Nova Scotian contralto Portia White was the first Black Canadian concert performer to achieve international fame in the mid- 20th century, touring North America and performing in Europe while being hailed as the best classical voice of her generation. Yet despite such artistic accomplishments, her story has been erased from Canadians’ collective memory. Working against this history, Aportia Chryptych is a bold, new Black opera that sets out to reclaim Portia White’s story, evoking memories of the past as a form of political resistance. Spoken word, rap, folk songs, hip-hop, R&B, and classic opera repertoire collide in an explosive score that seeks to break down musical silos and unite artistic and cultural communities.
Haui is an award-winning director, designer, and deviser of theatre, film, dance, opera and visual arts, having worked for Stratford Festival, Canadian Opera Company, Shaw Festival, CBC, and more. Recent credits include the feature film MIXED↑ (OUTtv), associate director of Tarrell Alvin McCraney's CHOIR BOY (Canadian Stage), assistant director to Estelle Shook and Peter Hinton for Harry Somer's opera LOUIS RIEL (National Arts Centre), and shadowing Atom Egoyan on Strauss' SALOME (COC). Upcoming Haui will direct PRIVATE FLOWERS (City of Toronto/Pride TO) a film called HAPPY (Renergy Media House) and be published by Playwrights Canada Press. In 2024, Haui will direct his operatic opus Aportia Chryptych: A Black Opera for Portia White created in collaboration with Sean Mayes and Neema Bickersteth, produced by the COC and NAC National Creation Fund.