Toronto composer Homa Samiei will be presenting Siyavash, a first look at a new opera in development. The presentation of the bilingual opera will take place on July 24 at Toronto’s Heliconian Hall.
Siyavash is inspired by Shahnameh, an epic poem written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi. Written between c. 977 and 1010 CE, it is considered to be a cornerstone of Iranian culture.
Homa Samiei is also the Artistic Director of Chaam Project, a musical initiative based at the Chaam Art Centre with an artistic focus on cross-cultural expression and performance that blends Persian musical heritage and Western classical and contemporary music. She is currently the Musician-In-Residence at the Heliconian Club of Toronto.
The July 24 event presents the results of a week-long workshop of the contemporary opera, which explores themes that include justice, integrity, and the abuse of power.
Who Is Siyavash?
Siyavash is one of the central characters in Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh. He is lauded for qualities that include integrity, wisdom, and a steadfast commitment to truth and justice.
In the story, he maintains his innocence in the face of false accusations, a symbol of staying true to principles against the misuse of power and adversity. It’s a story of love and sacrifice, and the tensions between personal integrity and the pressures brought by powerful forces.
As a cultural icon, he has endured as a symbol of moral courage in Persian culture.
Public Presentation
The performance, developed with a creative team, features soloists, a chorus, accompaniment by piano and clarinet. It will be a first presentation of the work before it goes on to its next stage of development.
The workshop artists include:
- Homa Samiei – Composer
- Banafsheh Taherian – Librettist and Persian narrator
- Mabel Wonnacott – Director
- Milad Bagheri – Siyavash
- Ellita Gagner – Storyteller
- Shaghayegh Bagheri – Soudabeh
- Shahriar Aslani – Key Kavous
- Vivian Lang Chen – Piano
- Yalda Ehsani – Clarinet
- Chaam Choir Ensemble – Chorus
Composer’s Statement
Composer and pianist Homa Samiei writes,
“Siyavash is a new bilingual opera inspired by one of the most enduring stories from Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh. Rather than simply retelling the epic, the opera explores timeless questions of innocence and integrity in the face of power, the fragility of justice, exile, and the moral choices that define us.
“The libretto, written by Banafsheh Taherian, is based on verses from Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh and is performed in Persian. Alongside it, a storyteller sings the English translation, guiding audiences through the narrative while preserving the poetry, musicality, and emotional depth of the original text. This dialogue between Persian and English invites audiences from diverse backgrounds into one of the foundational stories of Persian literature while honouring the beauty of Ferdowsi’s language.”
The Details
The event takes place on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Heliconian Hall, with a reception at 7 p.m., followed by the performance at 7:30 p.m.
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