Evening Program - Yourcenar - Une île de passions

COPRODUCTION

CHAMPAGNE / DORION & BLAIS

YOURCENAR UNE ÎLE DE PASSIONS

PROGRAMMING PARTNERS

AUGUST 4 & 6, 2022

SALLE PI ERRE- M ERCU RE

#YOURCENAR

Experience the magic of the Opera

BMO is excited to present magical moments of the Montreal Opera. Prepare to be enchanted by captivating stories and incredible vocal performances.

® /TM

Trademarks of Bank of Montreal.

YOURCENAR

UNE ÎLE DE PASSIONS

COMPOSER: ÉRIC CHAMPAGNE LIBRETTO: HÉLÈNE DORION & † MARIE-CLAIRE BLAIS English translation of the libretto: Jonathan Kaplansky

Language: French with English and French surtitles Premiere: Opéra de Montréal, Festival d’opéra de Québec, Les Violons du Roy, Palais Montcalm, Québec Duration : 2 hrs. 20 min. (with 1 intermission of 25 minutes)

Marguerite Grace Jerry Daniel A captain A singer

STÉPHANIE POTHIER KIMY MC LAREN HUGO LAPORTE JEAN-MICHEL RICHER PIERRE RANCOURT SUZANNE TAFFOT

Conductor Stage Director Stage Director Assistant Set Designer Costume Designer Lighting Designer Video Designer Chorus Master Rehearsal Pianist (production) Rehearsal Pianist (workshops) Rehearsal Pianist (chorus)

THOMAS LE DUC-MOREAU ANGELA KONRAD SUZANNE CROCKER ANICK LA BISSONNIÈRE PIERRE-GUY LAPOINTE SONOYO NISHIKAWA ALEXANDRE DESJARDINS CLAUDE WEBSTER FRANCIS PERRON PAMELA REIMER PIERRE MCLEAN

A COPRODUCTION BY : Opéra de Montréal | Festival d’opéra de Québec | Les Violons du Roy August 4 and 6, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.

Salle Pierre-Mercure, Centre Pierre-Péladeau Éric Champagne wishes to thank the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec for its financial support for the creation of this opera.

PUBLIC PARTNERS

The Opéra de Montréal sincerely thanks the Ministère de la culture et des communications du Québec, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, the Canada Council for the Arts, Canadian Heritage, the Conseil des arts de Montréal and the City of Montreal.

3

MUSICIANS

FLUTE Benjamin Morency OBOES Jean-Luc Côté CLARINET Martin Carpentier BASSOON Mary Chalk FRENCH HORN Olivier Brisson VIOLIN 1 Pascale Giguère Nicole Trotier Noëlla Bouchard Véronique Vychytil

VIOLIN 2 Pascale Gagnon Angélique Duguay Michelle Seto Myriam Pelletier Hubert Brizard VIOLA Isaac Chalk Annie Morrier Jean-Louis Blouin CELLO Benoit Loiselle Nathanaël Cardinal DOUBLE BASSE Raphaël McNabney

THE OPÉRA DE MONTREAL CHOIR

4

SOPRANOS Pascale Brigitte Boilard Véronique Gauthie Suzanne Taffot

BARITONES Claudel Callender Pierre Rancourt Clermont Tremblay

MEZZO-SOPRANOS Elizabeth Ekholm Julie Goupil Danielle Alison Vaillancourt

TENORS Mathieu Abel Ruben Shaym Brutus Jaime Sandoval

A WORD FROM THE GENERAL & ARTISTIC DIRECTORS

PATRICK CORRIGAN & MICHEL BEAULAC For this world premiere, Éric Champagne and librettists Hélène Dorion and Marie-Claire-Blais illuminate the towering literary figure of Marguerite Yourcenar, and through the prism of her immense work, her humanity and her fragility.

Yourcenar’s path was one of great passion that spanned universal literary fame to deep human solitude.

The music highlights the words’ intensity of emotions, revealing their secret dimensions. The composer, with his clear predilection for the lyric art, succeeded in marvellously transposing these elements of the text, which our local singers are proud to showcase.

The impressionistic quality of the work’s libretto, its fragmentation of time, and its mosaic of ideas and emotions required an exceptional dramatic reading—a formidable challenge fully embraced by Angela Konrad and her team.

We are grateful to Laurent Patenaude and Les Violons du Roy for bringing this project and partnership to us, as well as to the Festival d'Opéra de Québec for the beautiful collaboration that led to the creation and production of this work. May this first collaboration lead us to many more projects in the future.

5

A WORD FROM THE CO-EXCUTIVE DIRECTORS OF LES VIOLONS DU ROY / LA CHAPELLE DE QUÉBEC

PATRICE SAVOIE & LAURENT PATENAUDE In the fall of 2015, with the first performance in a series of a few literary concerts, the unique poetry of Hélène Dorion entered the life of Les Violons du Roy in a most significant way.

It was a rich and inspiring encounter. With one thing leading to another, today we consider ourselves privileged to be associated with this allnew operatic work imagined by Hélène Dorion, the late Marie-Claire Blais, and Éric Champagne who, together with Angela Konrad, have surrounded themselves with an incredible creative team as part of a new partnership with leading Quebec cultural organizations. We are very proud.

Clearly reflecting the vitality of our operatic art form, the brilliant vocal cast brought together for the world premiere of Yourcenar – Une île de passions is also a great source of pride. To have these wonderful young voices linked to the life of one of the 20th century’s most important female writers also makes a lot of sense; we all need figures like this, who embody courage, wisdom, and openness—a few of the distinctive qualities of Marguerite Yourcenar, whose words and struggles remain relevant today.

Bravo and thank you to all those who are today giving us the opportunity to witness the birth of this new work, which lays an important cornerstone in the body of Quebec-composed operas.

Thank you to the Festival d’Opéra de Québec and to the Opéra de Montréal for this magnificent collaboration.

And thanks to all of you for choosing to be here with us to experience this historic event.

6

A WORD FROM THE GENERAL & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE FESTIVAL D’OPÉRA DE QUÉBEC

JEAN-FRANÇOIS LAPOINTE

In assuming the leadership of the Opéra de Québec and its Festival, I felt it was essential to establish a component focused on the creation of new works. An opportunity to do so came quickly with a call from Laurent Patenaude of Les Violons du Roy, asking me if I would be interested in producing an opera based on the character of Marguerite Yourcenar. The idea instantly appealed to me. After discussing it with the management of the Opéra de Montréal, we were able to lay the foundations for a groundbreaking agreement between our three organizations, giving rise to a wonderful project that would marshal our creative energies and our respective talents to produce what is now called: Yourcenar – Une île de passions.

I would like to thank the many creative forces involved, first and foremost Hélène Dorion, the late Marie-Claire Blais, and Éric Champagne, as well as all the other talented artists and artisans who worked on this magnificent project.

May the great energy expended to finally get us to the performance stage carry with it a promise for the future, both for the work itself and for the creation of new operas in general.

I remain convinced that an opera company’s richness is contained both in its ability to present major traditional works in original ways and in its desire to renew the repertoire. Through new visions, these two poles, existing together, can elevate the art of performance to unprecedented heights. This is my wish for us all.

To all of you, enjoy the performance!

7

Supporting artists helps build vibrant communities and strong economies.

The hard work, perseverance and vision of emerging artists demonstrate the power of having a dream and the positive impact realizing that dream has on a community. Together with programs like l’Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal, we support a diverse range of Canadian talent across the country through the RBC Emerging Artists Project.

Visit rbc.com/emergingartists ® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada.

VPS109255

111519 (11/2021)

PROGRAM NOTES

YOURCENAR UNE ÎLE DE PASSIONS

LIBRETTO BY HÉLÈNE DORION AND MARIE-CLAIRE BLAIS WITH MUSIC BY ÉRIC CHAMPAGNE

Marguerite Yourcenar’s life evolved through the tensions that inhabited her, between the discipline demanded by writing and her thirst for travel and freedom; between emotional stability leading to productivity and her own wildly passionate nature; between her need for rootedness and connection with her origins and the irrepressible quest beyond. The destiny of this celebrated writer was that of a creator who never eluded her own contradictions but who viewed such dualities not as conflicts to be reconciled, but as mutually enriching paradoxes.

LA FLÛTE ENCHANTÉE

Yourcenar − Une île de passions is an opera in two acts loosely inspired by Yourcenar’s life and works. It focuses on her relationship with Grace Frick in the earlier part of her life, then on her tumultuous relations with Jerry Wilson, her late-life partner.

From the garden of Marguerite Yourcenar’s seaside house to places that revisit her past, the unfolding destiny of a woman who forges herself out of her contradictions, of an artist bound primarily to the experience of living and loving emerges. Life and creativity confront one another to eventually haunt the writer’s most intimate connections.

This opera also highlights M.Y.’s creative sources, conjuring her vast well of inspiration, which includes the far East and Ancient Greek thought. Her avantgarde vision of the world, on environmental issues, social activism and the defiance of racial injustice also come to the fore.

Hélène Dorion Source : Yourcenar – Une île de passions, introduction to the libretto, Montreal, Éditions de l’Homme, 2022

9

THE COMPOSER

ÉRIC CHAMPAGNE CANADA

Éric Champagne’s music is performed by internationally renowned ensembles and soloists. The recipient of an Opus Award for “Composer of the Year” (2020), his music was quick to make an impression at several competitions and is the subject of commissions and performances in North America, Europe, and India.

He was composer-in-residence at the Orchestre Métropolitain (2012 to 2014) and at Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur (2016 to 2018). In 2015, his Symphony No. 1 earned him the CALQ-awarded Prize for Creation of the Year – Montreal.

Inclined as much to instrumental writing as to composing for voice, he creates works whose shimmering quality is reminiscent of orchestrations by Debussy and Ravel, where the voices often call to mind the texts of great Quebec poets.

10

THE LIBRETTISTS

eG

. De

l is l e

HÉLÈNE DORION ax

ym

CANADA ©

M

From the publication of her first book to receiving the Prix Athanase-David in 2019 for her lifetime achievement and contributions to Quebec literature, Hélène Dorion has authored more than thirty-five published volumes. Her books—poetry, novels and essays—have appeared in some fifteen countries and have earned her several Canadian and international awards, including the Prix Mallarmé, the Governor General’s Award, the Catullo Prize, the Prix Anne-Hébert and the Prix Léopold-Senghor. A multidisciplinary artist, she also exhibits her photographic works and collaborates with composers and performers. Hélène Dorion is an Officer of the Order of Canada and a Knight of the Ordre national du Québec.

Her most recent works are the novel Pas même le bruit d'un fleuve and the poetry collection Mes forêts, which will be featured in a literary concert presented by the I Musici orchestra in 2022-2023.

† MARIE-CLAIRE BLAIS CANADA

In a career spanning seventy years, Marie-Claire Blais (1939 – 2021) wrote novels, plays, collections of poetry and fiction, newspaper articles, radio dramas, and scripts for television. She was a four-time recipient of the Governor General’s literary prize for French-Canadian literature and was also a recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship. Some of her works included La Belle Bête (1959), The Manuscripts of Pauline Archange (1968), Deaf to the City (1979), and the tenvolume series Soifs written between 1995 and 2018. Many of her works have been adapted for other formats, including ballet and film. In an article in The Globe and Mail, literary critic Jade Colbert called her “the 21st century Virginia Woolf,” while novelist Michel Tremblay called her “one of our greatest national treasures.”

11

THE ARTISTS MARGUERITE

STÉPHANIE POTHIER

MEZZO-SOPRANO CANADA

With her dark yet radiant vocal timbre, Stéphanie Pothier performs within a vast classical repertoire, from Baroque vocalize to Romantic works to contemporary creations. She has appeared with such ensembles and companies as Opéra de Montréal, Opéra de Québec, Orchestre Métropolitain, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Chants Libres, I Musici, and Festival de Lanaudière. Her enthusiasm for cross-disciplinary endeavours has led to the creation of Projet ClairObscur, incorporating her activities as both a photographer and vocalist. Last OdM appearance: Another Brick in the Wall – L’opéra (2017)

GRACE

KIMY MC LAREN

SOPRANO CANADA

Since making her professional debut with Opéra National du Rhin, Kimy McLaren has built a diverse repertoire comprised of opera, concert, recital, and musical theatre, appearing in over thirty operatic roles throughout France, as well as in Latin America, Asia, and Canada. Additionally, she has appeared as a soloist with an impressive number of symphony orchestras.

Deliciously charismatic and very much at home on the operatic stage, she also performs in chamber works and recitals. Last OdM appearance: Elektra (2015)

JERRY

HUGO LAPORTE

BARITONE CANADA

12

Acclaimed for his elegant singing, velvety timbre, and outstanding stage presence, Hugo Laporte performs in Canada, Europe, and Asia. Remarkably active in recent seasons, he has appeared as Figaro (Il barbiere di Siviglia) and Belcore (L’elisir d’amore) at Opéra de Québec, the Phantom (Phantom of the Opera) at Théâtre St-Denis and Grand Théâtre de Québec, and the Prosecutor (Another Brick in the Wall) at Meridian Hall. He makes his Teatro alla Scala debut in 2023. Last OdM appearance: Romeo and Juliet (2018)

THE ARTISTS DANIEL

JEAN-MICHEL RICHER

TENOR CANADA

Jean-Michel Richer’s appearances in recent seasons include Jacquino (Fidelio) and an Angel (Written on Skin) at Opéra de Montréal, Gonzalve (L’Heure espagnole) at Opéra national de Lorraine, Florestan (Léonore ou L’amour conjugal) at Opera Lafayette, Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni) at Opéra de Montréal and Saskatoon Opera, the Father (Another Brick in the Wall) at Opéra de Montréal and Cincinnati Opera, and the title role of Faust with Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières. Last OdM appearance: Written on Skin (2020)

A CAPITAINE

PIERRE RANCOURT

BARITONE CANADA

Pierre Rancourt regularly collaborates with numerous arts organizations in the Montreal area. He has participated in the creation of productions presented throughout Montreal, one of which, Carlos Gardel: Dialogue with the King of Tango, won the Conseil des arts de Montréal's On Tour Public Award. An advocate for the benefits of music for marginalized groups, he directs Le Volier, an organization dedicated to community development through music. Last OdM appearance: Twenty-Seven (2019)

A SINGER

SUZANNE TAFFOT

SOPRANO CANADA/CAMEROON

Distinguished by her rich and colourful timbre, ease on stage, and convincing interpretations, Suzanne Taffot will performed the role of Mademoiselle in the Canadian premiere of Le Flambeau with Orchestre classique de Montréal. She also appears on La Sinfonia de Lanaudière’s Gershwin! and recently recorded the album Love Is the Only Force. She has performed with Orchestre Métropolitain, Opéra de Limoges, the Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra, and toured China with Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20. OdM debut

13

THE ARTISTS CONDUCTOR

THOMAS LE DUC-MOREAU

CANADA

Thomas Le Duc-Moreau is the youngest artist in the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal’s history to hold the position of Assistant Conductor. He previously held similar functions with the Orchestre symphonique de Québec and the Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières. He is also Artistic Director of Ensemble Volte. He has conducted rehearsals of Carmen at the Bonn Opera and The Flying Dutchman at Opéra de Québec, and was invited to conduct the Prague National Theatre Orchestra in 2018.

OdM debut

STAGE DIRECTOR

ANGELA KONRAD

GERMANY/CANADA

Angela Konrad, a German-born director and playwright, is the director of the École supérieure de théâtre de l'UQÀM as well as of the LA FABRIK, a company she founded in 2011. In 2021, she was awarded the Bourse Jean Pierre Ronfard, a distinction that recognizes her boldness and dedication in her adaptations of great classical and contemporary texts. Her most recent productions include Vernon Subutex (Usine C), Fleuve (TNM) and Platonov, amour, haine et angles morts (Prospero). As of September 2022, she will be the general and artistic director of Usine C. OdM debut

ASSISTANT STAGE DIRECTOR

SUZANNE CROCKER

CANADA

14

Suzanne Crocker was recently named Production and Creation Director at Espace GO. Over the past 20 years, she has worked on over 50 productions as an assistant stage director and stage manager with companies including Théâtre du Nouveau Monde, Duceppe, Opéra de Montréal, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Cirque Éloize, and Cirque du Soleil. She is a frequent collaborator of Serge Denoncourt. Her work for the opera stage includes productions of Nabucco and Another Brick in the Wall – L’opéra.

Last OdM appearance: Another Brick in the Wall – L’opéra (2017)

THE ARTISTS SET DESIGNER

ANICK LA BISSONNIÈRE

CANADA

The three separate axes of Anick La Bissonnière’s career—set design, architecture and education—place her in a unique position in contemporary theatre as a formidable technician, gifted communicator, tireless researcher, and, above all, a complete, sensitive artist with a remarkable sense of creativity. Her award-winning work has been seen in theatre, dance, film, urban events, circuses, museums, and site-specific installations in Canada and on renowned international stages. Last OdM appearance: Samson et Dalila (2015)

COSTUME DESIGNER

PIERRE-GUY LAPOINTE

CANADA

Pierre-Guy Lapointe, costume designer, has been part of the theatrical, television and film landscape for almost thirty years. His versatility and knowledge of the world of costumes have led him to work on more than a hundred stage shows, here in Montreal and abroad, as well as on various productions for both television and film. He has designed costumes for Un tramway nommé désir, Judy Garland, la fin d'une étoile, Roméo et Juliette, Edmond, Les choristes and Annie: la comédie musicale. OdM debut

LIGHTING DESIGNER

SONOYO NISHIKAWA

CANADA, JAPAN

Endowed with unparalleled inventiveness and attention to detail, Sonoyo Nishikawa occupies a unique place on Canada and US theatre scene, working with directors including Robert Lepage, Brigitte Haentjens, Marie Brassard, Harold Prince and Susan Stroman. Recent work includes POTUS (The Shubert Theatre), Prince of Broadway (Tour), Once Upon a One More Time (The Shakespeare Theatre), and upcoming The Seven Streams of the River Ota at TNM and at Le Diamant in September 2022. Last OdM appearance: La Veuve joyeuse (2004)

15

THE ARTISTS VIDEO DESIGNER

ALEXANDRE DESJARDINS

CANADA

Alexandre Desjardins is a director and multimedia designer. His film L'arbre au coeur qui bat was selected and awarded by international festivals. His short film Jamais je ne t'oublierai won the Audience Award at the Festival de cinéma de la ville de Québec. His multimedia show Agwàtà is seen by 30,000 spectators. He created projections for the National Gallery of Canada and a pyromusical installation at the Louvre-Lens Museum. He collaborated with director Angela Konrad on the play Vernon Subutex.

OdM debut

CHORUS MASTER

CLAUDE WEBSTER

CANADA

Claude Webster has worked in the field of opera as a rehearsal pianist and vocal coach for some thirty years. His work is widely recognized in North America and Europe. Internationally sought after as a specialist in the French repertoire, he has participated in many programs including those in Tel Aviv, Berlin, Ravinia and New York. He was the head coach at the Atelier lyrique de l'Opéra de Montréal from 1997 to 2017 and has been the Opéra de Montréal’s chorus master since 2007. Last OdM appearance: The Magic Flute (2022)

REHEARSAL PIANIST (PRODUCTION)

FRANCIS PERRON

CANADA

16

Francis Perron’s experience as a chamber musician, accompanist, and vocal coach have made him a sought-after collaborator for several Canadian and European orchestras, opera companies, conservatories, and competitions. He has performed with several ensembles and is a member of the Orford Six Pianos ensemble and the Nouvel Ensemble Moderne.

He also has several recordings and radio appearances to his credit. He is an associate professor at the Université de Montréal and vice-dean for international relations. OdM debut

THE ARTISTS REHEARSAL PIANIST (WORKSHOPS)

PAMELA REIMER

CANADA

Pamela Reimer is a versatile pianist, pedagogue, and arranger, known for her rhythmic precision and collaborative skills. She enjoys a varied career, with a wide range of repertoire, appearing extensively throughout Canada, the US, and the UK. She has performed with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, the National Ballet of Canada, and numerous new music ensembles. She has served as a collaborative pianist at Orford Music since 2009 and was Artist-In-Residence at Concordia University from 2016 to 2018. OdM debut

REHEARSAL PIANIST (CHORUS)

PIERRE MCLEAN

CANADA

Pierre McLean is much sought-after as a vocal coach, accompanist, pianist, and musical director working in these various capacities with such institutions as Université de Montréal, the Schulich School of Music, Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Opéra de Montréal, Jeunesses musicales Canada, Productions Belle Lurette, the Canadian Vocal Art Institute, Opéra-Théâtre de Rimouski, and Concours musical international de Montréal, as well as with other music ensembles and soloists. Last OdM appearance: Die Fledermaus (2013)

17

ÉDITORIAL

ÉRIC CHAMPAGNE

BRINGING MARGUERITE YOURCENAR TO LIFE, THROUGH MUSIC TEXT: Véronique Gauthier PHOTOS: Tam Photography

As an avid lover of literature, Éric Champagne was already somewhat familiar with the world of Marguerite Yourcenar when Hélène Dorion reached out to him, in 2020, to compose the music for the opera Yourcenar: une île de passions, which she was co-writing with Marie-Claire Blais. After reading a first draft of the libretto, the composer plunged right in and agreed to set this exceptional woman’s story to music. The result? All will be revealed on stage this summer, in Quebec City and Montreal.

We chatted with the enthusiastic, erudite, humble, and profoundly human composer…

THE SPECIFICITIES OF COMPOSING FOR VOICE While it is not his first foray into the world of opera, Yourcenar: une île de passions represents a cornerstone in its creator’s career. “It was the first time I worked on an opera of this length, based on a libretto that was still in the process of being written.”

What distinguishes his writing for voice from his orchestral composition? “It’s a completely different way of thinking about music,” states Éric Champagne. “When I compose for voice, I seek out certain vocal colors, and the rhythm of the words influences the rhythm of the music,” explains the composer. “I enjoy taking text to another level and modulating it through my music.”

18

For this opera, the composer waited until the libretto was practically finished before sitting down to his worktable, nevertheless having actively participated in the creative process that preceded the composition stage. “I wanted to get a clear understanding of the work’s structure and find the right balance to go from one scene to the next,” he explains. In this case, the dynamics and the temporality of the dialogue had a great influence on his way of developing the music. “The second act calls for greater linearity, while the first is made up of flashbacks… it’s a bit more broken up.”

A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS, FIRST AND FOREMOST When the composer joined the project, the two librettists had already been working together for several months; soon after, Angela Konrad joined the creative core as stage director. “After having seen a few of her plays, it was clear to me that she was highly attuned to the use of music in theatre,” says Éric Champagne. “I think it’s natural that this led her to work with opera.”

The collaboration with Les Violons du Roy, the Opéra de Québec, and the Opéra de Montréal subsequently came together. Michel Beaulac, Artistic Director of the Opéra de Montréal, then took part in some writing sessions to rework the text. “He really restructured the work, anchoring the central point of the opera.” And while the composer himself didn’t dip his toe into the actual writing—“I have too much admiration for the craft!”—, he did reveal the operatic potential of certain scenes that were reworked accordingly.

THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS What was the greatest challenge the composer faced over the course of the experience?

The time constraint, which forced him to write a piano-voice version of his music before developing the orchestral version. “It was necessary, so that the work could move forward, but it runs contrary to my approach to conceiving music, which is orchestral. I felt like I was writing a watered-down piano version, lacking the colours I had in mind. It blocked me on occasion,” says the composer.

But this constraint proved necessary to the success of the creative workshops with the singers, workshops that gave Éric Champagne an opportunity to hear the music and see it evolve. “As difficult as it was, it allowed me to get to the bottom of things. We were able to work on the voices, I adjusted details of the prosody, I rewrote certain passages. I don’t often get the chance to experiment that much, and I really appreciated it.”

19

A FAMILIAR ARTISTIC APPROACH The more the opera’s creative process moved forward, the more the composer could feel a kinship between his creative realm and that of the writer whose world he was setting to music. “We both have one foot firmly rooted in tradition and the other in modernity. In my music, I am not seeking the epitome of the avant-garde; I am seeking, through a heritage I have made my own, to have a personal discussion on my current reality. And it’s the same with Yourcenar.” Éric Champagne also sees himself in the challenges the writer faced throughout her life.

“Yourcenar is, in a way, a lover of love, and the difficulty in reconciling her lover’s passion with her creative passion touches me deeply, because I can identify with it.”

GOING WITH THE FLOW What can the audience expect at the performances? “It won’t be Aida!” exclaims Éric Champagne. “The show won’t be visually flamboyant; the work isn’t designed for that. It’s more of a psychological drama. As a spectator, you’ve got to let yourself go with the flow of the music and the story to really experience what these characters have within them.

It’s an intimate show, one in which you are guided along on an inner journey.”

In this understated, poetic world, the destiny of a literary legend—confronting her dualities, steadfast in her convictions, and breaking with the conventions of her time—will have all the space it needs to unfold and, in the end, to touch us.

20

Complice de l’Opéra de Montréal

SAVE TH E DAT E

October 26, 2022 MAISON SYMPHONIQUE DE MONTRÉAL

Discover the next generation of opera stars at this unforgettable benefit event in support of the mission of the Opéra de Montréal and the Atelier lyrique.

DONORS

DIRECTOR CIRCLE ($10,000 AND MORE) $1,000,000 AND MORE Initiatives Vanda Treiser*

AMBASSADORS’ CIRCLE We wish to warmly thank all our generous individual and family contributors who care to support the Opéra de Montréal and its activities.

Your help is essential to the pursuit of our mission and your contribution is an integral part of the vitality of both our company and Montreal’s operatic life.

$100,000 AND MORE

Fondation Azrieli Succession Nicole Desjardins Evelyn & Morrie Neiss Mrs. Vanda Treiser et à la mémoire de M. Benjamin Treiser* Marie-Christine Tremblay et Jacques Marchand

$50,000 AND MORE

Succession Lise Beauchamp Fondation J.A. DeSève Succession Anne-Marie Trahan

$25,000 AND MORE

Famille Andrea Alacchi* Fondation J. Armand Bombardier Normand Cardella* Fondation Jacqueline Desmarais Mr. Gustel Fischer Claude Leblanc* John Farrell et François Leclair* Pascal Lépine Dr François Loubert* Emmelle & Alvin Segal Ruth & David Steinberg Family Foundation Carolyn Vogelesang & Robert Dancik* Joan Vogelesang & Fred Heese* Sue Wehner* Colleen & Mirko Wicha Elizabeth Wirth

$15,000 AND MORE

Naomi & Eric Bissell André Ferraro* Fondation Jacques Lareau Le Square Phillips Hôtel & Suites Vickie Vouloumanos

$10,000 AND MORE

Pledges made from July 15, 2021 and July 15, 2022. *Multi-year pledges

24

René Branchaud Sigrid Chatel Succession Maurice Deschamps Laurent Ferreira et Leslie Silver Fondation Stéfane Foumy Monique Lebuis Lachapelle Yvon Lessard Thérèse et Peter Primiani Monique Roy Fondation Roasters Foundation

$5,000 AND MORE

$1,000 AND MORE

Anonyme (1) Doron Altman Dr. Raouf Antoun Dre Andrée Boucher et Dr Louis-George Ste-Marie Susan C. Brown Patrick Corrigan Jean-Pierre Deschamps Bruno-Étienne Duguay Fondation Sibylla Hesse Carlos S. Idarraga Irwin Kramer Stella Gignac et Patrick Ouellet Lloyd Johansson et Andrée Leduc Irving Ludmer Family Foundation Dr. W. Mark Roberts & Roula Drossis Mike & Valeria Rosenbloom Foundation Mr. Bernard & Mrs. Merle Stotland Christopher Winn

Anonyme (5) Nicholas Androsoff Louis Arseneault Raymond Bachand Daniel A. Beaulieu Bunny Berke & Larry Lusko Danielle Bitton Pierre-Yves Boivin Matthew Borden Louis Bouchard Me Luc Bourbonnais Michelle et Guy Bouthillier Pierre R. Brosseau Jean Charbonneau Toxicologue Inc. Jacques L. Charuest Andrea Chavez Dr J.P. Chiasson, MD F.A.S.A.M. Dr Richard Cloutier Pierrette Couture et Henriot M. Sabourin J.V. Raymond Cyr À la mémoire de Jacques Dansereau Drs. James C. & Caroline W. Dawson Geneviève Devault Clément Mrs. Jill de Villafranca & Dr. David Kostiuk James Dorff et Laurent Thibault Michel Drapeau Jean-Sébastien Dupont Fondation Fasken Martineau DuMoulin Julius Frohlich Ossama El-Naggar Denis Faucher Nacia Faure et Dr Georges L'Espérance Cynthia Fish In loving memory of Kappy Flanders Claire Fournelle Marie-Hélène Fox Mouna et Elias Ghannoum Frédéric Godbout Leo & Shirley Goldfarb Foundation Beryl Goldman Laurence Green Julius H. Grey Marina Gusti

$2,500 AND MORE Anonyme (1) Lucille Beauchemin Antje Bettin Danielle Blouin Rosanne Boisvert Micheline et Pierre L. Comtois* Dr. Richard & Dr. Sylvia Cruess Fondation Pierre Desmarais Belvédère Dr. Joyce Fung Émile Ghattas & Feu Mona Lattif-Ghattas À la mémoire de Monique Lussier Eunice Mayers Jean-Pierre Le Clerc et Mario Ménard Constance V. Pathy Famille Pierre Provencher Louise Roy O.C., O.Q. Sylvie Samson & Guillaume Marion Bernard St-Pierre Marcotte et Francine Ouellette Marie-Josée Verreault Martin Watier

Adèle Hébert Dr. Calvin Kalman Judith Kavanagh Gilles Lanctôt et Gwen Kirton Joanie Lapalme et Alexandre McCormack Jean-Charles Le Brun et Normand-G. Robert Me Christian Leblanc et Séléna Felton Dr André Levasseur Hubert Lemelin Julie-Martine Loranger et Val Muscalu Fondation René Malo Sylvie Marois Fondation Martineau Drapeau Dr. Jacqueline McClaran & Dr. Jonathan Meakins Marcia McKenzie Eric & Jane Molson Caroline Montminy Robert Nadeau & Dre Marie Léonard Nimi Nanji-Simard Ronald Ouellette Richard Pan Mariella Pandolfi Christine Paulino et Jean-Pierre Primiani Ginette Quintal Louis Racine Évangéline Richard James & Katherine Robb Lesley & Mark Robinson Madeleine Roy Henriot Sabourin Jane M. Skoryna Fondation St-Germain Kavanagh Karim Talaat Robert Thibaudeau Simon et Mathilde Tinawi Vernon G. Turner Daniel Turp Diana C. Wall Isabelle Westwick et François Carrier David Whittall Christian Yaccarini Dre Marie Youssef Dre Nathalie Zan

25

VERDI PROGRAMMING PARTNERS

TICKETS START AT

$35

SEPTEMBER 10 TO 18, 2022 OPERADEMONTREAL.COM

EN LIBRAIRIE

DONORS

THE FRIENDS OF THE OPÉRA DE MONTRÉAL A special thanks to the FRIENDS of the Opéra de Montréal whose contributions strongly encourage us in the pursuit of our mandate

$600 AND MORE Philippe Alcouffe Natalie Bussière Berney Creighton Lucy Fellowes Anne-Marie Fontaine Naomi & David Goltzman Dany Leblanc George E. Lovick Amélie Michaud & Vincent Picard-Dufresne Famille Morisset Noppen David Paulhus Pierre Simard Louise Veulleyx

$300 AND MORE Anonyme (8) Louise Ahdoot Bruce Allan Louis Audet André Beauchamp Luc Bédard Peter Blaikie Lambert Boileau Étienne Boucher Ste-Marie Nicole Brodeur André Canakis Peter & Anthi Chiotis Marta T. Clute Michelle Comeau Cossette & Touchette inc.

Daiana Crisan Jan De Smet et Suzanne Venne Marie Lynne Desrochers Gilles Drouin Suzanne Dubé Isabel Dupont Hélène-Louise Dupont Élie Léopold Ferron Bernd and Margaret Filzer Jacques Gagnon Diane Galarneau Denyse Labrecque Gautrin Catherine Gentilcore Christine Glasl Gestion JBI Eren Halil Linda Houle

28

28

Peter Hunt Kim Phuong Huynh Sue Carol Isaacson Claudine Jacques Louise Julien Berthe Kossak Steaven Labrecque Claude Lamonde Albert Lamontagne Denis Lapierre Larivière Lemire et Associés Jacques Larivière Raymonde Lavoie Katerie Leclerc Julie L'Heureux Mary Litwin Allan Marr Monique Molinari Lise Morin Martine Nolin Jennifer Paquet Louise Paré Aline Payette et Jacques L'Écuyer Marie-Soleil Pichette Yves Pigeon Catherine Potvin Lesley & Mark Robinson À la mémoire de Louise Rodier Catherine Rowe Marie-Christine Roy Barbara Seal, C.M. Michael C. Shklar Heidy Simonin V Sirois Michael Smith Yolande Tremblay Nestor Hugo Valencia Tamara Zakon

$100 AND MORE Anonyme (38) Gary Akenhead Béatrice Alain Philippe Alcouffe Gwenaëlle Andrieux Jocelyne Antille Sean Arani Guy Archambault

Violaine Ares Murielle Arsenault Youri Arseneault Roger Aubertin Sylvie Auger Denise Avard Maria-Grazia Martinoli Antonio Barradas Alain Baumann Joanne Bazinet et Michel Perrault Denise Beaudry René Beaudry Christian Beaulieu Daniel A. Beaulieu Michel et Margy Beaulne Geneviève Beaumier Jean-Gabriiel Bédard Beatrix Beisner Edmour Belanger Raphael Bélanger Robert Belanger Pierre Belhumeur Micheline Desgagné Anna Benko Gabriel Benoit Paul Benoit Serge Benoit Johanne Bérard Colette Pilon et Howard Bergman Pauline Bernier Guy Berthiaume Michel Bertrand Chantal Bessette Francesco Biondi Morra Di Belforte Marie Olive Blais À la mémoire de Normand Blais Andrée Blouin Marie Blouin Michel Bois Jacqueline Boissonneault Brigitte Boisvert Danielle Boivin Claude Bolduc Eileen & Herb Borsuk John Bossange and

Lynne Poteau Jean-Claude Bouchard Mathieu Bouchard MJ Bouffard Louise Bourdeau Jocelyne Brault Karin Breitman Yolaine Breton Alexandre Brissette Elise Brochu Susan Brown Richard Brunelle Johanne Brunet Anjali Caillat Suzanne Calmus Nicole Campeau Jacqueline Castegnier Louis Champagne Marie-Andrée Champagne Sophie Charlebois Alain Chartier Moy Fong Chen Adèle Chené Louise Chevalier François Clavel Claude Cloutier Linda Cochrane Errol M. Cook Miriam Cooper Michel Cormier À la mémoire de Claude Côté Geneviève Coutu Teodor Gabriel Crainic Fred A. Curran Claudette Dagenais Luc Dagenais Elizabeth Dalfen Anne Darche R de Blois France De Garie Kianoush Dehghani JS Demers Linda Demers Normand Denault Francine Deschamps À la mémoire de Maurice Deschamps

$100 and above (cont’d)

Renaud Desjardins Lise Deslauriers Dominique Desmarais Susan Desmarais Ginette Di Cola En l’honneur de Youssoupha Mamadou Diallo Zina D'Onofrio Luc Doray Judith Dowler Charles Draimin Lucie Dubé Etienne Dubois-Daignault Diana Dubrovsky Jean Duclos Guy Dufort Julie Dumas Louise Duperron Micheline-Joanne Durand Hélène Durocher Jacques Dussault Veronique Emerand David Essiambre Roger Ferland Josiane Fernandes Anna-Maria Folco Christiane Fortin Langevin Andrée-Anne Fortin Fabienne Fortin François Fournier Hélène Fournier Jean Fréchette Mylène Fugere Anick Gagne Eveline-Louise Gagné Lise Gagnon Louise Gagnon John Galaty Lawrence Gamache Denyse Labrecque Gautrin Laurent Gignat Isabelle Giguere Cindy Gilbert Isabelle Girard Philippe Girard Denyse Goulet Lise Goulet Amy Grainger Patricia Grainger Amelie Gravel Laurence Green Paul Guay Lisette Guibault Joelle Hafsi Monique Hamelin André Harvey Carole Harvey

Helen Haslam René Héon Alice Homonko Bertrand Houle Patrick Hupé Nadine Jean-Francois Éliette Jenneau Marc Joanis Brian Jones Mathieu Joubert JPMA Global Inc. Catherine Julien Gordana Jovanovich & Charles Kaplan Daniel Kinsella Gabriele Klein Yevheniy Kompaniyets Krzyzanowski & Croome families Irving Kuperhouse Rod Anderson Jean-Marie Lacoste Murielle Matteau & Daniel Ladouceur Denise Laferrière Pierre Lafond Dominique Lafontaine Louise Lafontaine Pierre Lajoie Salim Lakhdari Monique Laliberté Carolle Lamontagne Gilles Lamoureux Berthier Landry Claude Laneuville Jocelyne Langevin Suzanne Langlois Jean-Marc Laplante Donald Laporte Pierre Laporte François Larivière Andrée Laroche Marie-Claude Larose À la mémoire de Mona LatifGhattas Solange Latour Normand Laurence Gérard Lavallée Marie-Claude Le Clair Michèle Leblanc Marcel D. Legault Carine Leprince Andrée Lortie Sylvain Lussier Daniel Majeau Lucie Malenfant Serge Marceau Claude Marchand et Hélène Jalbert Jean-Paul Marchand

Serge Marchand Éric Martel Monique Martel Joanne Masse Geneviève Masson Suzanne Masson Lise Mayrand Ann McKinnon Jean-François Mélançon Serge Mélançon Danielle Melanson Liette Michaud Rene Michel Mary C. Moffat Daniel Mongrain Ken Monteith Janet Moore Suzanne Morcel Alain Moreau Marie-Louise Moreau Jocelyne Morin Suzanne Morin Beryl Moser Allannah Murphy Gigi Nadeau Stéphan Nadeau Alain Nadon Jacques Nahmias Gestion Nogisac Inc. Margaret Novak Catherine Ohandjanian Alain Orvoine Alfred Ouellet Georges Ouellet Guy Ouellet Jean Ouellette Genevieve Page P.K. Pal Jean-Pierre Paradis Charles S.N. Parent Jeannette Patenaude Chaumont Joanne Patterson Giuseppe Paventi Ghislaine Perron Jean-Marc Perron Roger Peters Lise Pierre Pierre Jean Piuze Nathalie Pratte Zorana Prelevic Marie-Claude Prévost Bruno Proulx Gilles Proulx Kate Puxley Ginette Quintal Elsa Quiros-Calinoiu Yves Renaud Micheline René

Nathalie Riel C-S Robichaud Madeleine Rocheleau Michel Rochon Johanne Ross Helene Rousseau Hélène Roy Yolanda Sabetta Benoit Sabourin Lucie Sanfaçon Robert Sauvageau Léo Savoie Lorraine Savoie-Zajc Marianne Schlegel Louise Sciaraffa Judy Serve Richard Shedleur Johanne Spenard Suzanne Spinelli Genevieve St-amand Raymonde St-Pierre Sara & Irwin Tauben Jean-Paul Tétrault Gérard Therrien À la mémoire de Madame Anne-Marie Trahan Martine Tremblay Henriette Turgeon Josée Turpin Daniel Tweed Famille Vachon Leduc Suzanne Vadboncoeur Margo Valade-Beaudet Karine Venne Susan Vincelli Marie-Laure Wagner Barbara Lewis William C. Wees Mai Why & Peter Levitt Ruth Wightman Richard Wilson Rita Wilson Theresa Wilson Robert Yates Salam Yazbeck Louise Yoshinaka Irina Zavyalova Daniella Zilkha

Pledges made from April 15, 2021 and April 15, 2022.

2929

GOVERNMENT PARTNERS

PROGRAMMING PARTNERS

PRODUCTION PARTNERS

CIVIC IMPACT AND EDUCATION PARTNERS

30

ATELIER LYRIQUE PARTNERS Major Partners

Presenting Partners

National Auditions Partner MRS. VANDA TREISER et à la mémoire de M. BENJAMIN TREISER

MEDIA PARTNERS

SERVICE PARTNERS

Charlotte Lefebvre, décoratrice florale

Clark Influence

GRDN

GLO

Hôtel Zéro1

Marie-Claude Paquette, designer graphique

Place des Arts

Sélect Vins AdVini

TACT

ViniPassion

31

PERMANENT TEAM

CONCERT TEAM

Patrick Corrigan, general director Hélène Turp, associate to the general director

PRODUCTION STAFF

Michel Beaulac, artistic director Catherine Levac, artistic administrator Louis Bouchard, strategic operations director ATELIER LYRIQUE Chantal Lambert, director / Marie Maous, program coordinator / Geneviève Lessard, production manager / Esther Gonthier, head vocal coach / Ariane Girard, principal voice teacher / Holly Kroeker, training assistant ARTISTIC AND PRODUCTION

Michel Baker, production director / Simon Paquet, project manager (Quebec) / Julie Abran, stage manager / Vanessa Cadrin, make-up / Michel Rancourt, hair / Michel Blackburn, supertitles manager

BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN Me René Branchaud Lavery FORMER CHAIRMAN Bernard Stotland* CA, CPA, FCA, FCPA Richter S.E.N.C.R.L./LLP

TECHNICAL STAFF Carol Lechasseur, head carpenter / Vincent Sauvé, head light / Bruno Galantes, head sound / Viviane Borkowski, head dresser

VICE-PRESIDENT Louise Roy*, O.C., O.Q. CIRANO Louis Arseneault* Université McGill TREASURER Sylvie Marois Banque Nationale, Gestion Privée

Pierre Massoud, production director / Marie Hélène Larivière, production assistant / Patrick Belzile, technical director / Laurence Pronier, stage manager / Dominique Guindon, head of wardrobe / Sonya Bayer, head of wardrobe associate / Sandra Chirico, Wardrobe Supervisor & Corsetiere / Elysabeth Daigle, Wardrobe Assistant

SECRETARY

ADMINISTRATION

Me Bruno-Étienne Duguay NOVACAP

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Frédéric Godbout, CFA Mouvement Desjardins

Catherine Gentilcore, communications and marketing director / Marie-Pier Perron, marketing manager / Daniella Johnson-Meneghini, communications manager / Darnyse Memnon, client services manager / Filémon BraultArchambeault, client services coordinator / Maïka Bélanger / Estelle Mouden, client services agents DEVELOPMENT Jean-Pierre Primiani, development director / Antoine Gervais, manager, donor relations and partnerships / Amy Grainger, annual campaign coordinator / Louise Bonnet, intern, donor relations and partnerships CIVIC IMPACT & EDUCATION

Pascal Lépine*, MBA, Adm. A. Atypic MEMBERS François Carrier* Valeurs mobilières Desjardins

Madeleine Féquière Domtar Me Joanie Lapalme Fasken Me Christian Leblanc Fasken Dr François Loubert Clinique médicale Angus Guillaume Marion Diagram Ventures Richard Pan Power Corporation du Canada

Pierre Vachon, director civic impact & education

Emmelle Segal Administratrice de sociétés

FINANCES

Vanda Treiser Administratrice de sociétés

Maria Morse, Finance director / Marie-Claude Lagacé, accounting agent

Elizabeth Wirth Wirth-Brand Inc., Wirth Rail

* Officers

32

TEAM

TEAM

Jean-François Lapointe, General and Artistic Director

Jonathan Cohen, Music Director of Les Violons du Roy

Catherine-Élisabeth Loiselle, Artistic Coordinator

Bernard Labadie, Founding Conductor of Les Violons du Roy and Music Director of La Chapelle de Québec

Michel Baker, Technical Director Caroline Désy, Executive assistant Isabelle Larouche, Communications Manager Jessica Latouche, Digital Content Manager Marco B. Paquin, Director of Philanthropic Development

PERMANENT MUSICIANS VIOLINS Pascale Giguère / Noëlla Bouchard / Angélique Duguay / Pascale Gagnon / Maud Langlois / Michelle Seto / Nicole Trotier (Founding Member) / Véronique Vychytil VIOLAS Isaac Chalk (Principal Viola) / Jean-Louis Blouin / Annie Morrier CELLOS Benoit Loiselle (Principal Cello) / Raphaël Dubé PRINCIPAL DOUBLE BASS Raphaël McNabney

COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING Rachel Baillargeon, Communications and Marketing Manager Audrey Gagné, Marketing Coordinator Mireille Péloquin, Communications and Marketing Assistant DEVELOPMENT Élyse Létourneau, Director of Philanthropy Elizabeth Plourde, Grants Administrator ACCOUNTING Melinda Rooke, Executive and Accounting Assistant and Youth and Community Projects Coordinator INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATION Opus 3 Artists (USA) Askonas Holt (Europe et Asia)

GENERAL MANAGEMENT Laurent Patenaude, Coexecutive Director, Artistic Director Patrice Savoie, Coexecutive Director, Administrative Director ARTISTIC ADMINISTRATION Claire-Émilie Calvert, Executive Assistant, Artistic Administration Coordinator Denis Plante, Coordonnatrice des tournées et de l’accueil des artistes invités / Tour and Guest Artist Coordinator Brigitte Legendre, Tour and Guest Artist Coordinator Xavier Boucher, Orchestra Personnel Manager Marcel de Hêtre, Choir Personnel Manager Lucie Brosseau, Music Librarian Charlotte Bonneau-Crépin, Library Assistant

33

Donizetti

don Pasquale OPÉRA DE QUÉBEC

22.25.27.29—OCT—2022 Orchestre symphonique de Québec Choeur de l’Opéra de Québec Direction Musicale>Laurent Campellone Scénographie>Michel Baker Costumes>Julie Morel Mise en Scène>Jean-Sébastien Ouellette Éclairage>Nico Desmeules Olivier Déjean (Don Pasquale) Conception vidéo>Keven Dubois Patrick Kabongo (Ernesto) Hélène Guilmette (Norina) Michel Desbiens (Notaire) Hugo Laporte (Le docteur Malatesta)

operadequebec.com

MISSION STATEMENT

1983 was a milestone year in the history of opera in Quebec City. Out of the efforts and work of pioneers who supported the cause of opera at the Théâtre lyrique de Nouvelle-France, the Opéra du Québec, and the Société lyrique d’Aubigny, came the creation of the Fondation de l’Opéra de Québec (January 7, 1983), leading to the emergence of the Corporation de l’Opéra de Québec (November 16, 1983), with a mission to produce professional opera performances in Quebec City.

Since its beginnings under the direction of tenor and conductor Guy Bélanger, the Opéra de Québec has made a concerted effort to encourage and promote Quebec talent, giving several singers from the region their first true opportunities to distinguish themselves on a professional stage. These singers include Sonia Racine, Lyne Fortin, Hélène Fortin, Agathe Martel, Odette Beaupré, Monique Pagé, Louis Langelier, Jean-François Lapointe, and Claude Robin-Pelletier, among many others.

As for stage direction, several big names have been associated with Opéra de Québec productions: Pierrette Alarie, Irving Guttman, Antonello Madau Diaz, Albert Millaire, Peter Symcox, Bernard Uzan, Brian MacDonald, Brian Deedrick, Serge Denoncourt, Jacques Leblanc, John Pascoe, Louise Marleau, Robert Lepage, and François Girard.

The arrival of Bernard Labadie and Grégoire Legendre, taking the helm in the 19941995 season, marked a turning point: a change mainly focused on broadening the repertoire and updating the staging methodology, with a spirit of openness and respect for tradition.

Today, General and Artistic Director Jean-François Lapointe is carrying forward the Opéra de Québec’s mission, which is defined as follows: the Opéra de Québec is an institution that offers the broad community of Quebec City a season of opera, a festival, and activities relating to the operatic art form. Its unique posture in North America—its Francophone nature, festival, and city—makes it an institution with an international reach. The Opéra de Québec acts as a driving force for opera in the Capitale nationale region by:

• • • •

Bringing together opera fans all year long with productions and activities whose artistic excellence is widely acknowledged Using the power of the operatic art form to benefit the community Mobilizing an ecosystem of local artists and artisans who help further the development of their expertise and recognition Attracting operaphiles and artists from around the world to a city with a unique Francophone character.

35

MISSION STATEMENT

CHAMBER ORCHESTRA Les Violons du Roy takes its name from the celebrated court orchestra of the French kings. It was founded in 1984 by Bernard Labadie, now styled founding conductor, and continues under music director Jonathan Cohen to explore the nearly boundless repertoire of music for chamber orchestra in performances matched as closely as possible to the period of each work’s composition. Its minimum fifteen-member complement plays modern instruments, albeit with period bows for Baroque and Classical music, and its interpretations are deeply informed by the latest research on seventeenth- and eighteenth-century performance practice.

The repertoire of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries receives similar attention and figures regularly on the orchestra’s programs.

Les Violons du Roy has been a focal point of Québec City’s musical life since it was founded in 1984, and in 1997 it reached out to enrich the cultural landscape of Montréal as well. In 2007, the orchestra moved into its permanent home base in Québec City’s Palais Montcalm while continuing to build on the worldwide reputation it has acquired in countless concerts and recordings carried by medici. tv, Radio-Canada, CBC, and NPR along with regular appearances on the festival circuit. Les Violons du Roy has performed dozens of times throughout Canada as well as in Germany, the U.K., Austria, Belgium, Brazil, China, Colombia, Ecuador, South Korea, Spain, the United States, France, Israel, Morocco, Mexico, Norway, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Switzerland, in collaboration with such world-renowned soloists as Magdalena Kožená, David Daniels, Vivica Genaux, Alexandre Tharaud, Ian Bostridge, Emmanuel Pahud, Stephanie Blythe, Marc-André Hamelin, Philippe Jaroussky, Anthony Marwood, Isabelle Faust, Julia Lezhneva and Anthony Roth Costanzo, and Avi Avital. The orchestra has performed at the Berlin Philharmonie and iconic venues in London, Paris, and Brussels, with two performances on invitation at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.

Since Les Violons du Roy’s first trip to Washington, D.C., in 1995, its U.S. travels have been enriched with numerous and regular stops in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Its ten appearances at Carnegie Hall include five with La Chapelle de Québec featuring the Messiah, the Christmas Oratorio, and the St. John Passion under Bernard Labadie. Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles has hosted the orchestra three times, once with La Chapelle de Québec in the Messiah, again under Bernard Labadie. Les Violons du Roy is represented by Opus 3 Artists and Askonas Holt.

The thirty-six recordings released thus far by Les Violons du Roy have been met with widespread critical acclaim. The twelve released on the Dorian label include Mozart’s Requiem with La Chapelle de Québec (Juno Award 2002) and of Handel’s Apollo e Dafne with soprano Karina Gauvin (Juno Award 2000). Since 2004, a dozen more have appeared through a partnership between Les Violons du Roy and Quebec’s ATMA label, including Water Music (Félix Award 2008), and Piazzolla (Juno Award 2006). Further recordings on Erato, Naïve, Hyperion, Analekta, and Decca Gold include Vivica Genaux, Truls Mørk, Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Alexandre Tharaud, Marc-André Hamelin, Valérie Milot, Anthony Roth Costanzo (Grammy Award 2019 nomination) and Charles Richard-Hamelin (Juno Award 2020 nomination).

37

Salle Bourgie

Rencontre avec les créateurs de l’opéra

Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal

Mercredi 28 septembre — 19 h 30

LÀ OÙ LA MUSIQUE VIT

La Salle Bourgie accueillera les concepteurs de l’opéra Yourcenar - Une île de passions dans le cadre d’un concert-rencontre qui alternera échanges et extraits musicaux.

12 e

saison

Réservez vos billets sallebourgie.ca 514 285-2000, option 1

Présenté par Fier partenaire de la musique au Musée en santé

ODM CALENDAR

SEPT. 10, 13, 15 2022 7:30 PM SEPT. 18 2022 2 PM Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier

OPERA

IL TROVATORE DE VERDI Can we run away from the consequences of our actions, or will they haunt us for all eternity? Oscillating between fantasy and reality in a play of shadow and light, this new production of Il Trovatore featuring a stunning cast, including Etienne Dupuis, Nicole Car and MarieNicole Lemieux, proves that revenge comes at a heavy price.

VERDI

OCTOBER 26, 2022

Maison Symphonique

GALA TALENT 2022 Celebrate Canada's emerging opera artists at this unforgettable benefit event in support of the mission of the Opéra de Montréal and the Atelier lyrique. Combining the most beautiful arias of the operatic repertoire with gastronomic delights, come and experience this exclusive and exceptional gala evening.

39

STORIES WORTH SINGING.

PROGRAMMING PARTNERS

22/23 SEASON

SUBSCRIBE NOW!

4 OPERAS STARTING AT

$109