Ian Cusson

Ian Cusson (born August 24, 1981) is a Canadian composer of Georgian Bay Métis and French Canadian descent.[1] He is known for his operas, art songs, chamber works and orchestral music.[2]

Career

Cusson came to prominence in 2017, when he was awarded one of two prestigious new Carrefour residencies for "culturally diverse or Indigenous composers" with the National Arts Centre Orchestra of Canada.[3]

Notable operatic works include Fantasma, with text by Colleen Murphy,[4] and Of the Sea with text by Kanika Ambrose.[5] In 2021, Cusson was the recipient of SOCAN's Jan V. Matejcek Classical Music Award[6] and the Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prize.[7] The Canadian Opera Company and the National Arts Centre have announced that Cusson has been commissioned to compose an opera based on the novel Empire of Wild by Cherie Dimaline as part of their 2025 mainstage season.[8]

Cusson is a member of the Canadian Opera Company's Circle of Artists, an advisory board of indigenous artists.[9]

In late November 2025, Edmonton Opera announced the cancellation of the premiere of Cusson's forthcoming opera Indians on Vacation, after concerns were raised by local Indigenous representatives of Treaty 6 Nations.[10]

In February 2026, the COC announced their 2026-27 season including Cusson's Empire of Wild, also concerning Indigenous subjects.[11]

References

  1. ^ "Ian Cusson". Canadian Music Centre. Archived from the original on October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
  2. ^ "[Video] ▸ Musically Speaking: Alexander Shelley in conversation with Ian Cusson". nac-cna.ca. Retrieved 2023-10-16.
  3. ^ "Carrefour Composers Residencies". Simon Fraser University. 5 January 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  4. ^ Chong, Joshua (2022-02-22). "Definitely not the same old Canadian Opera Company: two world premieres and a focus on new voices revitalizes 'old-fashioned' repertoire". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  5. ^ "Opera in Canada is putting Black creatives centre stage". The Globe and Mail. 2023-03-25. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  6. ^ Ayotte, Andrea (2021-05-27). "Ian Cusson, 2021 SOCAN Award Winner!". Canadian Music Centre. Retrieved 2023-10-16.
  7. ^ genepereira (2022-05-20). "Oakville composer named one of five winners of 2021 Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prizes | inHalton". insauga. Retrieved 2023-10-16.
  8. ^ "Newswire | Canadian Opera Company and National Arts Centre commission Empire of Wild from Ian Cusson and Cherie Dimaline". my/maSCENA. 2023-09-29. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  9. ^ "COC News | Canadian Opera Company". www.coc.ca. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  10. ^ Salazar, Francisco. "Edmonton Opera Cancels Production of 'Indians on Vacation'". OperaWire. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  11. ^ "Empire of Wild, May 2027". Canadian Opera Company. 18 February 2026. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
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