Into the Little Hill

Astrolabe Musik Theatre is proud to present the Canadian premiere of UK composer George Benjamin’s chamber opera Into the Little Hill, a lyric tale in two parts.

A contemporary re-telling of the classic Pied Piper tale, Into the Little Hill tells of a mysterious stranger who rids a town of its rats, only to make its children disappear when his promised payment is withheld. Timeless and contemporary, it asks: Who do we deem as “rats” in our society? Who gets to decide? What are we willing to do to get rid of them? And what are the consequences when we refuse to “pay the piper” — refuse to accept responsibility for the outcomes of our actions?

Into the Little Hill features Chinese-Canadian mezzo-soprano Emma Parkinson, hailed as “an outstanding voice” by La Scena Musicale; soprano Heather Pawsey, acclaimed for her “stylistic versatility, clarity, range” (Halifax Chronicle Herald); and well-known Vancouver-based dancers Juolin Lee, Daria Mikhalyluk and Hana Rutka. Renowned conductor Leslie Dala (Vancouver Bach Choir, Vancouver Opera) is the Music Director, with direction and choreography by internationally-recognised Idan Cohen of Ne.Sans Opera and Dance. The lighting design is by Victoria Bell, with costume design by Elena Razlog.