FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 15, 2021
AGAINST THE GRAIN THEATRE’S INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED MESSIAH RETURNS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
CELEBRATING VOICES COAST-TO-COAST
ACCOMPANIED BY THE TORONTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
TORONTO—Back by overwhelming demand, the cross-Canada film Messiah/Complex will be available once again starting December 12th on AtG TV this holiday season. This daring reimagining of Handel’s Messiah, accompanied by and in partnership with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO), becomes available for FREE on-demand viewing from December 12, 2021-January 9, 2022.
In celebration of this relaunch, AtG has partnered with Opera InReach (OIR) to launch The Messiah Project and give two school choirs from across Canada the opportunity to star in a professional music video for the Hallelujah chorus set to premiere alongside the Messiah/Complex release. Application information can be found on OIR’s website.
“Messiah/Complex became a work of art that showed how artists have been courageous, determined, and innovative in telling their stories and connecting with people around the globe through digital technology. We’re excited to share it again for free, as our gift to you.” Joel Ivany, Founding Artistic Director of AtG, says.
Messiah/Complex, recently shortlisted in the prestigious international Golden Prague Competition, is co-directed by Joel Ivany and Reneltta Arluk, Director of Indigenous Arts at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. The globally-lauded film features twelve soloists and four choirs representing every province and territory across the country performed in Arabic, Dene, English, French, Inuktitut, and Southern Tutchone, accompanied by the exceptional musicians of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Johannes Debus (Canadian Opera Company).
Messiah/Complex features an array of incredible Canadian voices, including Jonathon Adams (AB), Looee Arreak (NU), Spencer Britten (BC), Rihab Chaieb (QC), Catherine Daniel (AB), Deantha Edmunds (NL), Leela Gilday (NT), Miriam Khalil (ON), Andrea Lett (SK), Diyet (YT), Julie Lumsden (MB), and Elliot Madore (ON); featured choirs include Le Choeur Louisbourg (NB), the Halifax Camerata Singers (NS), the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir (ON), and the University of Prince Edward Island Chamber Chorus (PEI).
Join Against the Grain Theatre for this special presentation of Messiah/Complex from December 12th, 2021-January 9th, 2022.
When, Where, and How to Watch
AtG’s Messiah/Complex in partnership with the TSO will be available on-demand from December 12, 2021-January 9, 2022
Ticket registration for this performance is available free of charge.
Registration is now available at: https://bit.ly/messiahcomplex2021
ABOUT AtG
Against the Grain Theatre (AtG) is an award-winning Canadian opera company committed to revitalizing the operatic art form by presenting an eclectic array of musical works in unconventional spaces and innovative ways. With a mandate to create and introduce audiences to outside-the-box opera experiences, AtG performs fresh, daring re-interpretations of classical repertoire to create thrilling, intimate, unforgettable experiences shared between artists and audiences.
For more information, please visit AtG online at atgtheatre.com, on Twitter and Instagram @AtGTheatre, and on Facebook at facebook.com/AtGTheatre.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Robin Whiffen
Executive Director
Against the Grain Theatre
robin@againstthegraintheatre.com