Photos From the Premiere: Garry Gable in Batoche Monica Huisman in Batoche Batoche Introduction Dancer With Flowers Three Dancers Praying Solo Violin With Dancers Three Dancers Imprisoned Government Official Dancers Lifting

From the review by Jenni Martin from the Saskatoon StarPhoenix Monday April 23,2001: "SSO artistic director Earl Stafford conducted the Saskatchewan Chamber Orchestra, soprano Monica Huisman and bass-baritone Garry Gable... Pura's evocative, ever-changing music was the highlight of the short opera. It skilfully conveyed the sweeping prairie, the drama of doomed conflict and the desolation of defeat. Huisman and Gable have fine, rich glowing voices... All in all, it was an interesting and sometimes fascinating event..."

REHEARSALS FOR THE NEW BATOCHE PRODUCTION Rehearsals for the new Batoche production took place over April 11 and 12, 2001 at Mayfair United Church in Saskatoon. Soprano Monica Huisman with Bass-baritone Garry Gable Pianist Kathy Gable Conductor Earl Stafford with percussionist Darrell Bueckert The rehearsal space at Mayfair United Church

UPCOMING PRODUCTION Saskatoon Symphony presents Batoche as part of its New Music festival on Saturday, April 21, 2001, 8:00pm. at The Broadway Theatre, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The musicians for the April production are:   Baritone: Garry Gable   Soprano: Monica Huisman

The musical drama Batoche was first written with support of the Manitoba Arts Council. Since the first draft of the score, the music has been completely reworked and expanded to its present form. Batoche uses 2 singers: a soprano and a baritone. Each of these singers plays a variety roles in the work from narration to the development of various characters at different times in the story. There is also a small instrumental ensemble of flute, clarinet, violin, cello, two percussion, and piano.

BATOCHE, THE WORKSHOP PRODUCTION      Batoche was be presented in a workshop on August 24, 25 and 26 of 2000 in Winnipeg, with Earl Stafford conducting. The composer is very grateful for the support of Chamber Opera West. This organization, under the direction of Kim McCaw and Mel Braun, has presented a number of new dramatic works in Winnipeg in recent years and continues to be an important supporter of this musical form. The musicians for the August workshop are:   Flute: Laurel Ridd   Clarinet: Lori Freedman   Violin: Karl Stobbe   Violoncello: Mark Rudoff   Percussion: Tony Cyre and Fred Liessens   Piano: Mary Jo Carrabré   Baritone: Mel Braun   Soprano: Naomi Dueck Forman The final concert of the workshop production of Batoche was held on Saturday, August 26, 2000 in one of the studios in the Royal Winnipeg Ballet building in Winnipeg. After 2 days of rehearsals the musical drama was performed for a small audience of invited guests. There was a tremendous response by all those in attendance. Comments like "a tour de force", "riveting", "devastating in its intensity" indicated the enthusiasm which greeted the performers. The emotional impact of the story combined with fine performances by the singers as well the instrumental ensemble made for a truly memorable event. We have posted a number of photos from the workshop. As well, some short audio clips will provide a sample of the quality of the performances. Soprano / Novena,March 10-19 (requires Real Audio) Baritone / Address to the Jury (requires Real Audio) Earl Stafford with Mel & Naomi Karl Stobbe on violin Mary Jo Carrabré at the piano Tony Cyre at the timpani Fred Liessens at the vibraphone

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