Since 1979, Tapestry has maintained a strong tradition of fostering original Canadian works of music theatre and new opera.  When you contribute to Tapestry, you join with our exemplary Studio Company of artists and the diverse audience who attend performances and events each year in sustaining the leader of new opera creation in Canada.  But despite our excellent track record, ticket sales still account for only 34% of the cost of mounting a production. For the remaining 66%, we rely on the generosity of governments, corporations, foundations and individuals like you.

Of all of the performing arts, opera remains the single most expensive and complex to produce. Not only do great singers need to be hired and top notch orchestras retained, but a chorus needs to be assembled and trained, designers need to be hired, sets built, lighting designed, costumes created, dancers auditioned and everyone thoroughly rehearsed. Moreover, Tapestry is committed to filling gaps in arts education and building future audiences through its innovative, hands-on and interactive education programs, which consume even more resources.

For a company like Tapestry that specializes in the creation of NEW opera, there is yet another crucial cost: the lengthy development process of the opera itself. This can take several years! In fact, Iron Road by composer Chan Ka Nin and librettist Mark Brownell was in development for almost a decade. When it opened in April of 2001, Iron Road had cost close to $1.4 million dollars to bring to the stage. Tapestry is committed to making opera available to everyone – students and seniors included – but tickets that cost as little as $18 cover only a small portion of their value. No wonder so few new operas are produced!