Exploring one’s journey to embrace multiple and shifting identities.
Composer: Dinuk Wijeratne
Librettist: Shauntay Grant
Cast: Elliot Madore, Baritone
Language: English [English subtitles]
Running Time: 45 Minutes
An artistic exploration of Self
In early June 2020, Torontonian and baritone Elliot Madore opened up on social media about his struggles with “unabashedly expressing [his] identity” as a biracial person.
AtG Artistic Director Joel Ivany and Elliot Madore came together to find a way to present to the Canadian arts community the universal themes behind Madore’s moving Instagram post. In collaboration with genre-bending composer Dinuk Wijeratne and acclaimed poet Shauntay Grant, AtG and Madore will present a song cycle that sets new and original Canadian poetry to music that fuses classical music with an array of influences.
The film will present the song cycle in its current state of development: showcasing five newly composed songs woven together with stories from Elliot’s life.
AtG TV
Watch the Trailer
Premieres: Sunday, October 23rd at 8 PM ET
Streaming: October 23rd – April 23rd
Tickets: Free or Pay-What-You-Can
“Through my personal story and my strife with identity, I’ve come to realize that this is a common theme throughout society that hasn’t been fully explored: our collective and individual struggle with who we are, our identity.”
— Elliot Madore, Baritone
Cast & Creative Team



The 2020 – 2021 season sees Madore’s return to The Metropolitan Opera to sing Mercutio in the Bartlett Sher production of Roméo et Juliette. The Canadian baritone also sings the role of Franz Wolff-Metternich in the world premiere of La beauté du monde at Opéra de Montréal, and returns to both Opernhaus Zürich and Manitoba Opera to sing Anthony Hope in Sweeney Todd. Orchestral engagements include his debut with the London Symphony Orchestra singing Carmina Burana, conducted by Gianandrea Noseda, and Ramón in Girls of the Golden West with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by John Adams. Madore also appears in recital at Koerner Hall at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.
Elliot's Website


Andrew has worked as an arts administrator with such organizations as the Association for Opera in Canada and Tapestry Opera and has recently made his directorial debut with the Canadian Opera Company and Against the Grain Theatre as the Associate Director on Mozart’s Requiem. Most recently he directed the Edmonton Opera Valentine’s Day Gala which premiered on Global TV in February of 2022. Andrew currently works as the Artistic Producer for the Banff Centre Opera in the 21st Century program and is the Co-Founder of the national arts education collective Opera InReach. Andrew’s recognizable commitment to EDIJA advancement in the arts sector has made him sought after as a panellist, consultant, and outlet contributor.
This season, Andrew will assistant direct Identity: A Song Cycle with Against the Grain Theatre and Carmen with the Canadian Opera Company. Andrew is very excited to continue his journey as an opera producer through this opportunity provided by the Metcalf Foundation allowing him to work in Artistic Operations with Against the Grain Theatre.

She is a 5 time Dora Mavor Moore nominee as well as a 4 time nominee for the Virginia & Myrtle Cooper Travel Award in Costume Design.
Production & Design
Cinematography
Sound Designer
Percussion
Bass
Riddle Films
Ben Ewing
Nick Halley
Taylor Emond
Cinematography — Riddle Films
Sound Designer — Ben Ewing
Percussion — Nick Halley
Bass — Taylor Emond
“Maybe the individual who listens to this piece is searching for something – just as we all are.”
— Dinuk Wijeratne, Composer
Media
Identity excerpt ” No. 3 Synthetic Leaves”
Identity in Conversation with Elliot, Dinuk, and Joel
“Father’s face on faded picture – unfamiliar ancestry.
Eyes I know and don’t remember.
Is this who I’m s’posed to be?”
— (Excerpt from Identity: a Song Cycle, written by Shauntay Grant)
Support the Show
We’re delighted to present Identity, free-of-charge
As a small arts organization, we strive to showcase experimental works and diverse voices—and this means taking risks: creatively and financially. If you are able, please consider a donation to AtG, so that we can bring more outside-the-box operatic experiences to you and continue to provide employment opportunities to artists and artisans nationwide.

Our Supporters
The Canada Council for the Arts
Ontario Arts Council
Arts Nova Scotia
Toronto Arts Council
TD Ready Commitment
The Azrieli Foundation





