World Premiere of A Synonym for Love at The Gladstone Hotel

A Synonym for Love is a tantalizing, sexy opera, set in the grounds of The Gladstone Hotel. Presented by Volcano Theatre and Classical Music Consort (CMC), the performance is a modernized English libretto based on the trials of love. Accompanied by a live Baroque orchestra playing period instruments, guests are split into groups of 3, travelling through the hallways, bedrooms, bathrooms and bars of the Gladstone Hotel, in the footsteps of their chosen character. 

We got a chance to share a table with their librettist, Deborah Pearson [pictured below] who gave us the scoop on her involvement with the project. Founder of the award-winning Forest Fringe, she adapted the libretto nuanced along the lines of male vs female, right vs wrong, influenced by the nature of a cheating heart. 

This unique "site-specific" opera, A Synonym for Love, previews August 19, and runs August 20-31. Not only do we highly encourage going, we warn you that its 85-minute run will feel like 20. Time flies when you're having fun, and goes into warp speed as you're entertained by succulent scenarios, mostly taking place in a boudoir where the action happens. Will the lovers consummate? Will there be a fair amount of swearing, buggery and perhaps empathy for the characters that some of us have played before?

It is true, love is unfair. You'll be left humming it's glorious ending sequence as you walk off into a Queen West night.

A Synonym for Love is directed by Ross Manson, musical direction by Ashiq Aziz, librettist Deborah Pearson, scenic designer Julie Fox, lighting designer Douglas Morum with singers Emily Atkinson (Soprano, New York/London), Scott Belluz (Counter Tenor, Toronto) and Tracy Smith-Bessette (Soprano, Montreal) and fourteen musicians from Classical Music Consort playing period baroque instruments.

Guests of A Synonym for Love can pre-purchase a prix fixe dinner from The Gladstone Hotel to be enjoyed before or after the performance. Seatings are at 5:30pm or 8:30pm and include an appetizer, a main course, and a dessert selected from the Gladstone's full menu. Additionally,  all ticket buyers will receive a discount code for a night at The Gladstone, valid for the evening of their performance. For more information, call 1-800-838-3006 .