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For
40 years, [Murray Schafer] has been writing a huge cycle of 12 music-theater
works, collectively titled "Patria." Larger than Wagner's
"Ring" cycle or Karlheinz Stockhausen's "Licht,"
this cycle challenges the boundaries of both music and theater.
Colin Eatock New York Times August 27, 2005 The most wildly imaginative and physically ambitious series of music theatre works in the history of the Canadian stage. William Littler, Toronto Star |
Patria (homeland)
is the title of a cycle of music dramas that Canadian composer R. Murray
Schafer has been creating during the last thirty years. At the present
time, ten parts of this monumental undertaking have been performed and
published. Further works are in various states of creation, but enough
has already been presented to reveal the series as among the most radical
and challenging works to be produced within the past half century.
There is nothing like Patria in the history of Canadian musical theatre, either in ambition, scope or mythmaking potency”
William Littler, Toronto Star September 16, 2002
Here
is an overview with a brief description of each work.
 Arcana Editions Online catalogue of scores books & recordings |
 Patria Music/ Theatre Projects
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Patria newsletters
(courtesy
Claire Heistek)
June
05 (pdf 800 kb)
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Mark Twain once said, ¡§Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.¡¨ This summer, The Forest Festival will leave you breathless. The Forest Festival is a 10 day celebration of the arts and the environment. Set in the rugged splendor of the Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve, The Forest Festival invites audiences to experience the work of fabulous Canadian performers and artists in a whole new way.
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find out more
The
Palace of the Cinnabar Phoenix 
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last update:
February 2007
Approximately 1,000,000 visitors to date.
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Asterion: A Journey through the
Labyrinth
Information about the project and about plans for 2008
2007 news, Jerrard & Diana Smith
In May, we were very pleased to be among those representing Canada at the Prague Quadrennial of Scenography. We exhibited our designs for The Enchanted Forest, The Palace of the Cinnabar Phoenix and The Princess of the Stars. It was a wonderful experience and in addition we were very humbled by being nominated to receive the OISTAT honourable scenographers award.
link to the work presented at PQ07
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The Patria Design Project
Jerrard and Diana Smith, designers for the Patria works since 1981 – have assembled a document describing their involvement in the creation of the Patria cycle and sharing some drawings, photographs and thoughts.