![TAP:EX Forbidden](https://tapestryopera.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/TapExForbidden.jpg)
Committed to experimentation and innovation, Tapestry Opera’s Tap:Ex series explores the future of opera, boldly introducing new artists and cross-disciplinary hybrids. This fourth incarnation follows revolutionary experiments under the Tap:Ex banner previously combining opera and physical theatre (Revolutions, 2013), opera and turntablism (Tables Turned, 2014) and opera and punk music (Metallurgy, 2015).
This season, Tap:Ex Forbidden combines classical Persian music, opera and hip hop provocatively examining the temptation to transgress versus the reality of punishment, shame, and guilt, through a conversation between a young girl and Lucifer. The blending of Persian traditional instruments with hip hop creates a unique musical landscape that is both disorienting and familiar, completely contemporary and beautifully timeless.
With music by Iranian-born composer Afarin Mansouri and libretto by Afro-Caribbean hip hop artist Donna-Michelle St. Bernard, Forbidden will feature: Neema Bickersteth, soprano; Shirin Eskandani, mezzo-soprano; Alexander Hajek, baritone; and Saye Sky, Farsi rapper and spoken-word artist. Music Director Michael Shannon joins Stage Director Michael Hidetoshi Mori, (Tapestry’s General Director) to bring the work to life.
Ernest Balmer Studio
315-9 Trinity Street, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4
Reviews
"a well executed mashup"
"a modern opera breaking taboos"
"enthralling, unorthodox sound"
"musically satisfying and dramatically engaging"
Media
Creators
![Afarin Mansouri](https://tapestryopera.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Afarin-Mansouri-Composer-Headshot.jpg)
Afarin Mansouri
Composer![Donna-Michelle St. Benard](https://tapestryopera.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Donna-Michelle-St.-Bernard-Librettist-Headshot-scaled.jpg)
Donna-Michelle St. Bernard
LibrettistCast
![](https://tapestryopera.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Alexander-Hajek.jpg)
Alexander Hajek
Baritone![](https://tapestryopera.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Neema-Bickersteth.jpg)
Neema Bickersteth
Soprano![](https://tapestryopera.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Säye-Skye.jpg)
Säye Skye
Rap Artist![](https://tapestryopera.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Shirin-Eskandani.jpg)
Shirin Eskandani
Mezzo-SopranoCreative Team
![](https://tapestryopera.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Michael-Hidetoshi-Mori.jpg)
Michael Hidetoshi Mori
Director![](https://tapestryopera.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Michael-Shannon.jpg)
Michael Shannon
Music DirectorMusicians
![](https://tapestryopera.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Ali-Massoudi.jpg)
Ali Massoudi
Percussion![](https://tapestryopera.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Kianoush-Khalilian.jpg)
Kianoush Khalilian
Ney![](https://tapestryopera.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Padideh-Ahrarnejad.jpg)