La Reine-garҫon: Philosophy, Gender, Opera

From January 31 to February 15, 2025, the Canadian Opera Company (COC) will be mounting the Canadian composer Julien Bilodeau’s new opera, La Reine-garçon, with a libretto by Michel Marc Bouchard. It focuses on Queen Christina of Sweden, and her interactions with the philosopher René Descartes, whom she invited to Stockholm in late 1649.

This one-day symposium will explore how La Reine-garçon is grounded in Cartesian philosophy and contemporary theories of gender and performance.

Panels on Queen Christina and René Descartes; on prior representations of Christina in the arts; on gender and opera; and on the creation of this new Canadian opera.

Program

9:15-9:30—Welcome

9:30-10:30—Christina and Descartes: History and Philosophy

• Marleen Rozemond, Professor of Philosophy, University of Toronto
• Alison Smith, Professor of History, University of Toronto
• Chair: Donald Ainslie, Professor of Philosophy, University of Toronto

10:30-11:00—Break

11:00-12:00—Representations of Christina

• Alice Maurice, Associate Professor of English and Cinema Studies, University of Toronto
• Michael Slowik, Professor of Film Studies, Wesleyan University
• Chair: Dana Seitler, Professor of English and Director, Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies

12:00-1:30—Lunch

1:30-2:30—Opera and Gender

• Jane Forner, Sessional Lecturer, Faculty of Music, University of Toronto
• Aria Umezawa, Director, Co-founder Amplified Opera
• Chair: Caryl Clark, Emeritus Professor of Music, University of Toronto

2:30-3:00—Break

3:00-4:00—Conversation with the Composer and Librettist from the Canadian Opera Company’s La Reine-garçon

• Julien Bilodeau, Composer
• Michel Marc Bouchard, Librettist
• Chair: Norbert Palej, Associate Professor of Music, University of Toronto

4:00-5:00—A Conversation with the Creative Team from the Canadian Opera Company’s La Reine-garçon

• Angela Konrad, Director
• Kirsten LeBlanc, Soprano (Queen Christine, February 7, 2025)
• Alain Coulombe (bass playing an "Assistant to Descartes")
• Chair: Johannes Debus, Music Director, Canadian Opera Company

This event is partly sponsored by the Jackman Humanities Institute's Program for the Arts.

Conference Sponsors:

Jackman Humanities Institute, University of Toronto
Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Toronto
Department of Philosophy, University of Toronto Mississauga
Department of French, University of Toronto
University College, University of Toronto
Faculty of Music, University of Toronto
Mark S. Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies, University of Toronto
Department of English, University of Toronto Scarborough

Coinciding with Symposium and opera is the screening of    Queen Christina. Join the Queer Cinema Club at Paradise Theatre on Bloor on January 20th, 2025 to bask in the glory of two true royals, Queen Christina of Sweden and Greta Garbo, as they come together as one in this incredibly queer pre-code movie from 1933! The film stars a 27-year-old Garbo as the titular 17th-century queen, a woman whose unconventional life has been scrutinized and represented from her own time to today. Her sexuality and gender have now for nearly 400 years been the subject of conjecture. And Garbo (a queer legend of history in her own right) leans into this in her fiery portrayal of her. The screening will coincide with the premiere of La Reine-garçon, running from January 31 to February 15 at the Canadian Opera Company. Peter Knegt, founder of the Queer Cinema Club, and musicologist Jane Forner and who will offer some insight into the film, the opera and the history behind both! Tickets available from the Paradise website.