Scaling the Heights with Gould’s Wall

07/14/22 • 44 min

New from Tapestry Opera, Gould’s Wall is a contemporary opera from Canadian composer Brian Current. This audacious work invokes Glenn Gould’s dizzying pursuit of artistic perfection, defying expectations as well as gravity by literally shifting the plane of reality from horizontal to vertical. Performed in The Royal Conservatory’s atrium, Gould’s Wall runs from August 4th to August 12th, 2022 in Toronto.

We spoke with the team behind the opera about the historical wall, the creative process and its challenges, and Gould’s presence throughout the work. Featuring composer Brian Current, librettist Liza Balkan, director Philip Akin, and Tapestry Opera’s Artistic Director, Michael Hidetoshi Mori, this special conversation contemplates art in its highest forms. It is also the first in our new series of GlennGould@90 podcasts celebrating the 90th anniversary of Gould’s birth in 2022.

TAPESTRY OPERA:

TAPESTRY OPERA:

Previous Episode

Laurie Anderson & Bob Ezrin: An Encore

In a special encore presentation, we’re highlighting one of our most popular episodes with Laurie Anderson and Bob Ezrin, originally published in February 2021.

Two of the most transformative musical forces of our time—Laurie Anderson and super-producer Bob Ezrin—sit down for a talk with host Brian Levine. This intimate conversation is one of old friends reminiscing on career highlights, the creative passions that drive them and, of course, their shared love of Lou Reed. Listen to Laurie and Bob’s remarkable stories of days past, thoughtful perspectives on our current moment, and plans for future collaboration.

LAURIE ANDERSON:

BOB EZRIN:

THE GLENN GOULD FOUNDATION:

Next Episode

François Girard & Don McKellar: 32 Short Memories of a Film Classic

Join us for an inside look at the making of a Canadian film classic, Thirty-Two Short Films About Glenn Gould, which was shot 30 years ago. Renowned film, theatre and opera director François Girard is joined by actor, screenwriter and director Don McKellar as they reveal the creative process behind one of the most memorable and structurally daring works about a musician ever committed to film—their inimitable portrait of Glenn Gould. Listen to their conversation on why Glenn Gould continues to be a powerful artistic presence in their lives and imaginations, four decades after his death. This episode continues our series of GlennGould@90 podcasts celebrating the 90th anniversary of Gould’s birth in 2022.

FRANÇOIS GIRARD:

DON MCKELLAR: