This is an archived event from Culture Days 2025.
Images
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Ian Cusson, courtesy of the artist -
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Emma Pennell, courtesy of the artist -
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Cover of Empire of Wild by Cherie Dimaline
The Making of Empire of Wild, the Opera at Toronto Public Library
In-person
Performance Singing Storytelling Indigenous Music Writing & literatureDate and time
Location
Toronto Public Library - North York Central Library
5120 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
Access
Free.
Offered in English.
About
Presented in celebration of Ontario Culture Days 2025.
From your bookshelf to the stage, join us for The Making of Empire of Wild, the Opera. This upcoming opera is composed by Ian Cusson for the Canadian Opera Company, and based on the bestselling novel by Cherie Dimaline. Meet Cusson, the award-winning composer, as he takes us through his creative journey of writing this world premiere opera. The program also features a special performance by Emma Pennell of one of the arias from the production.
The story centres on the character of Joan, a tenacious woman who seeks to rescue her husband from the grips of the rougarou, a werewolf-like creature often described in stories passed down over generations. Part conversation and part performance, this event showcases the breadth and power of Métis storytelling.
Presented in partnership by the Canadian Opera Company, Toronto Public Library and Ontario Culture Days.
Organizer
Ontario Culture Days
Ontario Culture Days is a not-for-profit organization that celebrates artists and cultural groups in our communities.
The Ontario Culture Days Festival is an annual celebration of arts, culture and heritage taking place each fall across the province. Each year, we work with organizers of all disciplines to produce this province-wide festival. Organizers host programs throughout Ontario and invite the public to participate for free.
Ontario Culture Days lives at the local level. We support organizers from the smallest hamlets to the largest cities, while coordinating with other national and provincial Culture Days partners. We support the success of our sector colleagues through resources and network development, while highlighting the breadth and heterogeneity of Ontario’s arts and culture to the wider public.
This event is part of a hub:
Ontario Culture Days 2025 at Toronto Public Library
Ontario Culture Days Toronto, ONFor the 2025 festival, Ontario Culture Days is partnering with Toronto Public Library to offer free arts and culture events at library branches across the city. Together, TPL and Ontario Culture Days present a range of in-person programs,...