Canadian tenor takes on Ottawa composer’s work
Noted tenor sings new work from an Ottawa composer
Richard Margison is a well-known Canadian operatic tenor. He’s usually singing Puccini or Verdi, but on Monday he will sing a new Canadian work by Ottawa composer Kelly-Marie Murphy.
He tells Peter Robb why he took the assignment.
The new work is called Blue on Blue: Unthinkable Distance, Unspeakable Sorrow and it tells the sad story of the friendly-fire death of Sgt. Marc Léger in Afghanistan in 2002. More than that, though, it gives voice to the story of Richard and Claire Léger, parents of Sgt. Marc Léger. Marc was killed by a bomb dropped during a training exercise. The piece was commissioned by the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra for its 50th-anniversary season.
Q. Why did you take this role on?
A. I wanted to do this role, as I am very proud of our Armed Forces and humbled by the sacrifices they make each and every day to ensure our freedom and way of life. I was deeply touched by the story of Sgt. Marc Léger, who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Q. Do you have any personal connection to the military?
A. My father served in the Second World War in Britain and Europe.
Q. Were you familiar with the Léger family’s story?
A. I had heard of the Léger family before and their story. I first heard it all on the news and was extremely moved.
Q. When you sing you are voicing Richard Léger’s emotion. What does that mean to you?
A. Being a father myself, I cannot imagine the pain and grief that the family and Marc’s father continue to go through. It is very moving for me to be the voice of Marc’s father in this piece.
Q. Do you know the Légers? A. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting the Léger family two months ago. They are wonderful people and it was wonderful to have the time with to gain more insight into this story.