Lillian Alling's Canadian operatic magic built on melodic fragments that deftly convey mood and colour

Vancouver Opera's premiere of John Estacio and John Murrell's latest creation, Lilian Alling, is now available for streaming on CBC Radio 2's Concerts on Demand.

"Lillian Allin, who is she?" asks young Jimmy (tenor Roger Honeywell) of his mother Irene (Judith Forst, in vintage form). We find out that this "mystery woman" disappeared "up north" 50 years ago. Jimmy insists on knowing the whole story, and so the tale begins, with Irene as our narrator.

The listening experience for this grand-scale opera is excellent.

Composer Estacio has used a clear, tonal harmonic pallette and has given his melodic fragments just enough shape to make the music instantly ear-friendly. The score has a similar feel to mid-20th century fare from someone like Gian Carlo Menotti, and Estacio is an excellent orchestrator, knowing exactly how to produce a desired effect without overloading the sound.

The Canadian cast, including Frédérique Vézina in the title role, is excellent. Conductor Jacques Lacombe, heading the house orchestra and chorus, delivers a crisp, engaging reading of the music.

Help yourself to a listen here.

Here is what the CBC has provided in terms of background information:

In 1927, young Lillian Alling arrives in New York City from Russia in desperate search of a man called Jozéf. Penniless, she walks across North America and into the wilds of northwestern BC, following Jozéf's elusive path. During her brave trek, she is embraced by a Norwegian farming community in North Dakota, incarcerated in Oakalla Prison Farm near Vancouver, and loved by Scotty, a lineman along BC's "telegraph trail".
 
Seeking freedom in the future but bound to a dark past, Lillian's fierce determination and alluring mystery drive her into danger and forever change the lives of everyone she meets. A cathartic scene on the banks of Skeena River reveals a shocking truth and brings Lillian face to face with destiny. Her story will take you deep into the emotional heart of love and courage.
 
Based on a true story and legend. The cast includes Frédérique Vézina as the intrepid and determined Lillian; Judith Forst as Irene, the woman who knows about Lillian's past; Roger Honeywell as Irene's son, Jimmy, and Aaron St. Clair Nicholson, as Scotty MacDonald, the man who comes to understand the heroine.

In 1927, young Lillian Alling arrives in New York City from Russia in desperate search of a man called Jozéf. Penniless, she walks across North America and into the wilds of northwestern BC, following Jozéf's elusive path. During her brave trek, she is embraced by a Norwegian farming community in North Dakota, incarcerated in Oakalla Prison Farm near Vancouver, and loved by Scotty, a lineman along BC's "telegraph trail". Seeking freedom in the future but bound to a dark past, Lillian's fierce determination and alluring mystery drive her into danger and forever change the lives of everyone she meets. A cathartic scene on the banks of Skeena River reveals a shocking truth and brings Lillian face to face with destiny. Her story will take you deep into the emotional heart of love and courage. Based on a true story and legend. The cast includes Frédérique Vézina as the intrepid and determined Lillian; Judith Forst as Irene, the woman who knows about Lillian's past; Roger Honeywell as Irene's son, Jimmy, and Aaron St. Clair Nicholson, as Scotty MacDonald, the man who comes to understand the heroine.

Vancouver Opera helped prepare a Lillian Alling background blog, which has plenty of interesting extra reading.

Here's a trailer prepared by Vancouver Opera last fall: