Room of Keys is a new play by David James Brock. Tom Diamond directs the performance, which features actor-pianist Adam Sherkin in a hybrid of play and recital.
Both the play and the recital are based on Bartók’s Bluebeard. Performances take place April 9 to 12 at the nanoSTAGE, and a noon-hour show as part of the Canadian Opera Company’s Free Concert series on April 16.
Personnel
David James Brock
Playwright, screenwriter, poet, and opera librettist David James Brock is based in Toronto, where he is a professor at Humber Polytechnic’s Bachelor of Creative and Professional Writing program.
Accolades for his work include the 2011 Herman Voaden Canadian National Playwriting Award for his play Wet, and five Dora Mavor Moore nominations for his play-opera hybrid a million billion pieces (Young People’s Theatre).
Brock has created opera text and song lyrics for Noise Opera, Tapestry New Opera, Young People’s Theatre, the Canadian Art Song Project, Write off The Keyboard, FAWN Chamber Creative, Tankcrimes Records, the Paul Dresher Ensemble, and the University of Notre Dame.
He’s written two poetry collections, released by Wolsak & Wynne publishers. As a screenwriter, co-wrote the screenplay and songs for Mother of All Shows, which won the award for outstanding narrative feature at the 2023 Art of Brooklyn Film Festival and garnered a Canadian Screen Award nomination. Together with collaborators Melissa D’Agostino and composer Rebecca Everett, he wrote the animated film The Christmas Witch Trial of La Befana, which stars Anjelica Huston, and will premiere in 2026.
Adam Sherkin
Pianist, composer, and actor Adam Sherkin studied music at The Glenn Gould School, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Music, followed by the Royal College of Music in London, UK, where he earned a Master of Music degree. He’s worked as an instructor in piano at Toronto’s Royal Conservatory, and at The New School in New York City.
Today, he’s the founder and managing director of Piano Lunaire, an organization that looks to create unique experiences for concertgoers. Piano Lunaire presents recitals in Toronto and New York on the dates of the full moon. Focused on contemporary classical music, the organization has commissioned several works from composers.
Sherkin has also worked with a number of other organizations and ensembles. As a performer, he was appeared at the Four Seasons Centre, the Toronto Centre for the Arts, the Music Gallery, Glenn Gould Studio, St Martin-in-the Fields, Covent Garden and the Royal Albert Hall.
He began composing music while still a student, training with Alexander Rapoport, Svetlana Maksimovic and Jack Behrens. He premiered his work Three Preludes at the Park Lane Group’s Composers Symposium in the UK in 2003. Other music of his premiered at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, The King’s Lynn Festival (Norfolk), at St James Piccadilly and the National Portrait Gallery, London.
Since returning to Canada following his studies, he’s premiered several of his works for piano and various ensembles, including his Terra Incognita, which the National Youth Orchestra of Canada performed on tour in 2005.
Sherkin performs his Tagish Fires, Op.21 No. 1: “Octania” in 2023:
The Play
“I hate music.”
After his father dies, a man finds clues in his estate. They lead him to a secret, abandoned music shop.
“Maybe this is his joke.”
Through seven instruments — from a plastic toy to harmonium to a Bösendorfer Grand — and his memories, he travels through their history, one that is both shared and divided.
But, the music isn’t always beautiful, and silence also plays a role. Brock’s psycho-drama takes the story of Duke Bluebeard and his wife Judith and puts it into a 21st century reality.
In his synopsis, playwright Brock says that he was inspired by Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle — using seven instruments instead of seven rooms to unlock the mystery. Brock uses Bartók’s music along with new original compositions by Adam Sherkin in their premiere in the one-act play.
“I think…we must love the music we become.”
Greenie, the son left behind, is played by actor and pianist, Adam Sherkin. Musically, he’ll be playing two toy pianos, a melodic, harmonium, organ, a synth, and a grand piano throughout the evening.
The 15-minute play culminates in a recital of Bartók’s music.
The Recital
The composer wrote the pieces for piano Sherkin will play during the recital portion during the same time frame as he wrote his Bluebeard’s Castle, around 1911. Sherkin’s own Allegro Benevolo was conceived as a companion piece to Bartók’s Allegro Barbaro.
By Bartók:
- Allegro Barbaro, BB 63 (Sz. 49, composed 1911)
- From: Seven Sketches, Op. 9b; BB 54 (“Vázlatok”, Sz. 44, composed 1908-10), No. 5 Romanian Folk Melody and No. 3 Lento
- Romanian Dance, Op. 8a, No. 1: Allegro vivace (composed 1910)
- Four Dirges, Op. 9a, BB 58 (Sz. 45, composed 1909-10)
- Three Burlesques, Op. 8c, BB 55 (Sz. 47, composed 1908-11)
By Adam Sherkin:
- Allegro Benevolo (After Bartok), Op. 45 by Adam Sherkin (b. 1982) world premiere, a Piano Lunaire commission
Performances
You’ll have multiple opportunities to experience the play-recital.
- On April 9, 10 and 2 at the nanoSTAGE, with a talk-back with the writer and director on April 10 — information [HERE].
The nanoSTAGE: 1001 R Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M6H 1M1 (down the south laneway).
- On April 16 as part of the Canadian Opera Company’s Free Concert Series — information [HERE].
Are you looking to promote an event? Have a news tip? Need to know the best events happening this weekend? Send us a note.
#LUDWIGVAN
Get the daily arts news straight to your inbox.
Sign up for the Ludwig Van Toronto e-Blast! — local classical music and opera news straight to your inbox HERE.
