Composer-Librettist Laboratory
For most composers and writers the artistic process is a solitary one. Producers around the world agree that forming workable artistic partnerships between composers and playwrights is the single greatest challenge facing the development of new opera and music theatre. The Composer-Librettist Laboratory is Tapestry’s response to this challenge. Initiated in 1995, the laboratory is an intensive one-week workshop for composers and writers to explore the collaborative process. Currently, the program attracts participants from Canada, the United States, Germany and England. It is also the model for the English National Opera Studio’s All-in Opera, as well as Pacific Opera Victoria’s Composer-Librettist Workshop.
Tapestry’s Composer-Librettist Laboratory provides artists with the opportunity to work with several partners in a short period of time, thereby developing techniques for effective collaboration. Throughout the weeklong program, writers and composers are partnered with one another for one day each. With input from music and stage directors, each pair writes a short piece of music theatre and investigates the collaborative process. Their work is performed at the end of each day by a resident ensemble of singers and répétiteurs, and then constructively critiqued by the group.
PHOTO: Composer Bill Rowson at work during the 2007 LibLab
Since 1995, Tapestry has nurtured over 70 creative artists through this unique program. Previous Composer-Librettist Labs have yielded several strong creative teams who currently have projects in development in the Ernest Balmer Studio, including: Omar Daniel and Alex Poch-Goldin, Juliet Palmer and Julie Salverson, Rose Bolton and Jill Battson, Andrew Staniland and Jill Battson and Aaron Gervais and Colleen Murphy.
Composer Chan Ka Nin and librettist Mark Brownell met at the inaugural 1995 Lib-Lab. Their opera Iron Road had its world premiere in April 2001 at the Elgin Theatre in Toronto. Linda Catlin Smith and Don Hannah also met at the 1995 Lib-Lab and their Arctic drama, Facing South, premiered as part of the World Stage Festival in April of 2003.
James Rolfe and Camyar Chai met at the 2003 Lib-Lab and their new opera Elijah’s Kite, which addresses bullying and children’s relationships, was developed by Tapestry in partnership with the Manhattan School of Music. It had its world premiere in April 2006 in New York City, its Canadian premiere at Rideau Hall in October 2006 and has toured Ontario throughout the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 seasons.
The Composer-Librettist Laboratory is generously supported by the Laidlaw Foundation and Mr. Roger D. Moore. Workshop facilities are donated by Rosedale United Church, Toronto.