|
Tourism, Culture and Recreation June 29, 2007
Minister to Attend National Debut of
Shallaway, Newfoundland and Labrador Youth in Chorus, will take its production, Ann and S�amus � A Chamber Opera, for its national debut at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on July 2. Tourism, Culture and Recreation Minister, the Honourable Tom Hedderson, will attend the Ottawa performance and bring greetings on behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador at a reception to follow. Ann and S�amus will then move to Brock University in St. Catherines on July 5, and to the Harborfront Centre in Toronto for July 7 and 8. The tour will conclude at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., July 11. The Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation is supporting Shallaway�s production, through Budget 2007, with a contribution of $50,000. A dynamic group of artists were brought together by Shallaway Artistic Director Susan Knight to create this opera production. Stephen Hatfield is the librettist and composer, and Jillian Keiley the director and designer. "The collaboration between such fine professional artists and the tremendous talent of our youth to develop this chamber opera and bring the production forth to national and international audiences is a true celebration of Newfoundland and Labrador�s cultural history" said Minister Hedderson. "I congratulate Shallaway on this successful merging of music-making and storytelling, which is also incorporating our renowned hospitality and our identity as a people." "It was a pleasure to work with such a talented group of individuals to bring the inspirational and remarkable story of Ann Harvey to national and international audiences" said Susan Knight, Artistic Director for Shallaway. "It is an honour to share her story with the world and we are truly looking forward to our upcoming performances."; Ann and S�amus is based on a true story of heroism on Newfoundland�s south coast in 1828. The real-life heroine, 17-year-old Ann Harvey, was responsible for saving 168 people, mainly Irish immigrants, when they were shipwrecked on the rocks off Isle aux Morts. Ann�s family, sole occupants of the community, kept the people alive after their rescue for 11 days until help arrived. This little-known story was retold in a narrative poem published by Newfoundland and Labrador author Kevin Major and illustrated by Newfoundland and Labrador artist David Blackwood. "It is tremendous to see the youth of our province engaged in such an event, which provides them with a valuable learning opportunity. They are true ambassadors for Newfoundland and Labrador" said Minister Hedderson. "It is so important that young people continue to be involved in the promotion of our traditions, such as music and story telling. This production clearly demonstrates the cultural significance of our history and helps to ensure these traditions remain a part of our cultural fabric. I applaud each and everyone who was involved." -30- Media contact: 2007 06 29 3:50 p.m.
|
|
|
|
All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server. Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement |
