Admission by donation. PWYC (pay what you can) at the door.

Singers of the COSI Connection, Darryl Edwards, Artistic Director http://cosacanada.org/

Members of Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra    

HPO’s “What Next Festival”   http://hpo.org/whatnextfestival/

William Rowson, Resident Conductor    http://www.rowsonmusic.com/

Christ’s Church Cathedral, Hamilton, Ontario    http://cathedralhamilton.ca/

Cast - In Order of Appearance

Principals:

Roberto - Lyric Tenor           Ryan Downey

Nando - Bass                    Nathan Keoughan

Eugenia - Contralto             Charlotte Burrage

Susy - Soprano                  Andrea Nuñez

Supporting Roles:

Liliana - Soprano               Christina Bell

Carlitos/Roy - Mezzo-Soprano    Ana Paula Malagón

Daniel/Marcelo - Tenor          Matthew Cairns

Tintin/Sergio - Tenor           Jacob Abrahamse 

Gustavo/Javier - Baritone       Lawrence Shirkie

Armando/Police Captain          Quinn Mitchell

Audience Reaction to Miracle Fight 571 HPO’s Concert Premiere, May 18, 2016, featuring COSI Connection, Darryl Edwards AD & Members of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by William Rowson

"In a bare-bones concert presentation without sur-titles, following a nail-bitingly brief rehearsal period,  "Miracle" emerged as a work of expansive beauty and power - mysterious, tender, and profound. The tonal compositional mode consistently succeeds to marry accessibility with complexity, eschewing sentimentality while integrating the dramatic human story with a mystical exploration of intense existential issues. A labour of love and purpose, the work's soaring vocal lines sear the heart as the listener witnesses and feels the courage of the young people facing terrifying choices amidst immense shock, danger, grief, and the imminence of death.

The harsh facts of the tragedy frame questions of morality, theology, and the indomitable nature of the will and spirit, all treated with depth and honesty in a composition that satisfies throughout every aspect of the storyline. The musical conclusion effectively shades triumph with loss, perfectly balancing the admixture through jubilant major chords that are gently weighted with strains of sorrow. 

The work demands to be staged in full production - it pays respectful and compassionate tribute through sounds that evoke and companion our wonderment about this extraordinary journey. “

Rena Sharon, Professor of Collaborative Piano Studies, UBC School of Music http://www.music.ubc.ca

Associate, Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies http://www.pwias.ubc.ca

Founding Artistic Director, Vancouver International Song Institute http://www.songinstitute.ca

“Miracle Flight 571 takes the audience on a flight to another world. Lloyd Burritt presents the deaths in a tragic and compellingly humane way, and uplifts the revolting issue of cannibalism to be seen in a sacred manner. It was emotionally very moving, and profoundly meaningful. The score is rapturous on the ear, with pointed dramatic moments as well as sublime halos. It would certainly be worth the consideration of Opera Companies to present this evocative work.

From a production point of view, it could be effectively produced with gobos and projections and minimal set pieces. The range of the protagonist, Nando, is that of a Verdi baritone, and Susy would ideally be cast from singers who also sing Marie and Lakmé, Roberto would come from Rodolfo and Alfredo stock, and Eugenia would be an angelic matron who would have formerly sung Olga (Eugene Onegin). “

Dr. Darryl Edwards , Artistic Director, COSI Connection

“I attended Miracle Flight 571 opera held in Hamilton Ontario on the 18th of May at Christ Church Cathedral with my son David Balke.  

I had previously informed David of the subject matter being represented.

We found the music to have an excellent range of emotions contained within it.  The performance by the singers was also very good with expression of varied emotions coming through in the timbre of the various singers. I also found it better the closer we were to the performers as the sopranos, Mother and Sister sounded too soft for the venue when we were seated near the back. I was unable to distinguish the words.  The music however, was able to give me the sense of what was being portrayed.

We both would like to hear Miracle Flight 571 again.”

 Patricia Dwyer, retired, Chief, Aboriginal Affairs and Transboundary Wildlife

Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, Ottawa, Ontario

“I was so pleased to be able to come to the performance of Miracle Flight 571.

It was difficult to imagine how the opera would be written given the subject matter.  But I was enchanted by the harmonious and expressive writing of the music.  It captured all the multitude of emotions wonderfully portrayed in the story through the music.  Rather than many chords of dissonance, the music was melodious, dramatic, and rich as it swept over the many scenarios.

I would love to hear the opera again as, like a good book, you need several exposures to be able to digest the richness of texture and magnitude.

Congratulations on a wonderful score!”

Lilian Henrikson, Therapist/Mediator, Guelph, Ontario

“I had no idea what to expect when I attended Miracle Flight 571 concert premiere in Hamilton. Well, what a delightfully surprised to find a thoroughly engaging dramatic performance filled with lyrics and music which captured the intensity of the subject matter.

The addition of the sound effects brought a realism to the performance which might otherwise have been missing with just the music and no action. The introductory remarks also helped to set the stage for the story as it unfolded.

The music and lyrics were dramatic, moving and surprisingly melodic. The whole performance was a wonderful opportunity to showcase up and coming talent in the operatic field of music and the young people did the performance proud.

I cannot wait to see a full blown production with costumes and action of this incredibly moving opera.”

Gerda Molson, Librarian. Niagara-on-the-Lake

Audience Reaction to Miracle Flight 571 Concert Reading June 14, 2015

"….truly beautiful….overwhelming….tears in my eyes early on and throughout. My heart was pulled and stretched, then stretched a little more…then wrenched and battered repeatedly, then, and only then, soothed….a truly operatic experience, a truly wonderful experience."

Mark Kusnir writer

“….moving and so powerful….brilliant…."

Angela Joyce musician

“ Rarely does a performed work unite an audience with the same emotions — beautiful music, suspense and apprehension….an apt midwife for a prodigious atmosphere of intimacy, rapport and companionship.”

Rodney Gynn-Morris physician

“….achieved a dream-like quality around the spiritual issues of life and death, perseverance and sustenance of faith, love and connectedness that were such big themes in the book as well.”

Jan Wilson librarian

“I came to see the opera with (I confess) mixed emotions and fairly guarded expectations. It was, in my mind, one hell of a subject for an opera, one more likely to repel than to attract people. And I was wrong. I’ve been talking it up ever since, perhaps because it totally challenged my pre-conceived notions. Yes, it is gut wrenching and difficult material at times, but somehow the music and the performance transcended the overwhelming facts….”

Margaret Horsfield, writer