Uploaded July 2020 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Robert Holliston (Curator of Public Engagement) talks with Michael Hidetoshi Mori (Artistic Director of Tapestry Opera, about operas that have grappled with the pressing issues of their time.
From Mozart’s THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO to Beethoven’s FIDELIO, from DEAD MAN WALKING and OKSANA G to LES FELUETTES and MISSING, opera has always had something to say about social justice. Such iconic works as LA TRAVIATA and LA BOHÉME are revered as great art, not just because they are beautiful, but because they pack an emotional punch that goes hand in hand with insightful and passionate social commentary. As Michael and Robert acknowledge, experiencing opera can open our hearts and minds … and let us walk out a bit more human than when we walked in.
Michael Hidetoshi Mori is an award-winning Canadian/American stage director, and the Artistic Director of Tapestry Opera (youtube.com/user/Tapestrynewopera). He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in opera performance from the University of British Columbia. Recent directorial projects include the world premières of THE PENCIL SALESMAN at the Westben Festival and ROCKING HORSE WINNER for Tapestry Opera, as well as TAP:EX Augmented Opera with Tapestry Opera, MAADA’OOKII SONGLINES for The Luminato Festival, co-directing SHANAWDITHIT for Tapestry Opera and Opera on the Avalon; RIGOLETTO for Sacramento Opera; and IL TRITTICO for West Bay Opera. As an artist-activist with a passion for collaboration and innovation, Michael founded Indie Opera T.O, an association of Toronto companies working together to forge a vibrant underground opera scene.
* * *
Inside Opera ONLINE
Sponsored by Black Goat Cashmere
Recommended for newcomers and opera aficionados alike!
Free. Relaxing. Available on demand whenever YOU feel like listening.
More info available at pacificopera.ca/event/inside-opera
Video produced by: Rebecca Hass & Shine*ola Communications
Opera ETC
Physically Distant | Socially Connected programs
PACIFICOPERA.CA
Chapters
0:00 Intro - opera & social issues
1:00 History of opera
2:22 Mori
5:17 Which operas relate to the times?
7:10 'Dead Man Walking'
9:00 Verdi
11:20 'La Bohème'
12:30 Early opera
14:10 Canadian operas
25:00 Power of opera
30:00 New technology & ideas
37:00 Tapestry Opera
Robert Holliston (Curator of Public Engagement) talks with Michael Hidetoshi Mori (Artistic Director of Tapestry Opera, about operas that have grappled with the pressing issues of their time.
From Mozart’s THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO to Beethoven’s FIDELIO, from DEAD MAN WALKING and OKSANA G to LES FELUETTES and MISSING, opera has always had something to say about social justice. Such iconic works as LA TRAVIATA and LA BOHÉME are revered as great art, not just because they are beautiful, but because they pack an emotional punch that goes hand in hand with insightful and passionate social commentary. As Michael and Robert acknowledge, experiencing opera can open our hearts and minds … and let us walk out a bit more human than when we walked in.
Michael Hidetoshi Mori is an award-winning Canadian/American stage director, and the Artistic Director of Tapestry Opera (youtube.com/user/Tapestrynewopera). He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in opera performance from the University of British Columbia. Recent directorial projects include the world premières of THE PENCIL SALESMAN at the Westben Festival and ROCKING HORSE WINNER for Tapestry Opera, as well as TAP:EX Augmented Opera with Tapestry Opera, MAADA’OOKII SONGLINES for The Luminato Festival, co-directing SHANAWDITHIT for Tapestry Opera and Opera on the Avalon; RIGOLETTO for Sacramento Opera; and IL TRITTICO for West Bay Opera. As an artist-activist with a passion for collaboration and innovation, Michael founded Indie Opera T.O, an association of Toronto companies working together to forge a vibrant underground opera scene.
* * *
Inside Opera ONLINE
Sponsored by Black Goat Cashmere
Recommended for newcomers and opera aficionados alike!
Free. Relaxing. Available on demand whenever YOU feel like listening.
More info available at pacificopera.ca/event/inside-opera
Video produced by: Rebecca Hass & Shine*ola Communications
Opera ETC
Physically Distant | Socially Connected programs
PACIFICOPERA.CA
Chapters
0:00 Intro - opera & social issues
1:00 History of opera
2:22 Mori
5:17 Which operas relate to the times?
7:10 'Dead Man Walking'
9:00 Verdi
11:20 'La Bohème'
12:30 Early opera
14:10 Canadian operas
25:00 Power of opera
30:00 New technology & ideas
37:00 Tapestry Opera
