Michael Mori, artistic director of Toronto's Tapestry Opera, is determined to make opera that's topical as well as fresh. That means operas set in the present day, sung in English, and often about contemporary topics. His recent opera Selfie dealt with high school bullying and a millenial obsession with technology. They're edgy performance — tough, powerful and dramatic, but relatable.

And for Metallurgy,on now at Tapestry's performance space in the Distillery District, opera's teaming up with a strange bedfellow: punk. (Well, maybe not so strange if you're a Nina Hagen aficionado, but still.) As part of Tapestry's Tap:Ex series, renowned singers Krisztina Szabó and David Pomeroy join Mike Haliechuk and Jonah Falco from Polaris Music Prize-winning punk band F--ked Up as well as celebrated pianist Jordan de Souza and others in a mash-up that documents the passion and tragedy of a relationship.

CBC Arts got in on the beginning of the collaboration, and met up again with the Metallurgy team for one of their last rehearsals — the air was heavy with anticipation and a little bit of anxiety.

Tapestry Opera presents Tap:Ex Metallurgy. With Krisztina Szabó, David Pomeroy, members of F--ed Up, more. Ernest Balmer Studio, 9 Trinity St, Studio 315, Distillery District, Toronto. Nov. 19-21. Fri 8pm; Sat 7pm, 10pm. Fri PWYC; Sat $35; $25 students, arts workers.

Watch Exhibitionists Sundays at 4:30pm (5 NT) on CBC.