LOOK! An Opera in 9 Paintings Composed by Oliver Whitehead Story and Lyrics by Oliver Whitehead and Linda Nicholas with Paul Grambo, baritone Sonja Gustafson, soprano June 3, 2018 at Museum London ARRIVING Christine Why? Why did I ask him here? LOOK! It was a bad idea. An Opera in 9 Paintings What made me think that he’d be interested in art? He’s not the type, he doesn’t even dress the part. But then again, who knows? Composer: Oliver Whitehead We’ve never been that close. He’s always been a man of mystery to me. Story and Lyrics: Oliver Whitehead & Not someone that I’d ever regularly see. Linda Nicholas Let alone go on a date. Just my ex-boyfriend’s ex-roommate. I’m taking an art course— Soprano: Sonja Gustafson Does that make me wise? More likely I’ll seem like a fool in his eyes. Baritone: Paul Grambo Will he see what I want him to see? Will he listen to me? Piano: Steve Holowitz If I open my heart, Am I ready for what I might find? Cello: Christine Newland Or will my own mask make me blind? Painting # 9 Lyrics: Claire Whitehead He’s taking time from some conference he’s in town for. But what’s his plan? What did he want to track me down for? Producer: Mary Malone This whole thing’s got me quite perplexed. I should have just ignored his text. Creative Consultant: Adam Corrigan Holowitz When I come here, it’s nice to be alone. Lighting Designer: Mark Mooney No need to talk, just taking time, just taking time. Then, how sublime, Videographer: Greg DeSouza The paintings mine. I own it when I look. Transition photos: Mary Malone & Oliver Do others feel the same? Whitehead The art we see, we also half-create. No telling how, No time but now, Here in this place. He’s seven minutes late! This is a hopeless date! Just one more minute and I’m out of here, I swear. And if I wreck his day, so what, why should I care? Marc Hey! 2 Christine There’s a feeling I can’t explain. Hey….Hey Marc It’s like being back in a far-off time. Marc Christine Hey Christine. You’re looking great! Well, let’s take some time To look at some art Christine That was painted here in London. You too…thank you. You’ve changed Marc Marc Sure. I grew up here -- the Forest City! It’s been years. And a city of art, It’s famous, I know that. Christine I had a few friends How was the conference? Who studied at Beal. And who hasn’t heard of Paul Peel? Marc You know…I almost met you once Well, you know When you were playing In that band you had at Saunders. Christine It was your big gig Is this alright with you? At Call the Office. Meeting here, I mean? Marc Christine Well,to be honest, I was thinking of the Dairy Queen. Oh my God, so long ago! You never told me that. Christine It’s just that I’m taking a course, Marc And there might be some things here Well, we never talked much That you would like to see. When you were seeing Evan. Maybe it’s time to make up for that now. Marc Museums are OK with me, Christine As long as there’s nothing too abstract. Ok, here’s a piece of history for you. The art that I like 1 Is art with a story. Art about the past. Painting of Elmwood Avenue with View of Battles…heroes, Normal School, 1904 Canadian history, by John Munnoch Settlers and natives. Just like that artist I’ve seen in Toronto: Marc What’s his name? What’s this place? Is it in London? Kroger…Kruger…Krieger? Christine Christine Yes, look! Elmwood Avenue. Krieghof. Marc Marc Really? That’s the one! When I look at his paintings Christine Yes, look. There’s the Normal School. 3 Marc 2 Well, that’s kind of strange. It doesn’t look much like the street that I know. The London Six, 1984 In fact there’s no street there at all. by John B. Boyle Christine Marc No, you see, Now here’s a different story. the street runs beside it. That must be The Green. Christine Or several different stories. Marc Well, to me it looks more like Marc some strange piece of farmland, This is the London that I recognize. with a piece of South London stuck in at the back! Christine Christine But do you recognize the people there? But there’s history here. You said you like history. Marc Art with a story. Why d’you ask that? Marc Christine Yes, but I want it real! Well, you said you had friends at Beal. This just doesn’t ring true. This painter’s trying to paint like some Brit from 50 Marc years in the past. I don’t remember much. A colonial dream, With shepherds and cows. Christine It was out of date then, Did they ever talk about a band of artists And it’s out of date now. who played strange sounds on things that they made? Christine When all’s said and done, Marc I have to agree. That rings a bell. Let’s find something new. Tell me about them. This does nothing for me. Christine both Deep in the heart of London, When all’s said and done, In nineteen sixty-five, We have to agree. Let’s find something new. Marc There’s lots more to see. Two years before Sergeant Pepper, Christine A strange beast came alive. Their instruments were infernal, To hear and to look at too. Marc Frankenstein monsters stuck together, With nuts and bolts and glue. 4 [Chorus] Marc They made no music. He looks like he might hit me. It had no meaning. There was no rhythm, Christine No melody, He looks like he might paint me. No harmony, no hits, No Sergeant Pepper. Marc I wouldn’t wrestle that arm for my life. Now I remember! both both Creative spirits N-I-H-I-L-I-S-T From the present and the past, Nihilist Spasm Band! Summoned to attend some cosmic conference. Standing on that corner Christine Where the busker plays in summer. Everything London wasn’t Was exactly what they were. Christine Moving to no music. Marc And London loved them and loathed them. Marc But they refused to disappear. No melody. both Christine They got invitations No meaning, To destroy the nations. They took Manhattan, both Tokyo, Paris. Pure anarchy. Then they took Berlin. Christine Marc There’s something strange about the sky. But those six guys Are not all in the band. Marc Or am I missing something here? Yes, you could say a flying car is strange. Held up by no noticeable means. Christine Only the rest of London history. Christine Tied into the story. A puzzle for the viewer. Marc Marc Sucked into the vortex. The secret of the picture. Strolling players on a painted stage. D’you want to guess? Christine Christine There’s Paul Peel out there on the left. No, go on, spill the beans. Marc Marc Some homeless drifter, you might guess. You know they once made cars In London long ago. Christine The greatest one was called The London Six. And see Jack Chambers on his right. 5 Christine Christine We could have been another Motor City. Why does it matter, Any more than any other piece of art? Marc But now we’re just Detroit’s baby brother. Marc They once had it all, Why spend public money on this? The cars, the music too. Who decides? Christine Christine General Motors, Chevrolet, You’re missing the point. Marc Marc Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye. It’s a sham, pure and simple. They’re just trying to hoax us. Christine But we have one thing that Detroit has not. Christine N-I-H-I-L-I-S-T Look carefully and maybe you’ll see something that Nihilist Spasm Band! you missed. 3 You just can’t see a story. Lethbridge Lodge Variations: Marc Light Grey/Cremnitz White, 1996 I know what I’m looking at. AKA “The White Painting” I’m looking at nothing. by Doug Kirton Christine Marc You just don’t understand abstraction. Hm—hmm-hmm-hmm Marc both Please! Gimme a break! Hmm-hmm-hmm I’ve got a better colour on my bathroom wall. Marc Christine I don’t get it. Just listen to me, It’s….. Try to see what I see. I want you to try. Christine Well, it’s…. Well, it’s…. Marc There’s no point in trying to convince me, Marc It’s a waste of time. It’s just nothing. Christine Christine No, you have to take time. No, it’s, no, it’s, no, There’s something, there’s something, there’s Marc something about it. It’s not worth it. Marc Christine No, really, I just don’t see it. Just think of the time that it takes How much did that cost? To create a work of art. 6 Marc No, no, no. Christine Hah! Are you kidding? And see! All I need is thirty seconds and a roller. Where’s the skill? Marc I still don’t get it. Christine Just don’t….. No, no, I’ll show you. 4 Will you let me show you? Spring Series # 1: Lake Huron, 1994 Marc AKA “Every Summer” What? Sure I guess.