/http://www.nsopera.org/ 

Time of Trouble 

An Opera in Two Acts

Composed by Elizabeth Raum, Libretto by Rex Deverell

 

Premieres December 15 and 16 , 2016

 Opera Nova Scotia will be presenting a fully staged production with chorus, instrumental ensemble, and star vocalists at the Dunn Theatre, Dalhousie Performing Arts Centre. 

Time of Trouble traces the history of The Sisters of Charity, Halifax from their arrival on a Halifax Pier, May 11, 1849, to the granting by Pope Leo XIII of autonomy from the Archbishop of Halifax.
Particular dramatic focus is setupon the contrasting attitudes to the sisters by the successive Archbishops of Halifax, Connolly and Hannan,and singles out the self sacrificing vision and fortitude of Mother Mary Francis in her pursuit of independence for her order.
As the opera ends we leave the sisters ready for new tasks of community service in education especially, leading to the establishing of Mount Saint Vincent University and in today’s global concerns for ecology and women’s dignity

 

New Learning Kit from Rita

Rita’s multi-media learning kit Women, Contemporary Aboriginal Issues, and Resistance (5 print pieces, rich visual arts, 83 minute dvd), first released in 2013, has just garnered much wider North American distribution through NFB Campus. Details  this link: http://www.msvu.ca/en/home/aboutus/news/AMIresourcemarch2016.aspx

For those who are not subscribers to NFB Campus please go to the Alexa McDonough Institute for Women, Gender, and Social Justice of Mount Saint Vincent University:

http://www.msvu.ca/en/home/research/centresandinstitutes/IWGSJ/Events/ToolKit.aspx/  

Rex and Rita Deverell News

Up Coming Rita to take part in April CSARN conference.  On April 18th, some 200 people will converge on Toronto Western Hospital for an inspiring day of workshops and discussions on what it means to be a senior artist. The day begins with a keynote address from Paul Hoffert - the founder of Canada's legendary band, Lighthouse - and ends with a panel discussion featuring Pachter; dancer and choreographer Peggy Baker; broadcaster and activist Rita Shelton Deverell; actor and singer Sheila McCarthy; and actor and producer R.H. Thomson. In between, participants will take part in breakout sessions covering a variety of topics, including A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Arthritis, Spirituality in Your Creative Life, Using Social Media, Stress Relief through Movement and Meditation, The Artist's Journey: Mapping Possibilities, and Protecting Your Intellectual Property. There is still time to be part of it, but registration is already at 70% and some of the breakout sessions are close to capacity. The cost is $60, but as a member of the CSARN Community, you are entitled to a special rate of $20, which includes lunch. If you haven't received our discount code, respond to this email and ask for one. Or click here. You can find out more about the conference here. Click here to go directly to the registration page.