Arcady Opera Showcase (Photo courtesy of Arcady Ensemble)

Arcady Ensemble’s Opera Showcase presents the world premieres of three 20-minute operas. The three dramatic operas feature libretti by Michaela Chiste that explores emotional journeys via storytelling and melody.

The Innkeeper by Arcady musical director Ronald Beckett, The Gardener by Arcady associate composer Emma Theresa Verdonk, and The Scholars by associate composer Benjamin Gabbay will be performed by a talented ensemble of singers.

The all-Canadian showcase takes place on March 14, 2026 in historic Waterford, Ontario.

The Operas

The Innkeeper, composed by Ronald Beckett

Two worlds collide in The Innkeeper by Ronald Beckett, a tale of unexpected connection. Frederick is a stoic innkeeper, played by baritone Michael York. His once busy bar is now largely empty and silent. Jasmine, portrayed by soprano Cristina Pisani, enters the Inn and it changes both of their lives. She’s a disillusioned jazz singer with a stalled career, and she comes into the Inn on her way to an audition. Driven by melody and emotion, the two voices sing together, and both lost souls rediscover their passion for life.

The Scholars, composed by Benjamin Gabbay

The Scholars, features Benjamin Gabby’s innovative music in the story of four students who get together for a night of studying. Mary is an idealistic soprano, portrayed by Daniela Agostino. She loves learning as a joyful exercise. She’s contrasted by restless Albert, portrayed by baritone Christopher Pitre-McBride, who is afraid of the monotony, and questions the purpose of endless learning. Pragmatic Agatha, played by mezzo-soprano Mairi Demings, views learning as a practical response to humanity’s imperfection. Reflective Victor, sung by tenor Cameron Mazzei, wonders whether the knowledge or the road to get there is more important. The chamber opera includes arias, recitative, and ensemble pieces as the four students debate their views.

The Gardener, composed by Emma Verdonk

The character of Marco (baritone Anthony Rodrigues) is at the heart of The Gardener. He steps into a flowery garden, looking for peace and sanctuary, but begins to hear voices that come from his past. They include his lost friend Zinnia (soprano Vivien Illion), sweet and child-like, who reminds him of their shared beginnings. Heliotrope (soprano Michaela Chiste) is a former love whose wounds have lost their sting. Carnation (mezzo-soprano Michal Aloni), is Marco’s mother, who offers him unconditional love and wisdom. The garden of flowers becomes a place where love, regret, forgiveness, and acceptance come to life.

Ronald Beckett’s opera Ruth:

Composers & Librettist

Ronald Beckett, composer

Ronald Beckett is the Artistic Director and founder of Arcady, and a composer. His works have been performed by ensembles throughout Ontario, including three operas, works for chorus, solo piano and organ, along with chamber and large-scale orchestral music. His opera Ruth has been staged about 20 times since its premiere in 1996.

He established Arcady to offer young musicians a bridge between their student days and careers as performing professionals. Along with performances, Arcady has released three CD recordings on the Crescendo label.

Ron is a graduate from McMaster University in History and Theory, summa cum laude, and an Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music (Piano Performance). He also earned a Master of Music degree in composition from the University of Western Ontario.

Emma Verdonk, composer

Emma Verdonk graduated from from Wilfrid Laurier University with a Bachelor of Music in Community Music, and earned a Masters in Music Composition from Western University. Her compositions have been performed by the Laurier Symphony Orchestra, the Penderecki String Quartet, Arcady Ensemble, and various chamber ensembles, and she has written more than 200 children’s songs for the Musical Safari program at Queen Street Music School in Cambridge.

She is a former Emerging Artist with Arcady, and currently works as the assistant to the director.

Emma has released an album of music for solo piano under the artist name Emma Theresa.

Benjamin Gabbay, composer

Benjamin Gabbay earned an ARCT in piano performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music, along with a Bachelor’s and a Master’s of Music in Composition from the University of Toronto. At UofT, he is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Composition. Benjamin is a member of the Canadian Music Centre and the Canadian League of Composers.

Benjamin’s compositions have garnered accolades, including a win at the St. James Cathedral composition competition, and honourable mentions at the Amadeus Choir International Seasonal Song-Writing Competition and Ruth Watson Henderson Choral Competition.

His music has been commissioned by the Mississauga Summer Chorale, and received the Faculty of Music Graduating Award (2023), the Lothar Klein Memorial Fellowship (2020), the Gwendolen M Grant Music Scholarship (2019), among other grants and awards, at the University of Toronto.

Michaela Chiste, librettist

Soprano and multidisciplinary artist Michaela Chiste earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from University of Alberta and a Master of Music in Vocal Literature and Performance from Western University. Originally from Alberta, she has performed as a soloist across Canada and internationally, and co-founded the Echo North duet with pianist Theodore Chow.

As a poet and librettist, her work have been set to music by composers Ronald Beckett (Songs of Fracture, Bouquet, The City), Dylan Langan (The Dino Opera), and Benjamin Schmalz (Maybe).

Michaela serves as an arts administrator to Arcady and Opera on the Avalon.

Arcady Opera Showcase

The Arcady Opera Showcase takes place March 14 at the Waterford Old Town Hall (76 Main St. S. Waterford, ON).

Find tickets and other show details [HERE].

Tickets can also be purchased by phone at 519-428-3185.

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Anya Wassenberg

Anya Wassenberg is the Toronto City Editor at Ludwig Van. Previously, she was a freelance writer with a specialty in culture and travel for three decades, and a creative writing instructor for Ontariolearn.