Louis Reil opera has new meaning

“Louis Riel” was originally created to mark Canada’s centennial in 1967, but a new incarnation of the opera about the famed Metis leader has an added poignancy given the current era of truth and reconciliation with indigenous peoples, says director Peter Hinton.

The Canadian Opera Company is reviving its homegrown production, created by composer Harry Somers and librettist Mavor Moore, ahead of Canada’s 150th birthday.

“They could have chosen a story that was much idealized, that celebrated Confederation, that was a kind of sea-toshining-sea national dream, up-with-people kind of tale.

And they chose one of the great social injustices of our history. It’s this very provocative story,” Hinton says of the made-in-Canada opera.

Riel has been recognized as a founder of Manitoba and a champion and defender of Metis rights; but he remains a controversial figure in Canada’s history, who has been viewed as both a hero and traitor.

Canadian baritone Russell Braun plays the title role in the opera, which centres on the resistance movements Riel led against the federal government: the 1870 Red River Rebellion in Manitoba, and the 1885 Battle of Batoche during the North-West Rebellion in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Another central focus of the production is Riel’s trial on charges of high treason, which led to his eventual conviction and hanging.

Hinton says if “Louis Riel” had been written today, there would have been greater representation among indigenous peoples, both in its creation and among its principal performers. But the current revival did set out to boost the visibility and voice of Canada’s first peoples.

“Louis Riel” runs from April 20 to May 13 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto, and at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on June 15 and 17.