Memories Beyond The Grave

Memories Beyond The Grave is a 70 minute chamber opera by composer Michael Donovan. This work is a collection of excerpts from the seminal memoirs of Francois René de Chateaubriand (1768-1848), four of his poems, and two poems by his sister Lucile de Chateaubriand (1764-1804). The memoirs are spoken and sung in English, and the poetry is sung in French (with subtitles).The score is written for 2 singers, a chamber ensemble of 4  (piano/harpsichord, cello, flute and electronic instruments), and a 6-voice treble chorus. There are 3 characters/roles in the piece: Chateaubriand (Baritone), Lucile de Chateaubriand (Soprano),and the Moon (sung by the same soprano).

The creation of this piece is inspired from the deep connection with nature in the writings of these 2 historical figures. When faced with their own mortality, Lucile and René take solace in nature, as reflected in their communion with the Moon. Lucile, sings her poem A la lune (To The Moon), establishing the Moon as a central character in the piece — Lucile re-appears as the Moon later in the piece, accompanied by the stars (6 treble-voiced chorus).

Mémoires d'outre-tombe retrace l'étroite relation fraternelle entre François René de Chateaubriand (1768-1848) et Lucile de Chateaubriand (1764-1804), un lien renforcé par leur amour de la nature pendant l'enfance et l'adolescence. De nombreux poèmes et lettres de Lucile et René sont tissés avec des extraits de l'autobiographie mondialement connue de François René, Mémoires d'outre-tombe. Chantée et parlée en français et en anglais, la fusion des styles contemporains et romantiques de Michael Donovan nous transporte dans le monde magique et tumultueux de ces deux frères et sœurs, magistralement mis en scène et interprété par un ensemble exceptionnel de chanteurs, d'instrumentistes et d'une équipe de création.

Creative Team:

Stage director: David Overton

Movement director: Veronique MacKenzie

Projection and lighting design: Mackenzie Cornfield,

Music director Michael Donovan

Stage Manager: Gina Woodward

Costume Designer:  Diego Cavedon Dias

Cast

Doug MacNaughton (Baritone) (René de Chateaubriand)

Maureen Batt (Soprano) (Lucile and The Moon)

Cindy Thong Piano/Harpsichord

Sibylle Marquardt  Flute

Paul Pulford  Cello

Tim Crofts  Synthesizers

Chorus: Kyra Foulds, Amelia Wheeler, Sarah Walker, Kate Harbaruk, Mackenzie Brothers, Jane Bach