Against the Grain Theatre: "Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup"
6:30pm doors • 7:30pm show
About
Against the Grain Theatre, a National Sawdust Season 5 Artist-in-Residence, presents a work-in-progress performance of Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup, a new chamber opera written by celebrated composer Michelle DiBucci and award-winning Canadian librettist Royce Vavrek. A journey into a young woman’s world torn apart by abuse, neglect, addiction, and apathy, this opera is an unflinching and compassionate look at the opioid crisis and a brutal testament to a plague that is emblematic of this decade.
Witness the results of a four-day workshop at National Sawdust with a first look at the development of this new contemporary work addressing one of the most urgent issues of our time. This work-in-progress presentation will feature about 30 minutes of new music, as well as a discussion with the creative team alongside researchers and addiction specialists, giving insight into the collaborative process of creating timely, socially-engaged work.
Tickets
The Artists
Since 2010, Against the Grain Theatre has been making waves in Canada’s classical music scene. Offering everything from Mozart, Handel, Schubert, and Puccini to Britten, Messiaen, Janáček, and Kurtág, we have made it our mandate to exhibit fresh, daring re-interpretations of classical repertoire. We perform in nontraditional spaces — courtyards, bars, Victorian mansions, wedding halls — and with scaled-back accompaniment, such as a string quartet or piano, to bring out the full force of operatic singing in close quarters. The result? A thrilling, intimate, and unforgettable experience shared between our artists and audiences. Come see for yourself.
