Patria Patria (homeland) is the title of a cycle of music dramas that Canadian composer R. Murray Schafer has been creating over the past forty years. At the present time, ten parts of this monumental undertaking have been performed and published. Further works are in various states of creation, but enough has already been presented to reveal the series as among the most radical and challenging works to be produced within the past half century.

"There is nothing like Patria in the history of Canadian musical theatre, either in ambition, scope or mythmaking potency"

William Littler, Toronto Star September 16, 2002



Here is an overview with a brief description of each work.
Arcana Editions
 Arcana
Editions
Online catalogue of scores books & recordings
Patria Music/Theatre Projects
Patria
Music/
Theatre
Projects 

 
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News:

There will be two days of performance of R. Murray Schafer's Patria 7, ASTERION

AUGUST 10 & 11, 2013

There will be very limited space for this unique theatrical experience. Admission by donation for those chosen to attend. For a chance to receive an invitation to attend, send an email telling us why you think you should experience Asterion.

Are you an actor wishing to explore a unique form of theatre? Auditions to be hired for the performance will be held as part of the workshop process so sign up now (The workshops are also open to the public but the workshop fee will be waived for those auditioning to participate Aug 10 & 11).

 

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A S T E R I O N

This summer will see the culmination of ten years of development of the Asterion Labyrinth. You may take part in the completion of this event by participating in performance workshops to be held every weekend throughout June and July. For more information and to register, enter the labyrinth

new:

The Asterion Lecture

(a talk given by Jerrard at the TransCanada Institute - University of Guelph)

 

The Patria Board

Patria Music/Theatre Projects is looking to expand and strengthen the Board in preparation for mounting R. Murray Schafer's The Greatest Show.

In addition we are looking for a board or a company to take on the running and managing of Asterion once it is complete (by the end of next summer). This group would be a subset of the main Patria Board and as such would be able to use the charitable tax number to accept donations.

Any individuals or companies interested in either joining the Patria Board or discussing further the possibility of taking on the management of Asterion should contact Patria.

admin@patria.org

PRESIDENT: BARRY KARP

VICE PRESIDENT: WAYNE VAN DE GRAAFF

SECRETARY: BRETT SCOTT

TREASURER: CHUCK SHENKMAN

board member JOHN READ

 

R. Murray Schafer
Ottawa Citizen photo by Patrick Doyle

R. Murray Schafer and Patria Music/Theatre Projects invite you to become a member of Patria.

Join Patria now!

and help make the magic happen.

For 40 years, [Murray Schafer] has been writing a huge cycle of 12 music-theater works, collectively titled "Patria." Larger than Wagner's "Ring" cycle or Karlheinz Stockhausen's "Licht," this cycle challenges the boundaries of both music and theater. 
 Colin Eatock New York Times August 27, 2005

The most wildly imaginative and physically ambitious series of music theatre works in the history of the Canadian stage.
William Littler, Toronto Star

 

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last update:
SEPT 2012
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asterion


Asterion: A Journey through the Labyrinth

Asterion will be finished by the end of this summer. To be a part of the process, you may join us in weekend workshops throughout June and July.

register for workshops here