AtG Founder and Artistic Director Joel Ivany partnered with Banff Centre’s Director of Indigenous Arts, Reneltta Arluk, to Co-Direct a new interpretation of the Messiah…
…with the goal of amplifying this unique moment of pride and inclusivity in Canada—honouring and giving support to Indigenous and underrepresented voices from coast-to-coast-to-frozen-coast, and hoping to share these voices with an international audience.

Joel Ivany (BC)
Co-Director of Messiah/Complex and Artistic Director of Against the Grain Theatre

Reneltta Arluk (NT)
Co-Director of Messiah/Complex and Director of Indigenous Arts at Banff Centre
Filmed against iconic Canadian landscapes, Messiah/Complex features twelve soloists and four choirs representing every province and territory across the country.
This “complex” interpretation of Messiah includes 6 languages, 12 soloists, 4 choirs, and is lifted by the mighty sounds of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Every aspect of this production has been made possible by the goodwill and diligence of the cast and crew involved following the most up-to-date provincial COVID-19 safety protocols.
Click on the photo of a soloist below to learn more about their Messiah/Complex story.
Messiah/Complex soloists include: Cree-Métis baritone Jonathon Adams; Inuktituk singer Looee Arreak; British Columbia tenor Spencer Britten; Canadian-Tunisian Rihab Chaieb in Montreal; Edmonton-born mezzo-soprano Catherine Daniel; Inuk singer Deantha Edmunds in Newfoundland & Labrador; Dene singer-songwriter Leela Gilday in Northwest Territories; Lebanese-Canadian soprano Miriam Khalil; Saskatchewan soprano Andrea Lett; Diyet van Lieshout, who sings in Southern Tutchone, from Yukon Territory; Métis singer Julie Lumsden; and Toronto baritone Elliot Madore.
These diverse and singular voices represent an array of cultural traditions and heritages…
…as well as every region of our vast and interconnected country—hence the addition of “Complex” to the title of this production of the Messiah. We’re celebrating the artists’ uniqueness and comfort.

Toronto Mendelssohn Choir (ON)
No. 44 – Hallelujah

Halifax Camerata Singers (NS)
No. 53 – Worthy is the Lamb that was Slain

Le Choeur Louisbourg (NB)
No. 12 – For Unto Us A Child is Born

UPEI Chamber Singers (PEI)
No. 7 – And He Shall Purify
Garnering over 130K views in its initial limited run…
…Messiah/Complex has been watched by audiences from more than forty countries worldwide. Against the Grain Theatre received thousands of messages from international fans, sending their gratitude for such a diverse and inspired piece of work and sharing their personal connections to Handel’s Messiah.

AtG would like to extend a special thank you to the artists, arts administrators, technicians and crew who took a chance on us, and who have inspired our team throughout this creative journey.
On behalf of AtG, our Board of Directors, and our partner Toronto Symphony Orchestra, we hope you enjoyed this unique and inspired performance of Messiah/Complex.
Supported By
Individual
Alexandra Baillie
Andrea Bellefeuille
Carolyn & Steve Campbell
Simion Candrea
Marc Chalifoux
Debbie Delancey
Lynn Eakin
Sandra Gavinchuk & William Bowen
Andrew Gillespie
Valarie Koziol
Joy Levine
Shirley Neuman
Christian Perry
Frances Price
Cornelia Schuh & Michiel Horn
Robert Sherrin & Astrid Janson
Kris Vikmanis & Denton Creighton
Peter Wismath
Corporate
Aldershot Landscape Contractors
Bank of Montreal
Unilock
Validus Reinsurance, Ltd.
Diyet’s appearance is generously supported by Whitehorse Concerts
Foundations
The Azrieli Foundation
Yukon Arts Centre





