The Flight of the Hummingbird
“An extraordinary opera for young audience.”
– Broadway World
“A metaphor on climate change and self-empowerment that resonates with both children and adults.”
– Times Colonist, Pedro Arrais
“The opera carries a message of hope and perseverance. […] It’s a parable about climate change, carrying the message that each person, even the smallest, can make their share of efforts to save nature, and that every gesture counts, so small be it.”
– Ludwing Van Montreal, Caroline Rodgers
The Flight of the Hummingbird is a chamber opera for the whole family. Through out the story, the animals of the forest are inspired to come together by Dukdukdiya, the hummingbird, to save their beautiful home from a raging forest fire. The opera targets ages 5 to 15 but resonates with audiences of all ages. It is a call to action positioned in the context of climate change. It expresses the power of taking small steps to achieve a big goal.
The libretto and design are by internationally renowned Haida artist Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas and by Barry Gilson. The dramaturgy is by Glynis Leyshon. The opera is based on the book Flight of the Hummingbird – A Parable for the Environment, written and illustrated by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, to help children learn about environmental issues and moral courage. This book is based on an indigenous parable from the Quechuan people of South America. This parable travelled through pre-contact trade routes to become well known within Haida culture.
The soprano aria “Song of Persistence” is part of volume 1 of the Canadian Opera Anthology.
Instrumentation: soprano, mezzo, tenor, bass baritone (or baritone) / cello / piano
Duration: 41 minute
Languages: available in English and German
Commissioned by the Vancouver Opera and the Pacific Opera Victoria.
Premiere: January 20, 2020, at Queen Alexandria Elementary in Vancouver, BC, Canada, by the Vancouver Opera and the Pacific Opera Victoria.
Official website of The Flight of the Hummingbird: www.theflightofthehummingbird.com
More information:
– The Flight of the Hummingbird by the Vancouver Opera
– The Flight of the Hummingbird by the Pacific Opera Victoria
Acknowledgement: Thank you to Eric Jones Cadieux for the revision of all the piano parts.
Interview with the creative team of The Flight of the Hummingbird
Trailer of The Flight of the Hummingbird by the Vancouver Opera and the Pacific Opera Victoria
2024, March to June | Vancouver Opera and Pacific Opera Victoria | Tour across the province of BC, Canada
2024, Mar. 16 | Opera Kelowna, Melody Courage, Yvette Nolan | Song of Persistence (aria for The Flight of the Hummingbird)
2024, Mar. 15 | Opera Kelowna, Melody Courage, Yvette Nolan | Song of Persistence (aria for The Flight of the Hummingbird)
2020, Jan. to May | Vancouver Opera and Pacific Opera Victoria | Tour of 60 concerts across the province of BC, Canada (premiere)
2019, May 4 | Vancouver Opera and Pacific Opera Victoria | The Annex, Vancouver, BC, Canada (pre-premiere public workshop)
2018, Dec. 1 | Vancouver Opera and Pacific Opera Victoria | Baumann Center, BC, Canada (pre-premiere public workshop)