The UBC Opera Ensemble with support from
UBC's Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Mental Health
On the occasion of UBC's Centenary
Present
World Premiere of
The Dream Healer
Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC
Sunday, March 2, 3pm.
Tuesday March 4, 8pm.
Thursday March 6, 8pm.
Saturday March 8, 8pm. 2008
The UBC Opera Ensemble and Orchestra will perform with the famed mezzo soprano, Judith Forst, who's joined by baritone John Avey singing the role of Carl Jung and tenor Roelof Oostwoud in the role of Pilgrim. Maestro David Agler will conduct with stage direction by Nancy Hermiston. Sets and lighting will be designed by Robert Gardner.
Judith Forst:
"I look forward to performing the role of Lady Sybil Quartermaine in this innovative, important new opera."Professor Hermiston:
"The production of this compelling opera with its remarkable melodic line, full of emotional impact, is a tremendous opportunity for UBC Opera and its students."Dr. A.P. Zis:
"This is an important project, because the issue of mental health and mental illness is finally being recognized by society, politicians and government as a serious problem that must be addressed."UBC's Department of Psychiatry and the UBC Institute of Mental Health will organize a lecture series during the performance week to address mental health and issues surrounding mental illness.
Dr. A.P. Zis, former head, Department of Psychiatry,
Dr. Trevor Young, Head, Department of Psychiatry and
Dr. Anthony Phillips, Director, UBC Institute of Mental Health are developing a lecture series to continue and promote the dialogue among professionals and the community.
Marion Woodman, a leading Jungian analyst and theorist renowned for her "Body, Soul, and Rhythm" workshops and numerous books will participate in the program.
Professor Wulf Rössler, the current director of the Burghölzli Clinic has also agreed to participate and address the issues of stigma associated with mental illness.
A story of depth and meaning
The opera is based on Timothy Findley's PILGRIM. Focused on Carl Jung at the Burghõlzli Clinic in Zürich, it is a story about disintegration of the psyche.
Early in the opera, Pilgrim's friend, Lady Sybil, asks Jung about disintegration as a symptom of schizophrenia and whether reintegration of the fragments is possible.
S Replies Jung, "Sometimes we have to accept that things break into pieces."
"And then.?" she asks.
"'And then'" becomes a journey to integrate the real with the unreal, the supposed with the unimaginable, so that new understandings of the human condition are possible.