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Against the Grain Theatre, often abbreviated as AtG, is a Canadian opera company based in
Toronto, Ontario.
History
AtG was founded in 2010 by
Joel Ivany, who was the company's artistic director until 2023.[1][2] They are responsible for the production of the film "Messiah/Complex" and the ongoing Opera Pub series.[3][4][5]
AtG is a Canadian experimental opera company dedicated to creating vocal works and films staged in surprising locations, with an emphasis on storytelling and artistic experiences.[6] Their performances have given them notable recognition and have been featured by the
NYTimes and the
BBC along with coverage from across Canada by
CBC National,
The Globe and Mail,
Toronto Star,
Macleans,
Chatelaine.[7][8][9][10][11]
Notable events
Year
Events
2010-2011
An Unexpected Evening of Shakespeare is performed at Toronto’s
Heliconian Hall[12]
AtG returns in December with Messiah, which earns the company the
Dora Award for Outstanding Performance Ensemble.[27]
2016-2017
In November, AtG stages Ayre, the bold, original work by
Osvaldo Golijov.[28]
A little too cozy is staged and receives a Dora Award nomination.
The
Canadian Opera Company announces AtG as the first-ever company–in–residence in the history of Canada’s largest opera organization.[29]
AtG Records releases its first album, "Ayre: Live."[38][34]
AtG, the
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and
CBC Music collaborate to present a national tour of
La Bohème in bars across Canada. A feature in The Globe and Mail chronicles the ambitious and experimental cross-Canada opera trek, hailing the tour as "groundbreaking."[39]
2020-2021
In January, AYRE is performed at the 21C music festival at Toronto’s Koerner Hall.[40]
Messiah/Complex also earns international media attention and is featured by the
NYTimes. The NYTimes calls AtG’s Messiah/Complex "A Messiah for the Multitudes, Freed from History’s Bonds."[41]
Messiah/Complex receives a
JUNOS nomination in the category of Classical Album of the Year, Large Ensemble.[43][44]
Awards and nominations
Against the Grain Theatre has received awards, including the
Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Production in 2014 and 2017, and the 2022 Awards for Digital Excellence in Opera by
OPERA America.[45]
AtG has received over 25 Dora nominations and won multiple categories for numerous productions.