
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
Composer
Donna Michelle St. Bernard
LibrettistCast

Alexander Hajek
Baritone
Neema Bickersteth
Soprano
Säye Skye
Rap Artist
Shirin Eskandani
Mezzo-SopranoCreative Team

Michael Hidetoshi Mori
Director
Michael Shannon
Music DirectorMusicians

Ali Massoudi
Percussion
Kianoush Khalilian
Ney