What We Do

Tapestry’s Mission

To engage artists and audiences in the creation, development and performance of new opera.

To be recognized locally, nationally and internationally as:

An innovative company that gives voice to opera as a vehicle for personal and collective discovery;

A leader in the development of talent for the creation of the operatic art form, facilitating successful creative collaborations among writers, composers, directors, performers and designers;

A partner who facilitates collaborative engagement between artists and audiences, producers, and presenters;

A valued arts partner for the corporate business and philanthropic community.

Tapestry’s Artistic Vision

Tapestry is the leading company in Canada dedicated to the development and production of original works of opera and music theatre. Tapestry’s mandate is to foster the growth of new Canadian opera by bringing artists together to create and interpret original work.

Tapestry introduces composers and writers to the essential ingredient for creating successful music theatre: meaningful collaboration. We believe passionately that the work of these artists is worthy of both national and international attention.

Creative matches between writers and composers are made in Tapestry’s annual Composer-Librettist Laboratory (LibLab), an intensive opera “boot camp”. Since 1995, Tapestry has nurtured over 90 creative artists through this unique program and 43 teams have emerged from the lab.

Tapestry’s development process is an illustration of the uniquely collaborative art form that is new opera. Writers and composers, directors and designers, singers and musicians all play a valuable role in the shaping of the new work – both musically and dramatically. Unlike traditional opera, the characters have never before been realized on stage; the notes have never been played or sung. Composers interact with their singers and musicians, actors pose questions to the writers. Both creative and performing artists inspire the best from each other, from the first germ of an idea up to opening night. They are guided through this process by Tapestry’s Managing Artistic Director Wayne Strongman, who has premiered over 30 new works of opera/music theatre by Canadian writers and composers.

Tapestry’s partnerships extend beyond our borders. Our deepening relationship with the Manhattan School of Music bore fruit when Elijah’s Kite, an opera for young people by James Rolfe and Camyar Chai, became one of only a handful of Canadian operas ever to premiere in New York City. In 2009, Tapestry became one of the first recipients of the INCUBATE award at the Toronto Arts Council and 2 composers and 1 writers from the UK (via Scottish Opera’s 5:15 programme) as part of the first International LibLab, with scenes presented at Opera Briefs.

In addition to its support of artists, Tapestry is committed to the development of a new arts audiences. We bring exhilarating works to first-time opera goers and opera enthusiasts alike. Our stories are many and diverse, ranging from the origins of the Canadian Pacific Railway, to, quite literally, the summit of Mount Everest. We believe that the arts can be a part of everyone’s life, providing rich opportunities for learning, understanding, connecting cultures, and through collaboration, provoke the exchange of ideas and promotion of innovation. Tapestry builds bridges: between old and new, artist and audience, and the diverse communities that make up our vibrant and creative Canadian culture.