The Canadian Opera Company’s (COC) annual Xstrata Ensemble Studio School Tour, sponsored by Xstrata Nickel, brings the magic of opera to children in Sudbury, Timmins and many other communities across Canada every year.
However, last November, Xstrata Nickel asked the COC to reach out even further and perform at its fly-in Raglan Mine operation and nearby Nunavik communities of Salluit and Kangiqsujuaq in Northern Quebec.
The ensemble’s team of five singers, one music director/pianist, stage manager and staff flew to Nunavik and performed Cinderella for a total of 400 children in the two communities.
Poor weather prevented the plane from landing in Salluit on the first full day of the ensemble’s tour, but the schedule was rearranged and all the performances were staged as planned.
At the conclusion of the shows, members of the cast were given rock-star treatment with crowds of children gathering around them to express their appreciation.
The ensemble also performed for Xstrata Nickel’s Raglan employees to rave reviews.
The COC has been producing its school tour of kid-friendly operas for more than 20 years. Last year, the ensemble completed its most ambitious tour of elementary schools to date with cast and crew of two productions travelling a combined 9,068 kilometres and giving a total of 47 performances.
Located in the Nunavik region of Quebec’s far north 1,800 kilometres north of Montreal, Xstrata Nickel’s Raglan operation consists of a series of high-grade nickel and copper deposits stretching across 70 kilometres. The operation consists of underground mines, a concentrator, a power plant, accommodation and administrative buildings, fresh water supply and fuel storage tanks. The site is linked by an all-weather road to an airstrip at Donaldson and to concentrate, storage and ship-loading facilities at Deception Bay.
