Éric Champagne was chosen winner of the very first Lori Davies Prize of Excellence of $5,000, for composition in dance, opera or musical theater, for his opera Yourcenar: An island of passions. Composed by Mr. Champagne, to a libretto by Hélène Dorion and Marie-Claire Blais, this opera was chosen as the winner following a unanimous vote by the committee.
Victor Davies, chairman of the committee, renowned composer and husband of the late winner, said: “Chosen from various submissions of opera, dance and musical theater works, his opera features a chamber orchestra, six soloists and a Greek choir of twelve people representing the Fates. Champagne’s score brings out the emotional depth of the libretto by offering orchestrations where the musical motifs unify the work to make it a fascinating whole.
Written by renowned Quebec authors Hélène Dorion and Marie-Claire Blais, the poetic libretto is inspired by Greek tragedies and explores the timeless themes of love, life, death, friendship, art and history. At the heart of the story, Daisy (Marguerite), a classics professor and daughter of a famous antiques expert, has a complex relationship with her assistant and lover, Grace. Set against the historical backdrop of World War II and the civil rights era, Daisy’s journey of love, betrayal and self-discovery takes place on a Greek island and in Paris. After Grace dies, Daisy finds a new companion named Jerry, a photographer with hidden agendas, who will ultimately lead her back to solitude and a renewed commitment to life.
The committee praised the orchestration and composition for Champagne’s voices which captured the nuanced emotions of the characters and created an immersive experience with musical and thematic resonance.
Canada
