The Llandovery Castle, Opera Laurier, Wilfrid Laurier University

The Llandovery Castle is a new Canadian opera by composer by Stephanie Martin and librettist Paul Ciufo, created as an act of remembrance to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the hospital ship Llandovery Castle on June 27, 1918.

The opera focuses on the lives and service of 14 Canadian Nursing Sisters who died in the tragedy. The calm confidence, skill and selflessness of Canadian nurses during the Great War stand in stark contrast to the chaos and violence that surrounded them. From the horrors inflicted by inhuman trench warfare, the Sisters offered healing and compassion to soldiers on both sides of the conflict.

The work premiered in two workshops performances in Toronto in June, 2018, to enthusiastic audiences and critical praise. Opera Laurier, based at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Faculty of Music on the Waterloo campus produced the first full production of the opera, on Feb. 28 and 29 at 7:30 p.m. and March 1 at 3 p.m. in the Theatre Auditorium in the John Aird Centre on Laurier’s Waterloo campus.

The production was directed by Liza Balkan and conducted by Associate Professor Kira Omelchenko and performed by nine singers, chorus and chamber orchestra – all Laurier students.

This video production was shot by Chestnut Hall Music at the final dress rehearsal on February 26 at 7:30 pm.
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