Of The Sea and other Black operas are changing the face of classical music

Kanika Ambrose is no stranger to attention; as a playwright and librettist, Ambrose has already debuted original work at stages in Canada and the United States, and as a screenwriter she is enrolled in the Canadian Film Centre’s Bell Media Prime Time TV Program.

So it might be surprising to note how excited she is on a Wednesday evening for a show already on its second night. But for Ambrose, this performance has special significance.

“I wanted Black folks to see themselves in opera and have space to enjoy opera,” she said. “And I hope that’s what happens tonight.”

At that moment she was at Toronto’s