivMhO5C4X-HT-qBbasL5y7f5enipPwpAGnsknYuS1Eoi/s1600/51G16DWH17L__SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7CRz-GV-m37V9yHr5o8dY2e2bWIBf1W8nWyUgTZ3Yl7Yg_4MZgmLN4x1TFSggYyrMeLtVvG13-lFDB-vlOhW9auzF9wmIGqNivMhO5C4X-HT-qBbasL5y7f5enipPwpAGnsknYuS1Eoi/s200/51G16DWH17L__SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491255243627676610" /></a><em>Excerpted with permission from:<br /><br />Wild West Women: Travellers, Adventurers and Rebels<br />Written by Rosemary Neering<br />Published by Whitecap Books Ltd.</em><br /><br /><strong>THE MOST DETERMINED PERSON I'D EVER MET: Women Not to Be Deterred</strong><br />Part 5<br /><br />The knowledge that death came easily in the north had no more impact on Alling than all the warnings of those who had tried to dissuade her. She was walking to Russia. She would continue unless her own death intervened. Her determination – and her refusal to understand the possible problems – so impressed one of the linesmen that he gave her his black and white husky dog, Bruno, to provide company and to carry her pack. But, insisted the linesman, she must not let Bruno run free near the Iskut River, where poison traps were set for wolverine. It is thought that the dog must have eluded her, for another linesman saw it die near the river. <br /><br />Alling continued on from Iskut, arriving in Atlin in August, where she bought a pair of shoes so she could walk ever farther northward. At Tagish, in the Yukon, a local resident took her across the river in a boat. At Carcross, she had a meal in a hotel. North of Carcross, a local couple overtook her on the road, and offered her a ride in their car. She rode with them as far as they were going, then resumed her lonely travels. On the last day of August, the Whitehorse Star announced that "a woman giving the name of Lillian Alling walked into town Monday evening and registered at the Regina Hotel. Lillian was not given much to speaking but as near as can be gathered from information she gave at different places she had walked from Hazelton to Whitehorse."<br /><br />The newspaper named her the Mystery Woman, and tracked her further progress. She had, said one of the stories, left Whitehorse carrying a loaf of bread as her only food. As she journeyed on, various locals ferried her across the rivers that barred her way. On one occasion, she stayed through a bad storm with a survey party, then continued on down the Yukon River in a small boat. On October 5, she reached Dawson City, some 5,000 miles (8000 kilometres) from her starting point a year and a half earlier in New York. She stayed there for the winter, working as a waitress and repairing the boat she had bought for her continued journey down the Yukon. When the ice broke up in the spring, she followed the river towards the Bering Sea, steering her small craft through the last remaining floating ice. <br /><br /><br />Photo: Lillian Alling with Bruno, 1928. Courtesy of the Atlin Historical SocietyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644210157495022954.post-9799339958685464822010-10-16T13:03:00.002-07:002010-10-16T13:04:11.409-07:00Forst In The Wilderness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPTNYWdzN1b7Y1kvLXwPoV-9BG_n9tdCjqKyspI2nxq_aIHQPeK7en75nbqo25BIOnWTxKgV-bufRQ6E7TDiomPPcc6DdwdTqaUVSiFrAhU0jjbafU4nuwdheBoEdhjyRmarpa3g5o1g/s1600/honeywell+forst.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPTNYWdzN1b7Y1kvLXwPoV-9BG_n9tdCjqKyspI2nxq_aIHQPeK7en75nbqo25BIOnWTxKgV-bufRQ6E7TDiomPPcc6DdwdTqaUVSiFrAhU0jjbafU4nuwdheBoEdhjyRmarpa3g5o1g/s400/honeywell+forst.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528736868723004034" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"> The renowned mezzo-soprano was a regular at New York's Metropolitan Opera, received the Order of Canada and Order of British Columbia and appeared in dozens of operatic productions worldwide.<br /><br />At 67, she shows no signs of slowing. <br /><br />Forst is starring in the Vancouver Opera’s world premiere of Lillian Alling, the opening production for the company’s 51st season. <br /><br />“It’s a new production, new music, new words – everything,” she said. “It’s very exciting when you start from scratch. There are no footprints ahead of us.” </span><br /><br />To read the interview with Judith Forst in 24hrs, click <a href="http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/PDF/2007/10/10/daily1015web.pdf">here</a>.Vancouver Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140552082226097614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644210157495022954.post-71332161761244507882010-10-16T13:03:00.001-07:002010-10-16T13:03:42.161-07:00A Journey Of Operatic Proportions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZRXIingWd6nfBf5m3xrbPlmAWkezcodYgS-Is2OTF9mfgUNbojDUzOKDypoHrQgpG9jVRMemnPdQgM1-A9PPJh2WArr-JIYqRm9Qau7s7sPebVomS5VmJss68xouUE2tw93YNbztS9Y/s1600/alling-setup16rv_945055gm-t.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZRXIingWd6nfBf5m3xrbPlmAWkezcodYgS-Is2OTF9mfgUNbojDUzOKDypoHrQgpG9jVRMemnPdQgM1-A9PPJh2WArr-JIYqRm9Qau7s7sPebVomS5VmJss68xouUE2tw93YNbztS9Y/s400/alling-setup16rv_945055gm-t.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528730885486890066" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The production itself promises to be just as grand. Featuring some of Canada’s top opera talent – including mezzo-soprano Judith Forst, Quebec soprano Frédérique Vézina, and Toronto tenor Roger Honeywell – as well as the 60-piece Vancouver Opera Orchestra and a 40-person chorus, the piece not only travels great distances thematically, it also touches on the myriad musical styles that Ms. Alling would have encountered on her journey.</span><br /><br />To read more from the Globe and Mail, click <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/a-journey-of-operatic-proportions/article1759659/">here</a>.Vancouver Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140552082226097614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644210157495022954.post-50083126591970575462010-10-15T22:20:00.002-07:002010-10-15T22:46:59.648-07:00Lillian Alling: The TrailerYour first look at the world premiere of <a href="http://www.vancouveropera.ca/lillian_alling.html">Lillian Alling</a>!<br /><br />Press play or double-click the video to see it directly on VO's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/vancouveropera">Youtube channel</a>.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="264"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7fabFmJR1Jg?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7fabFmJR1Jg?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="264"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Video credit: Bombshelter Productions</span><br /><br />Eight principal singers, 60 orchestra members, 40 chorus members, 175 costumes and stunning visual projections.<br /><br />Get your tickets today! Call 604.683.0222 or puchase <a href="http://tickets.vancouveropera.ca/">online</a>!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">~ Ling Chan, Social Media Manager</span>Vancouver Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140552082226097614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644210157495022954.post-82096325718998501702010-10-15T22:20:00.001-07:002010-10-15T22:20:32.952-07:00Lillian Alling: Dress RehearsalFor your viewing pleasure, here's some fab shots of last night's dress rehearsal of <a href="http://www.vancouveropera.ca/lillian_alling.html">Lillian Alling</a>. <br /><br /><object width="400" height="300"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fvancouveropera%2Fsets%2F72157625172370408%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fvancouveropera%2Fsets%2F72157625172370408%2F&set_id=72157625172370408&jump_to="></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fvancouveropera%2Fsets%2F72157625172370408%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fvancouveropera%2Fsets%2F72157625172370408%2F&set_id=72157625172370408&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br /><em>Photo credit: Tim Matheson</em><br /><br />More pics to come! <br /><br /><em>~ Ling Chan, Social Media Manager</em>Vancouver Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140552082226097614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644210157495022954.post-82544274556493832232010-10-15T22:19:00.001-07:002010-10-15T22:19:22.075-07:00Lillian Alling: Vancouver Opera’s Mystery Woman<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0KVSWVpMUr4T8246KnsIv0zUWUtWO2_L-2csZUh-x0Ae3cwVPGv7byB0U7EggT6BY-hUV4gaAFhqwJDI6Qlabp3LNDylysgStspOlnc2n4BgJIywCzcQ0wMHeDCK76gR6it6RD-07bs/s1600/Lillian+Alling.bmp"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0KVSWVpMUr4T8246KnsIv0zUWUtWO2_L-2csZUh-x0Ae3cwVPGv7byB0U7EggT6BY-hUV4gaAFhqwJDI6Qlabp3LNDylysgStspOlnc2n4BgJIywCzcQ0wMHeDCK76gR6it6RD-07bs/s400/Lillian+Alling.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528408366594404178" /></a><br /><em>Photo credit: Tim Matheson</em><br /><br /><em>Only bits and pieces about the real Lillian Alling are known: She arrived at New York’s Ellis Island from Eastern Europe; she was reported to be searching for someone; she crossed the continent on foot alone. She was imprisoned for a time in B.C. for vagrancy; some said it was for her own protection. She ultimately disappeared into the north. <br /><br />For Murrell and Estacio, the unanswered questions were part of the story’s attraction. “We spent a lot of time not just digging for research, but digging into our imaginations, trying to come up with a cohesive storyline that preserved her heroism and her mystery and her determination, but also in some ways solved the mystery,” says Murrell.</em><br /><br />To read more from the Globe & Mail, click <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/music/lillian-alling-vancouver-operas-mystery-woman/article1758616/">here</a>.Vancouver Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140552082226097614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644210157495022954.post-41920371465747809102010-10-15T22:18:00.001-07:002010-10-15T22:18:54.635-07:00Extra! Extra! Read All About It!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHiMbgOcXVoGu9xuVbGCse_b-I2_MHEfdupysEXC3mKd_ZbEJPYeYdv3wWKjUVWuiO8bBVf0WPxfEQGTk01MVjkzaKRR-A4Fe2qbFoz29JKbuHSNtnGIRPyMwz1CIarW_zcZG3R7xFLc/s1600/georgia+straight+oct+14.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHiMbgOcXVoGu9xuVbGCse_b-I2_MHEfdupysEXC3mKd_ZbEJPYeYdv3wWKjUVWuiO8bBVf0WPxfEQGTk01MVjkzaKRR-A4Fe2qbFoz29JKbuHSNtnGIRPyMwz1CIarW_zcZG3R7xFLc/s400/georgia+straight+oct+14.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528401766811981810" /></a><br /><br />Vancouver Opera lands the cover of this week's <a href="http://straight.com/">Georgia Straight</a>! Check inside for interviews with <a href="http://www.vancouveropera.ca/lillian_alling.html">Lillian Alling's</a> Frédérique Vézina, librettist John Murrell and director Kelly Robinson.<br /><br />Pick up your copy today!<br /><br /><em>~ Ling Chan, Social Media Manager</em>Vancouver Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140552082226097614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644210157495022954.post-39887883139694604352010-10-15T22:15:00.001-07:002010-10-15T22:15:40.037-07:00Lillian Rehearsal in BanffThe Lillian Alling cast and crew spent weeks rehearsing at the Banff Centre before moving into the Queen Elizabeth Theatre last week. <br /><br />Our Communications Manager, Selina Rajani, flew to Banff to photograph the rehearsal process with singers Judith Forst, Roger Honeywell, Frédérique Vézina, composer John Estacio and director Kelly Robinson.<br /><br />Press play on the slideshow or click <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/vancouveropera/sets/72157625157340264/">here</a> for our Flickr.<br /><br /><object width="400" height="300"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fvancouveropera%2Fsets%2F72157625157340264%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fvancouveropera%2Fsets%2F72157625157340264%2F&set_id=72157625157340264&jump_to="></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fvancouveropera%2Fsets%2F72157625157340264%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fvancouveropera%2Fsets%2F72157625157340264%2F&set_id=72157625157340264&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br /><br /><em>~ Ling Chan, Social Media Manager</em>Vancouver Operahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140552082226097614noreply@blogger.com0