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A visionary song cycle by acclaimed Canadian artist Rick Maddocks, Blue Horse Opera is a bold fusion of indie, folk, classical music, and dance, drawing inspiration from the climate emergency and the cinematic landscapes of spaghetti westerns. Maddocks, known for his evocative storytelling and musical innovation, performs this original song cycle accompanied by some of Vancouver’s finest musicians and dancers.
The production features a rich and eccentric musical palette, including twangy guitar, soprano vocals, trumpet, and flamenco dance, all seamlessly interwoven through a lyrical narrative that explores both environmental and emotional depths.
After the song cycle (and a brief intermission) enjoy one of the classic horse operas that inspired it: Sergio Sollima’s left wing spaghetti western, The Big Gundown (1967). Lee van Cleef is the bounty hunter on the trail of a man who raped and killed a 13-year-old girl (Thomas Milian). The film features one of Ennio Morricone’s most expansive scores.
Rick Maddocks – vocals and guitar
Maria Avila – flamenco dance
JP Carter – trumpet
Dory Hayley – soprano vocals
Stephen Lyons – drums
James Meger – bass
Tyson Naylor – keyboards
Jon Wood – electric guitar, lap steel
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One of the best spaghetti westerns out there… In the light of current events (especially in the United States), the film seems all the more relevant today.
José Sarmiento-Hinojosa, Senses of Cinema
It’s a wonderful film, rich with style and loaded with surprises, with a fluid storytelling touch that brings substance to a genre that’s often concerned solely with appearance.
Brian Orndorf, Bluray.com
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Sept 21
7:30 pm
VIFF Centre, VIFF Cinema
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Credits
Producer
Tulio Demicheli, Alberto Grimaldi
Screenwriter
Sergio Donati, Sergio Sollima
Cinematography
Carlo Carlini
Editor
Gaby Peñalba
Original Music
Ennio Morricone
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