
Sanctuary Song
A Tapestry Opera production
Composed by Abigail Richardson-Schulte | Libretto by Marjorie Chan 陳以珏 | Directed by Michael Hidetoshi Mori | Music Direction by Gregory Oh
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From the circus to sanctuary, an elephant journeys to freedom.
Based on a true story, Sanctuary Song explores the story of Sydney, an elephant whose remarkable journey culminates in her release into a sanctuary.
Written by the award-winning team of librettist Marjorie Chan 陳以珏 and composer Abigail Richardson-Schulte, Sanctuary Song is a story for audiences of all ages that uncovers powerful truths in the life of a remarkably resilient elephant. Directed by Michael Hidetoshi Mori, with Music Direction by Gregory Oh, and featuring original choreography by Aria Evans, audiences enter a circus and leave with the song of elephants in their ear.
Sydney, a Sumatran elephant poached from the jungles of Indonesia at a young age, recalls her remarkable life in captivity, far from home, as her keeper of 22 years leads her on a journey toward sanctuary in the hills of Tennessee. A dynamic weaving of opera and dance unearths friendships lost and found and restores stolen freedom. The power of memory and the wonder of communication in the human and natural worlds resonate in this moving new production that audiences will never forget. Among the reveries Sydney shares from her past is the incident where she broke a front leg trying to escape the circus boat, which caught fire in the Halifax harbour.
The accident ended her circus career, so she came to the Louisiana Zoo, where the opera begins. As he prepares to lead Sydney onto the railway car, her keeper makes a heart-rending covenant with her: “I was not the first to put a chain on you, but I promise, I promise, I will be the last.”
This one-hour performance is an “opera for all ages” and the perfect evening out for the whole family.
Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre
877 Yonge St Toronto, ON M4W 3M2
- Matinée
- Matinée
- Family night
- Matinée
- Matinée
Approximately one hour. Sanctuary Song was commissioned by Theatre Direct Canada and developed in partnership with Tapestry Opera, with support from the Canadian Opera Creation program.
Creators

Abigail Richardson-Schulte
Composer
Marjorie Chan 陳以珏
Librettist
Michael Hidetoshi Mori
DirectorCast

Midori Marsh
Sydney
Alvin Crawford
James
Courtenay Stevens
Hunter, Circus Owner, Zoo Worker
Elvina Raharja
Penny, GirlCreative Team

Gregory Oh
Music Director
Aria Evans
Choreographer
Rebecca Cuddy
Assistant Director
Kelly Lin
Assistant Conductor
Jung-Hye Kim
Set & Costume Designer
Bonnie Beecher
Lighting DesignerMusicians

Aysel Taghi-Zada
Violin, Steward
Talisa Blackman
Piano
Ryan Scott
Percussion
Hoi Tong Keung
PercussionProduction Team

Remington North
Production Manager
Hailey Tan
Associate Production Manager
Myra A. Malley
Stage Manager
Angela Mae Bago
Assistant Stage Manager
Perseus Rebelo
Head of Wardrobe
Talisa Blackman
Répétiteur
Mabel Wonnacott
Surtitlist
Camille Rogers
Surtitlist- David Christo: Production Assistant/Set Supervisor
- Kate Ingman: Scenic Carpenter/Set Supervisor
- Peter Velocci: Scenic Carpenter
- Martin Zinko: Scenic Carpenter
- Clare Padgett: Head Scenic Artist
- Deanna Morrison: Scenic Artist
- Emma Burnett: Scenic Painter
- Vivian Ly: Scenic Painter
- Emily Ledjenac: 877 House Tech
Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre
- Pip Bradford: Director of Facilities & Production
- Emily Ledjenac: House Technician
- Nathan Akamba: Crew
- Sebastian Cattrysse: Crew
- Sebastian Chow: Crew
- Kate Ingman: Crew
- Rowan Jones: Crew
- Julie M. Li: Crew
- Chin Palipane: Crew
- Stephanie Taylor: Crew
- Rian Tran: Crew