One night only – on Monday, November 30, 2026 – Soundstreams presents Orison as part of their ongoing TD Encounters series. This Encounters concert presents a music theatre piece in development, created in collaboration and performed with an early electronic instrument and current tech. Presented as a free concert at Hugh’s Room Live.
Science fiction, spirituality & ‘alien-ness’ combine
Orison (prayer) is a musical collaboration from musician Daniel Áñez and composer James O’Callaghan, connecting science fiction imagery with spirituality and the idea of ‘alien-ness’ in all of its senses: social, cultural, psychological, extra-terrestrial. The work centres the unique early electronic instrument, the ondes Martenot*, as a jumping-off point to interact with synthesized soundscapes, field recordings, techno, poetic text and documentary-like spoken confessionals.
Featuring Ánez on the incredibly evocative ondes Martenot, with O’Callaghan on electronics, this Encounters event presents the music at its current stage of development as part of a new music theatre work. Audiences will experience fragments, improvisatory excerpts and other material from this long-term work in progress, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the creative process as the piece continues to evolve.
A discussion and audience Q&A with Ánez and O’Callaghan will follow the performance.
* An early electronic instrument that combines a ring tied to a wire, played to create wavering sounds, with a keyboard capable of producing a vibrating sound effect.
About the TD Encounters series
Soundstreams’ TD Encounters is a free event series that always offers something different. These events are equal parts performance, artist discussion and Q&A, and give audiences the opportunity to engage with artists and their work in an intimate and relaxed setting.
Soundstreams Founding Artistic Director Lawrence Cherney shares, “Encounters is truly a voyage of discovery, an unparalleled opportunity to engage with both the mystery and the joy of the creative process. Not only are audiences invited to discover fresh, new works inspired by a spectrum of themes, but they’re offered a rare chance to engage directly with the artists that created and performed those works in an intimate setting. Encounters is a chance to gather in-person as a community, with curiosity and a spirit of adventure, and be completely absorbed by music that reflects the beauty and complexity of our city, our country, and our world.”
About Soundstreams
Founded in 1982, Soundstreams is a global leader in the presentation of innovative, carefully curated and immersive musical experiences. It is committed to showcasing the work of living Canadian and global composers/musicians, bringing to focus contemporary conversations to its communities. Since its inception, it’s introduced audiences to works from some of the finest and most groundbreaking composers of our age, from R. Murray Schafer to Nicole Lizée.
(Photo credits: Soundstreams. Orison.)
Event details
Presented by: Soundstreams
Type of event: music theatre work in progress
Composer: James O’Callaghan
Performers: Daniel Áñez (ondes Martenot) & James O’Callaghan (electronics)
Date: Monday, November 30, 2026
Start time: 7:30 PM ET
Duration: 2 hours
Cost: Free – reservation required (please see the booking link below)
Location: Hugh’s Room Live, 296 Broadview Ave., Toronto, ON, M4M 2G7
Booking link: Reserve your free ticket here.
Contact Details: Soundstreams, 20 St. Joseph Street, Toronto, ON, M4Y 1J9, Canada; info@soundstreams.ca, soundstreams.ca
Accessibility: Hugh’s Room Live is not currently fully accessible. There are steps into the venue and a small staircase from the lobby into the main hall. The staircases are wide, with railings. The washrooms are a full flight of stairs to the lower level. Find info on their accessibility updates here.