Alexandra

Description

Alexandra David-Néel’s incredible journey to Tibet; the woman with soles of wind

This “road opera” is inspired by the extraordinary life of this French adventurer who travelled over the world’s highest peaks in sometimes extreme conditions.

Having lived more than a hundred years (1868-1969), she was in turns an anarchist, an opera singer, a journalist, a freemason, a feminist, a free thinker, a Buddhist, a reporter, a writer, an explorer and a philosopher. She dared to travel to the ends of the world at a time when women felt unable to take up such a challenge. Her many journeys were as varied as her many talents. She embarked on a spiritual journey as she adopted Buddhism and discovered a passion for Hinduism, a personal journey when she received the teachings of a Tibetan master in the far reaches of the Himalayas of the Upper Sikkim, and many other journeys as she made her way along difficult routes in sometimes extreme conditions, including travelling more than 3000 kilometers into mysterious Tibet. from Nepal to Japan, from Korea to the interior of China, form India to the mysterious, and at that time forbidden, Tibet. She was the first Western woman to enter Lhassa in 1924, after an incredible and secretive trek accompanied by a young citizen of Sikkim, Aphur Yongden, who became her adopted son in 1929.

Alexandra's epic life offers us a lesson in courage, curiosity and perseverance. She always lived up to her motto ‘Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes can see’. She wanted to explore the fullness of truth, which always led her farther, making her constantly go beyond her limits…

It’s this clandestine and dangerous journey that will be at the heart of this opera.

On video

The designers and performers for Alexandra gathered yesterday at HexagramUqam’s facility for a filmed rehearsal. From that material, Gaspacho Films produced a commercial that will be broadcast on Radio-Canada and ARTV channels starting on May 1st.

April 2012, 43s

Sponsors

Upcoming

• • Thursday May 17, 2012, 8:00 pm
  • Friday May 18, 2012, 8:00 pm
  • Saturday May 19, 2012, 8:00 pm
  Usine C

  1345, avenue Lalonde (entre de la Visitation et Panet, une rue au sud d’Ontario) [métro Beaudry], Montréal, Québec

  Ticket office: 514-521-4493
  Tickets: Regular: $35.00 • Senior: $30.00 • Student: $25.00 • Admission

Creative Team

• Music: Zack Settel
• Libretto: Yan Muckle
• Design & stage direction: Pauline Vaillancourt
• Stage design: Jocelyne Alloucherie
• Lighting: Nicolas Descoteaux
• Costumes: Marianne Thériault
• Make-up: Jacques-Lee Pelletier
• Choreography: Lina Cruz
• Videography: Jean Décarie, Catherine Parent

Performers

• Pauline Vaillancourt, soprano (aged Alexandra)
• Jessica Wise, soprano (young Alexandra)
• François-Olivier Jean, tenor (Yongden)
• John Giffen, bass-baritone (monk, peasant, soldier, servant)
• Steeve Vérayie, bass (monk, peasant, soldier, servant)
• Patrick Mallette, bass-baritone (monk, peasant, soldier, servant)
• Philippe Martel, bass-baritone (monk, peasant, soldier, servant)
• François Dubé, bass (monk, peasant, soldier, servant)
• In Extensio (Barah Héon-Morissette; Louise Campbell; David Jomphe; Angelo Munoz; Andrea Stewart; Olivier Maranda)
• Cristian German Gort, conductor

Production

Alexandra, conceived and produced by Chants Libres, is presented with the support of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Conseil des arts de Montréal, in partnership with HexagramUQAM, Le Vivier, and VYV, and in collaboration with the ensemble In Extensio. Alexandra received a residence at Usine C.