Naomi’s Road at the Canadian War Museum
October 12, 2006 |
Vancouver Opera presents at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa its acclaimed opera for young audiences and their families – Naomi’s Road – A touching drama of family, home, and cross-cultural understanding
Vancouver, BC, October 12, 2006 – After inspiring nearly 50,000 children in schools and community venues throughout British Columbia, in southern Alberta, and in Washington State, Vancouver Opera’s acclaimed opera for young audiences, Naomi’s Road, continues to resonate in profound ways. From November 1 through 12, 2006, Vancouver Opera, in partnership with the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, will present twenty performances of this very moving opera at the museum.About the Opera
Commissioned by Vancouver Opera, Naomi’s Road was composed by Ramona Luengen to a libretto by Ann Hodges and is based on the 1986 novel for young readers by award-winning Japanese Canadian writer Joy Kogawa. Set during the Second World War, the opera depicts the dramatic journey of nine-year-old Naomi, her older brother Stephen, and their “Obasan” (aunt) from their comfortable and happy home in Vancouver to a Japanese internment camp in the interior of B.C. Sister and brother endure the harshness of war, racism, bullying, and loss of family to discover the gifts that sustain them: music, words and love. Their resilience of spirit and the kindness of certain strangers they meet offer hope for the future and will lead Canadian War Museum audiences to discover the power of understanding and the beauty of compassion.
Performance Details / Tickets
November 1 to 3: public performances 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
November 4 and 5: public performances 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
November 7 to 10: public performances 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
November 11 and 12: public performance each day at 2 p.m.
Tickets to the public performances are now available from the Canadian War Museum’s call centre at 1 800 555-5621 or 819 776-7014. There is a service charge for individual ticket purchases, but not for group bookings. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the Canadian War Museum Box Office, 1 Vimy Street, Ottawa, Ontario.
Tickets are $10 for students, and $20 for adults. Schools can purchase group tickets by calling 1 800 555-5621 or 819 776-7014.
James W. Wright, Vancouver Opera’s General Director, said, “This meaningful work deeply touched many people, children and adults alike, during its tour of B.C. and in locations in Alberta and Washington State that hold their own unique memories of the Japanese internment. We are delighted by the opportunity to share this opera with young audiences in Ottawa, within the resonant surroundings of the Canadian War Museum,” he said. “I believe that this presentation of Naomi’s Road comes at a time in history when it is important to reflect on the ways in which war and its by-products can not only affect the future of nations but also forever alter the lives of children and the security of their families. Vancouver Opera is privileged to stage a production that has the unique ability to act as a catalyst for audiences of all ages to enter into important dialogue on these issues,” added Wright.
J. (Joe) Geurts, Director and CEO of the Canadian War Museum, stated, “As Canada’s National museum of military history, we are committed to presenting personal stories and experiences of war and conflict. This production sheds light on one Canadian community’s unique experience during the Second World War, in which productive members of society were perceived with fea