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MORGAN LE FAY

 

A musical based on Arthurian legend.

Written and composed by Mary Knickle

In association with the Maritime Concert Opera
 

Music Direction and Piano Score: Andre Haines
Accompanist: Heather Kristenson

Performers:
Amber Bishop, Reid Campbell, Madelyn Chiasson, Katherine Heim, Claire Jaworski, Kristen Lawlor, David Major, Cynthia Myers, Steve Owen, Amy Reitsma, Pam Rogers,
Karen Runge, Nina Scott-Stoddart Amy Smith
and Kristopher Snarby


 

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From Arthurian legend we enter the world of Morgan le Fay, King Arthur’s half sister and full sister to Elaine and Morgase.  Historically Morgan has been called a witch, sorcerer and evil hag but old Celtic writings tell us differently.  

In the musical of Morgan le Fay, we enter the latter part of King Arthur’s rule. Morgan has retreated to Avalon, an ancient mystical island that worships the goddess. One day Morgan is visited by her sister Elaine whom she has not seen in many years. Something is going on in Britain. Women are being persecuted. Villages burned. Morgan’s name and the name of Avalon are being called evil. Morgan must leave Avalon and save Britain. There is an evil plot to destroy Avalon by Arthur’s nephew Mordred, who has taken over Britain while Arthur is away. 
 

Will Morgan be successful?  Will Avalon survive? 

Morgan le Fay is a Musical based on Arthurian legend.  In it women with the special abilities called ‘the power’ hide in Avalon. Merlin is watching from the edges and a misguided Bishop along with Arthur’s twisted nephew Mordred fight to control Britain, enslave the druids, ruin Arthur’s reputation, and destroy Avalon and Morgan Le Fay.

COMPOSER NOTES

For many years I have been captivated by Grail legend and King Arthur lore. I’ve climbed the magical mountain of Carn Igli (where the crystals in the rocks were frozen in time and your compass points south instead of north) - this is the birth place of the stones of stone hedge before they were dragged 1000 miles to their present home, to the small hill of Glastonbury where it is fabled that King Arthur and Gwinevere are buried and one of the sites for the Island of Avalon. I traveled to Wales to the Saint Govan’s head to a church carved into the cliffs of Southern Wales. This is the legendary abode of the Gawain of King Arthur. It dates back to 500AD and the grail is rumoured to be hidden in the one of the nearby caves (and I did take a gander in a few!). It is during this research and travel I came upon the story of Morgan le Fay and learned of the great difference between the Celtic writings as compared to the records of Medieval monks. The Celtics called her a healer. The monks an evil sorceress. To this day mothers in Wales warn their children not to go out into the dark or the Morgana will get you. This is Morgan Le Fay’s voice before it was changed. It is her story back to a time when Britain was changing structurally and spiritually.

PAST PERFORMANCES

November 4th, 2011, Pearl Theatre, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
November 5th, 2011, The Music Room, Halifax, Nova Scotia

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