Library hosts opera company in Playtime production

Culture comes in all forms and for some people getting access can be a problem. Bringing the musical stylings of opera to Steinbach is the Jake Epp Library, which hosted a production on Saturday by the Manitoba Underground Opera.

“They are performing a show called Playtime. I think that they’ve performed it at other places as well and they’re travelling around and presenting it,” said Courtney Penner, summer programmer for the library.

“It’s important to have this at the library because it is an opportunity for people to come and learn more about the opera and also it’s a free program that they can be involved in on their weekend.”

This is not the first time that Manitoba Underground Opera (MUO) has performed at the library and tour coordinator Mélanie Dupuis said it’s all about introducing the genre to a new generation.

“Our goal with this tour is really to get people to come see opera in a way that isn’t daunting at all. A lot of these children might not have necessarily been introduced to opera at all depending on where they’re from in the province.

“In Winnipeg we’re so lucky to have multiple opera companies but in rural and northern areas they don’t have the luxury of having opera companies so we go to them to share our love of this art form.”

Performing at the library this year is a new opera written by Max Fingerote titled Playtime, which is based on Ravel’s French opera L’enfant et les sortilèges, which translates to The Bewitched Child, an opera about a child who struggles with homework and whose toys come to life to teach him a lesson.

“It’s very much for adults and it’s spooky,” said Dupuis. “We liked the concept and said let’s give this story to Max and see what he can do to make a much more family friendly English version of this opera, and a condensed version as well. This is the first time that we’ve gone to someone and said, “Can you write a text for us?” instead of taking an opera that’s already made for children.”

In the new version, the main character, Anna, who is struggling with her homework and her two moms come together and use her own drawings and own imagination to come up with games that make learning and homework fun.

A small crowd of children and adults came to watch MUO at the library. It was the MUO’s last stop in their 45 venue tour of Manitoba and Ontario.

“It was good. We’ve never been to (an opera) before. It was interesting actually to see. I didn’t expect it was singing all the time so it was interesting to see that and hear the play played out in song. I thought that was pretty cool,” said Jodie Klassen, adding she would like to see another opera but one geared more towards adults.

“I would say just give it a try. I have all boys sometimes we just think nobody wants to hear it or it’s too loud or we won’t understand it, but I think just actually give it a try and give it a listen and the ladies voices were beautiful even just to listen even if you’re not into opera specifically. I think give it a chance.”

MUO began in 2008 when a group of opera students decided to create their own company. Since then, the opera has performed in various venues in Winnipeg including the Winnipeg Art Gallery, the ruins of the St. Boniface Cathedral, and on the Nonsuch at the Manitoba Museum.

“Manitoba Underground Opera (is) an opera company and we like to do opera in a bit more unconventional way and in a way that is more accessible for modern audiences,” said Dupuis.

The Neighbourhood Opera Tour that performs for kids and families started in 2017.

Those wishing to take in a performance by the MUO can buy tickets to its Tales of Hoffmann at Club 200 by visiting manitobaundergroundopera.com/2024-season.