On Wednesday, City Opera Vancouver opens a unique double bill. Vancouver is about to see what Canada has never seen. Medieval Japan’s legend, Sumida River. Benjamin Britten’s masterwork, Curlew River.

Japanese dance. Western opera. Together.

The production is a phenomenon. Robert Gardiner and John Wright, Natsu Nakajima and Ron Snippe, have combined their gifts in something new, rare, and beautiful.

Denise Fujiwara stars as Madwoman in Sumidagawa. Isaiah Bell stars as Madwoman in Curlew River. Their eloquence is breathtaking. The music is beautiful beyond measure.

Will you join us? Hundreds have already done so. Our last production, The Emperor of Atlantis, sold out all five nights – and on the last, dozens were turned away. Please consider obtaining your tickets now.

Photos are by Eric Thorkelsson.

Frederic Wood Theatre, just steps from the Chan Centre at UBC
May 26, 27 and 28 at 7:30pm / May 30 at 2:30pm
$40.00. Student ID $26.00

Online: www.ticketstonight.ca
In person:  Sikora’s Classical Records, 432 West Hastings Street
By phone:  604.812.3684
Information:   www.cityoperavancouver.com

Get an inside look at "Curlew River" rehearsals
and preparations on the City Opera Facebook page.

This is a co-production of City Opera Vancouver, UBC Theatre and Film, and Blackbird Theatre. It is supported and endorsed by the Vancouver Cantata Singers, explorASIAN, Nikkei Place, the Powell Street Festival, the Japanese Language School and Hall, UBC Asian Studies, the UBC Alumni Association, The Bulletin of Japanese Arts and Culture, the Vancouver International Song Institute, the McLean Foundation, the Michael O'Brian Foundation for the Arts, Accent Inns, Tom Lee Music, the Digital Video Illumination Project and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, a Vancity Director's Grant (Wendy Holm), and our great friend Yoshi Karasawa - among many others.

Please feel free to forward this message to anyone who may find it of interest!