Chinatown: An Opera Performance

Join us for an exclusive performance of musical excerpts from Chinatown, a new opera by librettist Madeleine Thien and composer Alice Ping Yee Ho, with Hoisanese co-writer Paul Yee. Featuring an introduction by curator and historian Arlene Chan.

This new opera is a story of family and neighbourhood, racism and resistance, history and tomorrow. It examines six characters, two families, and a chorus of male ghosts, from the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway to our own times. It deals with violence and despair, the Head Tax, the Chinese Exclusion Act, paper sons, and paper promise. It is a Western opera, but incorporates Chinese themes, sounds and sensibilities. And it is a love story.

The inspiration for Chinatown lies in Canada's history, a great neighbourhood and its people, and its resistance against racism — both historical, and resurgent today. Chinatown will be given its world premiere by City Opera Vancouver in September 2022, at The Vancouver Playhouse.

Note: This is an in-person event at the Appel Salon, Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge Street). This event will not-be live streamed but will be made available for later rewatching on TPL’s Youtube channel.

Check for the latest COVID-19 health and safety policies at Toronto Public Library. This information is subject to change. Please check back for the most up-to-date information before attending the event.

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Please don't print your tickets! We're trying to reduce paper waste for Appel Salon events, so please don't bother printing your ticket. We'll either scan your ticket on your smartphone or quickly find your name on our tablets and check you in.

Arrive early, meet people. The show starts at 7 pm, but doors open at 6 pm. Come early so you can chat with your fellow culture lovers, and make new friends. As with all Appel Salon events, we'll have a cash bar with a selection of beer, wine, and liquor, as well as sandwiches and snacks.

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Read More:

TPL's Chinese Canadian Archive

Asian Heritage Month - CFACI

City Opera Vancouver

Madeleine Thien, librettist and novelist

Alice Ping Yee Ho, composer and pianist

Paul Yee, historian and Hoisan translator

Arlene Chan, historian and curator

Vania Chan, soprano

Erica Iris Huang, mezzo soprano

Derek Kwan, tenor

Bobby Ho, percussion

Amely Zhou, erhu

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This event is part of our signature literary series The Appel Salon, where we host local and international authors in conversation about their new books and big ideas. The Bram & Bluma Appel Salon is a literary and cultural programming space on the second floor of the Toronto Reference Library. Check out the full lineup at tpl.ca/appelsalon.

This event is also part of TPL's Asian Heritage series.

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Accessibility at Toronto Public Library. We are committed to making our content accessible to as many Torontonians as possible. Please call or email us if you are Deaf or have a disability and would like to request accommodation to participate in this program. Please let us know as far in advance as possible and we will do our best to meet your request. At least three weeks’ notice is preferred. Phone 416-393-7099 or email [email protected]

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Bram & Bluma Appel Salon, Toronto Reference Library, Toronto, Canada