Canada Council grant for “Pauline”

Dear Friends:

We are delighted to tell you that the Canada Council today awarded City Opera a music commissioning grant for the creation of ‘Pauline’. The grant is in the amount of $16,000 and will support the work of composer Christos Hatzis.

As you know, ‘Pauline’ is a chamber opera set in Vancouver in March of 1913, in the last week in the life of Pauline Johnson. The libretto is by Margaret Atwood, and is simply brilliant. ‘Pauline’ is designed as a signature vehicle for the great Canadian singer Judith Forst.

The world premiere of ‘Pauline’ will be given at the restored Pantages Theatre, in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside - trusting that the City finds merit in our project.

The premiere will be recorded by Naxos, the world’s largest classical recording company, as part of our new series ‘Canadian Classics’.

City Opera’s Director of Development, Tom Durrie, is especially to be congratulated upon the success of this Canada Council grant application, as is the self-evident merit of ANY project created by Margaret Atwood and Christos Hatzis, and starring Judith Forst. This will be a wonderful event for Canadian arts and letters. Our great thanks to the Canada Council, and to all Canadians who support the arts.

Opening night just got a good deal closer.

City Opera Vancouver gratefully acknowledges the generous music commission grant provided by the Canada Council.