Show Program - La Bohème

PUCCINI

M AY 1 0 , 1 3 , 1 5 , 1 8 , 2 0 , 2 0 2 5 SALLE WILFRID-PELLETIER @operademontreal This production is generously sponsored by

PUCCINI

Opera in 4 acts Premiere: February 1, 1896, in Turin, Italy Composer: Giacomo Puccini Librettists: Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica Language: Italian, with French and English surtitles Duration: 2 hrs 22 min, including a 25-minute intermission MIMI RODOLFO MARCELLO MUSETTA SCHAUNARD COLLINE ALCINDORO / BENOÎT PARPIGNOL SERGEANT

LAUREN MARGISON FRÉDÉRIC ANTOUN JOHN BRANCY ANDREA NÚÑEZ MIKELIS ROGERS JEAN-PHILIPPE MC CLISH VALERIAN RUMINSKI ANGELO MORETTI JAMAL AL TITI

CONDUCTOR STAGE DIRECTOR SET DESIGNER COSTUME DESIGNER LIGHTING DESIGNER

SIMON RIVARD FRANÇOIS RACINE PETER DEAN BECK OPÉRA DE MONTRÉAL NICOLAS DESCOTEAUX

CHORUS MASTER REHEARSAL PIANIST CHORUS REHEARSAL PIANIST

CLAUDE WEBSTER FRANCIS PERRON PIERRE MCLEAN Chœur de l’Opéra de Montréal

Scenery provided by Arizona Opera, with Henry Akana's collaboration on the original staging.

May 10, 13, 15, 20, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. and May 18, 2025 at 2 p.m.

SALLE WILFRID-PELLETIER, PLACE DES ARTS Public Partners

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

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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.

A WORD FROM THE GENERAL DIRECTOR

A mere five years ago, emerging performing artists faced an unimaginable —and to be honest, apocalyptic— crisis. Just as they were preparing to launch their careers—having secured one of the few coveted spots with the Atelier lyrique or other similar young artists programs—theatres around the world were closing their doors. For many, the path ahead vanished overnight and was replaced by uncertainty, isolation, and the daunting challenge of holding onto their artistic dreams. It is impossible for most of us to imagine the herculean determination it would take to keep moving forward as artists in such an uncertain context, in which the future looked very dim.

This production of La Bohème features several singers who lived through that moment—artists whose determination, resilience, and remarkable talent brought them to where they are today. Their presence on our stage tonight is a powerful testimony to their indomitable spirit.

It is fitting that La Bohème tells the story of young artists who, despite all odds, face adversity head-on, pouring everything they have into carving out a place for themselves in the world. This opera speaks directly to the challenges and hopes that continue to define the journey of emerging artists today.

All of us at the Opéra de Montréal are filled with joy and with pride to welcome so many recent Atelier lyrique alumni to this production—passionate performers who have persevered, and who bring one of Puccini’s most beloved masterpieces to life.

The Opéra de Montréal family pays them tribute and trusts that the unique context of this production brings even greater meaning to your experience of La Bohème tonight.

Patrick Corrigan 5

Complice de l’Opéra de Montréal

A WORD FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR – ZHAO-IONESCU FAMILY

Eternal Bohème!

In both its narrative and its musical style, Puccini's La Bohème embodies youth, with its carefree spirit and dreams.

It is music of extraordinary inspiration and exceptional vitality, an opera that recounts the intensity of first love, chance encounters and stormy passions, as well as quarrels, separations, disillusionment and painful farewells.

Puccini depicts this Latin Quarter universe in a most seductive musical style: always fluid, melodic and full of ardor, lyricism and spontaneity.

This masterpiece transcends time. La Bohème appeals to all audiences, but more specifically to young people who, even today, may dream without much worry for tomorrow.

Our mostly Canadian cast’s youth and excellence will inspire great pride, while it highlights the realism of this masterpiece of verismo.

Enjoy the show.

Michel Beaulac 7

MOINS DE PAT’ PATROUILLE. PLUS DE PAT LAGACÉ.

Retrouvez vos chroniqueurs favoris dans une édition enrichie.

NOUVEAU Maintenant disponible sur certains ordinateurs Mac.

SYNOPSIS

Act I

Act III

On Christmas Eve, two destitute Parisians, Rodolfo (a poet), and Marcello (a painter), must brave the cold in their garret lodgings. When two friends, Colline (a philosopher), and Schaunard (a musician) stop by, they all decide to go out on the town — except for Rodolfo, who stays behind to work on his writing.

Mimi, a young seamstress, knocks on the door and asks Rodolfo to help her light her candle. She falters, loses her key, and the two grope for it in the dark.

Their hands touch and instantly, love awakens. Rodolfo sings of his passion "Che gelida manina" and Mimi rejoins with a song about her modest life "Mi chiamano Mimi". Afterwards, the pair leave to join Rodolfo’s friends.

On a cold winter morning, Mimi approaches the inn where Marcello works and which Musetta is visiting.

Seeking Marcello’s help, she confides in him that Rodolfo has become jealous and his mood, volatile, and that she is compelled to leave him. Unbeknownst to her, Rodolfo appears, and reveals to Marcello that while he still loves Mimi he must abandon her due to her illness — his destitution makes it impossible to properly care for her. Mimi overhears, and bursts into tears. She and Rodolfo spend time reminiscing, and, overcome with sorrow, agree to separate in the spring "Addio, senza rancor". Meanwhile, Marcello and Musetta violently quarrel and break up.

Act II

Act IV

At Café Momus in the bustling Latin Quarter, Rodolfo introduces Mimi to his friends. Meanwhile, Musetta (Marcello’s former lover) arrives with her wealthy benefactor, Alcindoro.

Desperately courting the jealous Marcello, she teases him with the playfully seductive song "Quando me'n vo." Then, under the pretense of a sore foot, she sends Alcindoro away and throws herself into Marcello’s arms. The group flees, leaving Alcindoro to pay the bill.

Back in the bone-numbing cold of their garret, the heartsick Rodolfo and Marcello attempt to work, but are utterly beside themselves with sadness.

Suddenly, Musetta arrives with Mimi, who is fatally ill. They lay her on the bed and do their best to comfort her.

Musetta sells her earrings to pay for a doctor's consultation, while Colline pawns his beloved coat "Vecchia zimarra" to obtain medicine. Mimi and Rodolfo look back upon their love one last time, before Schaunard notices that Mimi is no longer breathing. Rodolfo collapses, calling out her name in vain.

Intermission (25 min)

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THE COMPOSER

Giacomo Puccini (1858 – 1924)

Puccini was the most popular Italian opera composer after Verdi. Born into a family of composers and organists, he was orphaned at the age of five.

His musical training was taken in hand by his uncle, and at 16 he entered the Istituto Musicale Pacini, where he composed his first works. Lucca, his hometown, was a centre of rich cultural life at the time and boasted numerous touring theatre troupes.

Then, in 1876, in Pisa, it was love at first sight, and a performance of Verdi's Aida determined Puccini’s vocation as an opera composer. Meanwhile, he continued his studies at the Milan Conservatory with Amilcare Ponchielli, composing instrumental and vocal works, including the Messa di gloria (1880). His first operatic work was titled Le villi, which he entered in a competition for one-act operas, but was unsuccessful. However, the performance of the same opera at Milan's renowned Teatro dal Verme in 1884 launched his career, also motivating the music publisher Giulio Ricordi to take him under his wing and assure him of his unfailing support.But it was not until his third opera, Manon Lescaut (1893), that Puccini finally came to enjoy a series of triumphs, after which Ricordi procured him with two excellent librettists, Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. The latter cowrote the librettos for Puccini’s greatest popular successes: La Bohème (1896), Tosca (1900) and Madama Butterfly (1904).

Puccini kept a close eye on the development of his librettos, initiating and then abandoning numerous projects, with the result that his output slowed down considerably. After La fanciulla del West, which premiered at New York's Metropolitan Opera in 1910, he began a triptych of one-act operas: La Houppelande, Soeur Angélique, and Gianni Schicchi, which also premiered at the Met in 1918. He was never to complete his last opera, Turandot, which premiered at La Scala Theatre after his death, in 1926.

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THE ARTISTS MIMI

Lauren Margison

SOPRANO CANADA

Lauren Margison is known to audiences as a passionate emerging soprano.

This season, she returns to the Opéra de Montréal stage in the role of Mimi (La Bohème, Puccini) and made her debut in the title role of Alceste with Toronto’s Opera in Concert. Last season at the Staatstheater Mainz, Lauren sang the roles of Nedda (Pagliacci, Leoncavallo), Anna (Le Villi, Puccini), and Desdemona (Otello, Verdi). Lauren’s recent engagements also include the role of Micaëla (Carmen, Bizet) with Pacific Opera Victoria, Tatyana in a Highland Opera Studio production of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, Beethoven’s Symphony no. 9 with the Orchestre symphonique de Québec, and the title roles in Emmerich Kálmán’s The Csárdás Princess with the Toronto Operetta Theatre and Barber’s Vanessa with Opera in Concert. Lauren received both a Sullivan Foundation Award and Sylva Gelber Foundation Award in the 2024 season.

Lauren Margison’s participation is made possible thanks to the generous support of Sigrid Chatel.

RODOLFO

Frédéric Antoun

TENOR CANADA

Opera Canada described Québec-born tenor Frédéric Antoun as possessing a voice that is “noble and sincere... equal to any heard on international stages today.” Versed in the operas of British composer Thomas Adès, Frédéric Antoun has sung in The Exterminating Angel with the Paris Opera and in his cherished role of Caliban (The Tempest, Vienna State Opera). This season, he appeared with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (Requiem, Mozart), the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir (Missa Solemnis, Beethoven), and Vancouver’s Opera West (Manon, Massenet).

He has recently given performances at La Scala in Milan, the Opéra-Comique in Paris, the Canadian Opera Company, the Konzerthaus Berlin, the Opéra national de Paris, the Royal Opera House, the Opéra de Lausanne, and the Opéra de Toulon.

Frédéric Antoun’s participation is made possible thanks to the generous support of Hugo Valencia.

MARCELLO

John Brancy

BARITONE ÉTATS-UNIS

John Brancy is equally at ease on the opera stage as he is in concert or in recital, singing classical, contemporary works, or repertoire from musicals.

During the 24/25 season, John gave debut performances at the OpéraComique, the Opéra national du Rhin, the Grand Théâtre de la Ville de Luxembourg, and will sing this summer at the Tiroler Festspieler Erl, where he will resume the double role of the Artisan/Collector in George Benjamin’s Picture a Day Like This. He also returned to perform with the Bayerische Staatsoper in Weinberg’s Lady Magnesia and poised to make his debut in the role of Marcello (La Bohème) with the Opéra de Montréal.

On the concert platform, he performed with the Austin Symphony in Carmina Burana. Recently, John returned to the Festival of Aix en Provence in the title role of Monteverdi’s The Return of Ulysses; he also made his Royal Opera House debut in the role of the Artisan.

John Brancy’s participation is made possible thanks to the generous support of Marcia McKenzie.

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THE ARTISTS MUSETTA

Andrea Núñez

SOPRANO CANADA

Versatile young soprano Andrea Núñez has previously performed with the Opéra de Montréal in the role of Susanna (The Marriage of Figaro, Mozart).

Last season, Andrea performed as Frasquita (Carmen, Bizet) with Pacific Opera Victoria and returned to the Toronto Operetta Theatre, receiving praise for her portrayal of Adele in Die Fledermaus. She also made her debut with the Opéra du Royaume as Juliette in Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette. In 21/22, Andrea performed early in the season with the Opéra de Montréal in a double program (Riders to the Sea, Vaughan-Williams and Flambeau de la nuit, Tanguay-Labrosse). She also sang the role of the First Lady in Mozart's The Magic Flute. Andrea is pursuing an ongoing residency at National Sawdust, working on a cycle of songs centered on her identity and experiences as a multi-cultural Canadian.

Andrea Núñez’s participation is made possible thanks to the generous support of Carlos Idarraga.

SCHAUNARD

Mikelis Rogers

BARITONE CANADA/L ATVIA

Latvian-born Canadian baritone Mikelis Rogers is a resident artist with the Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal. During the 24/25 season, he makes his debuts as Fiorello in The Barber of Seville and as Schaunard in La Bohème, both with the Opéra de Montréal. In the 23/24 season, Mikelis performed the role of Germont at very short notice in the last two Opéra de Montréal performances of La Traviata, filling in for an ailing cast member. Winner of the Stingray Rising Star Award at the Opéra de Montréal's Gala Talent (2021), in 2022, Mikelis completed his undergraduate studies in Voice Performance with Jean MacPhail at the University of Toronto.

Member of the Atelier lyrique, generously sponsored by Marie-Hélène Fox.

COLLINE

Jean-Philippe Mc Clish

BASS CANADA

Bass Jean-Philippe hails from Québec City. His “...beautiful, warm, round, deep, powerful, and impressive voice” (LudwigVan) has led him to perform with companies including those of the Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn, Winterthur, Montréal, Edmonton, and Regensburg operas, the Orchestre Métropolitain, the Québec, Trois-Rivières, and Kingston symphony orchestras, the Toronto Summer Music Festival, the Verbier Festival, Musica a Palazzo, and more recently, with the Opéra de Québec, as well as at the Palazzetto Bru Zane. His 2025 operatic roles include Achilla (Giulio Cesare), Colline (La Bohème), Zuniga (Carmen), Alidoro (La Cenerentola), and Sparafucile (Rigoletto). In 23/24, he performed the roles of Friar Lawrence (Romeo and Juliet), Orbazzano (Tancredi), Die Mutter (The Seven Deadly Sins), Zuniga (Carmen), Nourabad (The Pearl Fishers), and Dr. Grenvil (La Traviata), in addition to giving several recitals. He has previously performed in the roles of Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) and Don Alfonso (Così fan tutte).

Jean-Philippe Mc Clish’s participation is made possible thanks to the generous support of Robert Nadeau.

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THE ARTISTS ALCINDORO & BENOÎT

Valerian Ruminski

BASS UNITED STATES

Valerian Ruminski is a graduate of the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia.

He has received numerous grants and awards and has also won several competitions. He leads an active operatic career in addition to performing a highly varied repertoire with orchestras and in recital. He has sung with the Metropolitan Opera, including on the company’s recording of Bellini’s I Puritani (Deutsche Grammophone). He sang the role of Nikitisch in Boris Godunov, which was broadcast throughout the world in HD. He has also performed with the Opéra de Montréal, the Canadian Opera Company, with the Vancouver, Calgary, Manitoba, Québec, Dallas, Portland, Seattle, Santa Fe, El Paso, Atlanta, and Monte Carlo operas, with Opera Lyra Ottawa, the New York City Opera, the Florida Grand Opera, the Chautauqua Opera, the Michigan Opera Theater, the Hawaii Opera Theater, the New Israeli Opera, and the Irish National Opera.

PARPIGNOL

Angelo Moretti

TENOR CANADA/ITALY

Toronto-based Italian-Canadian tenor Angelo Moretti made his professional debut with the Opéra de Montréal in 2022 as Ruiz (Il Trovatore, Verdi). He has held the roles of Count Almaviva (The Barber of Seville, Rossini) at the University of Toronto Opera, as well as Martin (The Tender Land, Copland).

In 23/24, Moretti's roles included those of Nemorino, with the Orchestre symphonique de Drummondville, Alfredo (under study) and Gastone (La Traviata), Don Basilio and Don Curzio (The Marriage of Figaro) and, with the Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières, Remendado (Carmen, Bizet). In the 2024/25 season, Moretti will perform the tenor solo in Handel's Messiah with the Orchestre Classique de Montréal. He returns to the Opéra de Montréal to play Parpignol (La Bohème), the title role in La clemenza di Tito, as well as the Teapot, Arithmétique and Rainette (L'Enfant et les sortilèges). Angelo loves to evoke nostalgia, particularly through Italian folk songs.

Member of the Atelier lyrique generously sponsored by Joan Vogelesang and Fred Heese†.

SERGEANT

Jamal Al Titi

BARITONE CANADA/BEL ARUS

Jamal Al Titi is a Canadian of Belarusian origin whose passion extends from early works to contemporary opera. In 2023, he won first place in the Western Canada District of the Metropolitan Opera's Laffont Competition.

He also received the Rumbold Voice Award as well as the Toronto Mozart Vocal Competition and the Stingray Rising Stars Prize at the Opéra de Montréal Talent Gala. In 24/25, Jamal joined the Opéra de Montréal's Atelier lyrique program. During the 23/24 season, he was appointed as a Fellow of the prestigious Rebanks Family Fellowship Program. He has appeared in the title role of Don Giovanni and Tom (Adoration) at the Banff Centre's Opera in the 21st Century, Belcore (L'elixir d'amore) at the Highlands Opera, and in roles including Masetto (Don Giovanni), Schaunard (La Bohème) and Cascada (The Merry Widow) at the Brott Opera Festival.

Member of the Atelier lyrique generously sponsored by Dr. Joyce Fung.

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THE ARTISTS CONDUCTOR

Simon Rivard

CANADA

Simon Rivard is Music Director of the Edmonton Opera. This season, he conducted the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, the Orchestre symphonique de Québec, the Orchestre classique de Montréal, and makes his Opéra de Montréal debut with Puccini's La Bohème. At the Edmonton Opera, he presented Strauss' Die Fledermaus and Bartók's Bluebeard's Castle. In past seasons, Rivard has conducted the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, the Orchestre Métropolitain, the Orchestre symphonique de Québec, the Toronto Summer Music Festival Orchestra, the Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra (Switzerland) and the Göteborgs Symfoniker (Sweden). From 2018 to 2022, he was RBC conductor-in-residence of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, where he was mentored by Gustavo Gimeno and Sir Andrew Davis. From 2018 to 2024, Simon was Music Director of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra. Born in Montreal, Rivard studied violin and conducting at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal and McGill University.

STAGE DIRECTOR

François Racine

CANADA

Stage director François Racine has worked for opera companies in Quebec City, Victoria, Toronto, Montreal, Cincinnati, Edmonton, Ottawa, Vancouver, Seattle and Neuchâtel (Switzerland). He has also collaborated on concert versions of operas for the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Orchestre Classique de Montréal, Orchestre de l'Agora and the Stratford Symphony Orchestra. His collaboration with Robert Lepage on the productions of Erwartung and Bluebeard's Castle led to appearances at the Edinburgh, Hong Kong and Melbourne festivals, and he will reprise these stagings at Canada's National Opera Company in 2026. Over the years, Racine has directed several university productions, as well as productions of the Atelier lyrique de l'Opéra de Montréal, the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, the Conservatoire de Montréal and Jeunesses Musicales Canada. He holds a master's degree in dramatic art, and teaches an approach to acting adapted for opera singers, primarily at the Université de Montréal.

DESIGNER LIGHTING DESIGNER

Nicolas Descoteaux

CANADA

Since 1992, Nicolas Descoteaux has been designing lighting for opera, theatre, the circus and other events in Canada and abroad. Collaborating with major companies, venues and directors, he has created hundreds of sets, sculpting light to reveal beauty, tension, mystery and emotion. Recent opera credits include Armide in Stockholm, Eugene Onegin in Toulouse, Faust in Quebec City, Tosca in Compiègne, Pelléas et Mélisande in Bordeaux and Tokyo, and numerous works in Montreal and Strasbourg. In 2025, he premieres in La Bohème in Montreal, and in 2026, The Abduction from the Seraglio in Paris. Theatre productions include Le Misanthrope, Britannicus, Twelfth Night, and Une fête d'enfants. His work with the Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Éloize and Cirque Alfonse has compelled him to push artistic boundaries. An artist of the ephemeral, Nicolas illuminates the world with passion and sensitivity.

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CHORUS MASTER

Claude Webster

CANADA

Claude Webster has worked for the Opéra de Montréal and on the international scene for three decades. Since 2007, he has held the position of Chorus Master of the Opéra de Montréal, and for 20 years, served as lead vocal coach for the Atelier lyrique de l'Opéra de Montréal. He is also a Professional Certified Coach, PCC-accredited by the International Coaching Federation and holds a professional certificate in psychology from the Université du Québec à Montréal. For the past fifteen years, he has put his knowledge and expertise to the service of musicians. He regularly gives training courses and lectures on stress management and mental preparation for performance, at home and internationally. Webster has also published Atteindre sa zone d'excellence (Éditions de l'Homme), based on his training courses. His latest book, The Performance Handbook: for Musicians, Singers and Performers, is now available.

REHEARSAL PIANIST

Francis Perron

CANADA

Francis Perron boasts extensive experience as a chamber musician, accompanist and vocal coach. He has collaborated with the National Opera Company of Canada, Opéra de Montréal, Opéra de Québec, Wien Kammeroper, ARD Musik Wettbewerb, Salzburg Summer Academy, Festival de Royaumont, Nouvel Ensemble Moderne, and Société de musique contemporaine du Québec. He has taken part in the creation of over twenty contemporary operas while concurrently being a renowned teacher. Perron has given master classes in Canada, the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. He is a founding member of the Orford Six Pianos ensemble and of the Nouvel Ensemble Moderne (NEM). Francis Perron has several recordings to his credit. Associate Professor at the Université de Montréal Faculty of Music, he is responsible for the collaborative piano program and is co-director of the Université de Montréal-McGill piano-art-vocal residency.

REHEARSAL PIANIST (CHORUS)

Pierre McLean

CANADA

A native of Montreal, Pierre holds a master's degree in Piano Performance from the Université de Montréal. He pursued his training in Europe and the United States (Tanglewood Music Festival). Passionate about the voice, he directed his efforts at becoming a vocal coach thanks in part to the Atelier lyrique de l'Opéra de Montréal. Highly appreciated by opera singers and choral conductors, he collaborates with numerous soloists and ensembles, including the choruses of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal and Opéra de Montréal. He served as a collaborative pianist for the National Youth Choir of Canada on tour in May 2024, under the direction of Roseline Blain. He also served as an arranger and pianist in soprano Karina Gauvin's Marie Hubert project, recorded on the ATMA label.

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THE MUSICIANS

FIRST VIOLINS Yukari Cousineau Oleg Larshin Johanne Morin Ryan Truby Monica Duschênes Florence Mallette Carolyn Klause Alexander Lozowski Ariane Bresse Marie-Claire Cousineau Julien Oberson Yu Bin Kim SECOND VIOLINS Nancy Ricard Dominic Guilbault Lizann Gervais Claudio Ricignuolo Sylvie Harvey Marie-Claire Vaillancourt Flavie Gagnon Taylor Mitz Helga Dathe Céline Arcand VIOLAS Elvira Misbakhova Thierry Lavoie-Ladouceur Gérald Daigle Julie Dupras Élisa Boudreau Suzanne Careau Brian Bacon Onyou Lee CELLOS Christopher Best Agnès Langlois Thérèse Ryan Vincent Bergeron Sheila Hannigan Carla Antoun DOUBLE BASSES Marc Denis Catherine Lefebvre Gilbert Fleury Yannick Chênevert

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FLUTES Jocelyne Roy Ariane Brisson Caroline Séguin OBOES Marjorie Tremblay Kirsten Zander Mélanie Harel CLARINETS Simon Aldrich Martin Carpentier François Martel BASSOONS Michel Bettez Gabrièle Dostie-Poirier HORNS Louis-Philippe Marsolais Simon Bourget Lyne Santamaria Xavier Fortin TRUMPETS Antoine Mailloux Lise Bouchard Benjamin Raymond TROMBONES Patrice Richer Madeleine Doyon-Robitaille Sébastien Côté Trevor Dix TIMPANI Julien Bélanger PERCUSSION Alexandre Lavoie Corinne René Alexander Haupt Mathieu Pouliot HARP Robin Best

CHORUS AND ACTORS 3RD ROLES

Opéra de Montréal Chorus SOPRANOS

MEZZOS

TENORS

Odéi Bilodeau Julie Ekker Meghan Fleet Dahlia Gamache Nadine Guertin Danielle Lalonde Karine Michon Eugénie Préfontaine Léa Weilbrenner

Mireille Bériault Jeanne Bovet Marianne Cloutier Marie-Chistine Duplessis Zanga Rosalie Lane Lépine Marie-Claude L'Heureux Catharine Murray Gilda Salomone Béatrice Stoklas

Mathieu Abel Eric Gauvin Julien Girard Nathan LeLièvre Mike Melino Jean-Louis Sanscartier Simon-Charles Tremblay-Béchard David Trower René Voyer

BARITONES

BASSES

Jonathan Bédard Claudel Callender Alain Duguay Emanuel Lebel Clermont Tremblay

Jordan Delage

LES PETITS CHANTEURS DE LAVAL Dir.: P. Ostiguy

LES PETITS CHANTEURS DU MONT-ROYAL Dir.: A. Gray

Delphine Côté Émilie Gagné Lili Guimond

Jérôme Côté Angel Gouy (Chorus soloist) Walid Hachem-Marquez

Chorus soloist (A customs Sergeant)

Michel Duval Claude Grenier Luc Saucier

Actors 3rd role ADULTS

CHILDREN

Jeffrey Bernier Matthew Hudanish Vincent Bidjakin Y. Charles Boivin-Groulx Théo Chauvirey Jérémie Gariépy Antoine Hatem Vincent Lachance Jean-Louis Luque Dominic Poulin

Florent Bélanger Leonid Châtel Béatrice Courcy Kelly Maher Chloe Maher Jasmine Nguyen Sophia Nguyen

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Empowering the next generation of artists to help build vibrant communities.

The Atelier lyrique of the Opéra de Montréal ensures that the artists develop to their full potential, while fostering their autonomy, leadership, and self-achievement. In partnership with RBC Emerging Artists, we support organizations that provide the best opportunity to advance an artist’s career.

Visit rbc.com/emergingartists

® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. VPS111716

90780 (08/2023)

THE PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY

DIRECTOR CIRCLE $5,000,000+ The Zhao-Ionescu Foundation OVI Fonds*

$1,000,000+

Thank you, dear donors, for supporting the Opéra de Montréal with such passion and generosity!

Mrs. Vanda Treiser and in memory of Mr. Benjamin Treiser*

$250,000+ René Branchaud* André Ferraro* Elizabeth Wirth

$100,000+ Azrieli Foundation Fondation Sandra & Alain Bouchard Sigrid & Gilles Chatel* Dr François Loubert* RBC Foundation

$50,000+ Succession Lise Beauchamp Andrée Boucher & Louis Georges Ste-Marie CGI Antoine Chagnon & Antonio Vieira* Fondation J.A. DeSève Jacqueline Desmarais Foundation for young Canadian opera singers Tony & Betty Infilise Family Foundation Claude Leblanc* Fondation Marie-Christine Tremblay & Jacques Marchand Carolyn & Richard Renaud

$25,000+

This list celebrates the generous donors who made gifts between September 1, 2024, and April 15, 2025. *Multi-year pledge

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Famille Andrea Alacchi* Naomi & Eric Bissell Francoise P. Chagnon VOCALEX INC. Me Bruno-Étienne Duguay Famille Dupont* Ossama el Naggar Julius Frohlich, in memory of Ted & Jolan Frohlich Joyce Fung, in memory of Theodore Fung* Francois Leclair & John Farrell Isabelle Murray & Dominic Chalifoux Le Square Phillips Hôtel & Suites* Québecor inc.

Monique Roy* Ruth & David Steinberg Family Foundation

Nestor Hugo Valencia Joan Vogelesang & Fred Heese †* Vogelesang Dancik Family* Vickie Vouloumanos Sue & Soren Wehner* Colleen & Mirko Wicha Dre Nathalie Zan*

$15,000+ Gustel Fischer † Fondation Stéfane Foumy Marie-Hélène Fox* The Morris & Rosalind Goodman Family Foundation Carlos Idarraga Marc-André Nantais Mike & Valeria Rosenbloom Foundation Emmelle & Alvin Segal Alysia Yip-Hoi Martin & Paul W. Martin

$10,000+ Felicia & Arnold Aaron Foundation Doron Altman American Iron & Metal Jocelyne & Louis Audet Antje Bettin, in honour of Chantal Lambert Jill Bodkin Fondation Famille Carré-Tremblay François Carrier & Isabelle Westwick Bita & Paolo Cattelan Patrick Corrigan & Marc Poliquin Cynthia Fish Fondation Lise & Richard Fortin JSVB Investments Inc. Lise Laberge & Daniel Labrecque Fondation Famille Lavigne Debbie & Peter Letko Fondation Famille Lupien Francis Malka & Marie-Claude Poupart Fondation René Malo Luc Maurice & Roxanne Vachon Marcia McKenzie Patrick Menda Stella Gignac & Patrick Ouellet Patrimonica Ariane Riou & Réal Plourde Giuseppe Racanelli & Lise Daigle Fondation Élaine & Réal Raymond Christian Salbaing & Geneviève Tardif Nadia & David Sela Leslie Silver & Laurent Ferreira

Succession Denis Sirois

AMBASSADORS' CIRCLE DIRECTEUR $5,000+

Louis Arseneault & Maurice Côté Nick Bakish Danielle Blouin R. Boisvert & A. Imamedjian Louis Boudreault Isabelle Brassard & Claude Rivard Normand Cardella Fondation Pierre Desmarais Belvédère Rhona & Irwin Kramer Fondation Famille Laoué Cerceau Joanie Lapalme, Alexandre McCormack & Beth McCormack Monique Lebuis Lachapelle Jean-Pierre Le Clerc & Mario Ménard Guillaume Marion & Sylvie Samson Sylvie Marois Eunice Mayers Groupe Immobilier Joseph Montanaro Inc. Robert Nadeau Ronald Ouellette Thérèse & Peter Primiani Dr. W. Mark Roberts & Roula Drossis Louise Roy O.C., O.Q. Jane M. Skoryna Merle & Bernard Stotland Third Bridge Daniel Turp Haroutioun Varjabedian Marie-José Verreault Lillian Vineberg-Goodman Christopher Winn

$3,000+ Lucille Beauchemin Claudette Belliveau Louis Bouchard Jill de Villafranca & Dr. David Kostiuk Émile Ghattas & Mona Latif-Ghattas † Marjorie Jolicoeur Inc. Nathalie Labrecque

Hubert Lemelin & Michel Larose Stéphane L'Espérance & Carmen Hernandez In memory of Monique Lussier Dr. Jacqueline McClaran & Dr. Jonathan Meakins Vincent Picard-Dufresne & Amélie Michaud Jean-Pierre Primiani & Christine Paulino Tourisme Montréal

$1,200+ Louise Ahdoot Munirah Amra Raymond Bachand & Micheline Brazeau Daniel A. Beaulieu Dr. Lorraine Bell & Ralph Thompson Bunny Berke & Larry Lusko Carole & Myer Bick Hy & Joan Bloom Pierre-Yves Boivin Mathieu Bouchard Yves Boulanger Me Luc Bourbonnais Fondation Pierre R. Brosseau Jonathan Brotto André Canakis Ezio Carosielli Jean Charbonneau Toxicologue Inc. Jacques L. Charuest Dr J.P. Chiasson, MD, F.A.S.A.M. Dr Richard Cloutier Sandro D'Annibale Richard de Blois Isabelle Demers - idmrs Alain Desmeules James Dorff & Laurent Thibault Michel Drapeau Jean Duclos & Isabelle Beaudin David Essiambre CPA Dana Even Pierre Filiatrault Stephen James Fogarty & Christine Fogarty Claire Fournelle Pascale Garneau Antoine Gervais, in memory of Raymond Gervais Mouna & Elias Ghannoum Marina Gusti Philippe Harvey Designer

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THE PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY (CONTINUED) Michel Hogue & Richard Raymond Peter Hunt Dr. Calvin Kalman Denise Lambert Nan & Bill Lassner Raymonde Lavoie Christiane LeBlanc Martin Lépine Thomas Leslie, MMM, CD Dr André Levasseur Kejun Liang, in honour of Frédéric Antoun Tina Liu The Irving Ludmer Family Foundation Éric Martel & Josiane Lamy Joanne & Guy McLean Eric & Jane Molson Maria Morse MBA, CPA & Martin Roberge Antonella Pagano, thanks to Vanda Trieser Famille Pierre Provencher Ginette Quintal Louis Racine & Marie Christine Torchio Drs. Alexandra & Mark Reich Évangéline Richard Lesley & Mark Robinson Catherine Rowe & John Di Gironimo Madeleine Roy Yolanda Sabetta Succession Henriot M. Sabourin & Pierrette Couture Dr. Jinder Sall Jean-François Séguin Fondation St-Germain Kavanagh Howard Stotland Bernard St-Pierre-Marcotte & Francine Ouellette Karim Talaat Dr Jean-Pierre Talbot Ruth & Tony Terenzi Robert Thibaudeau Famille Vossos Diana C. Wall Dre Marie Youssef Linda & Joe Zalter Dr. Mark Zoccolillo Anonymous (3)

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FRIENDS OF THE OPERA DIRECTEUR $600+

Philippe Alcouffe Jocelyne Antille Paul Benoit Howard Bergman & Colette Pilon Danielle Bitton Robert Bourhis Michelle & Guy Bouthillier Peter Chiotis & Anthi Balafoutis Julie Choquet Jean-Pierre Deschamps Jan De Smet & Suzanne Venne Charles Draimin Hélène-Louise Dupont Élie Patrick Egger Lucy Fellowes Léopold Ferron Bernd & Margaret Filzer In loving memory of Kappy Flanders Claude Gagliardi Jacques Gagnon Thérèse Gagnon Giasson Mona Golfman Laurence Green Eren Halil Linda Houle Vincent Jean Francois Constantine Kyres Jocelyne Langevin Jean-Charles Le Brun & Normand-G. Robert Jung Lee George E. Lovick Camille Malouf Richard Margison & Valerie Kuinka René Marineau Sophie Massicotte Serge B. Melançon MJ Fiscalité inc.

Famille Morisset Noppen Salvatore Nicastro Mariella Pandolfi Jean-Pierre Paradis Louise Paré David Paulhus

Dr. Elsa Quiros-Calinoiu Frank Schlesinger SDBL Administration & Comptabilité inc.

Tamara Zakon Anonymous (8)

$300+ Alexandre Barradas André Beauchamp Carole Beaulieu Nicole Brodeur Agathe Bruneau Glenn Castanheira Moy Fong Chen Linda Cochrane Berney Creighton Micheline Desgagné In memory of Jacqueline Ducas Jacques Dussault Denis Faucher Daniel Filion Christiane Fortin Langevin John Galaty Shira Gilbert Richard Gut Louise Julien Berthe Kossak Pierre Lajoie Gilles Lanctôt Claude Laneuville Suzanne Laplante Guy Lemire Serge Marceau Allan Marr Simon Martin Suzanne Masson Scott Mckay Alain Orvoine Jean Ouellette Jennifer Paquet In memory of de Claire Parenteau Abbott Marie-Soleil Pichette Kate Puxley Hélène Rochon Bahjat Salem, food for the soul Lucie Sanfacon Dr Patrick Simard Médecin Inc.

V. Sirois Simon & Mathilde Tinawi Enrique Torrealba Anna-Maria Tsanaclis Gerald Zion Anonymous (8)

$120+ Joseph Allam Karyn Allen Valentin Bachelier Sylvain Barrette Michel & Margy Beaulne Manon Lalancette & Luc Bédard Robert Belanger In memory of de Jean-Guy Benoit Serge Benoit Francesco Biondi Morra Di Belforte Élaine Bissonnette In memory of de Normand Blais Eileen & Herb Borsuk MJ Bouffard Robert Boulanger Danielle Bourget Gaetan Breton Michel Brisson Susan Brown Johanne Brunet Mary Beth Campbell Louise Cantin Gregoire Cavalli Simone Chevalier Elena Chirokova Maryse Chynchuck Florina Clatisteanu Sylvain Collette Dre Michelle Comeau Teodor Gabriel Crainic Richard Crête France De Garie Normand Denault Monique Denis Francine Deschamps Lise Deslauriers Colette Desrochers Luc Doray Myriam Douville Renaud Drolet

Vladimir DT Janka Dvornik Catherine Ernst Janice Fetsch Francesca & Michele Fiorilli Josée Fournier Louise Fraser Eveline-Louise Gagné Lawrence Gamache, Opera's friend Magella Girard Amy Grainger Patricia Grainger Jocelyne Guay Robert Hamelin Peter D. Hannen Patrick Hansen Helen Haslam Suzanne Hebert-Vaillant Sherley Henry Nathalie Ishak Irena Iwanyckij Thomas Kelly Daniel Kinsella Christoph Laeer Louise Lafontaine Akbar Lalani Brigitte Lalande Gerard Lavelle Marie-Claire Lavigueur Christina Lazarova Marie-Claude Le Clair Katerie Leclerc Sylvia L'Écuyer Silvie Ledoux Marcel D. Legault Sylvie Levesque Jacob T. Levy & Shelley Clark Barbara Lewis Maxime Loisel Robert Lorange Leslie Lubin In memory of de Françoise Mageau Daniel B. Majeau Lucie Malenfant Monique Martel Maryse Martin Murielle Matteau & Daniel Ladouceur, in memory of Jacqueline Ducas (1931-2024) Jocelyne Morin

Linna Muller-Wille Alfred Ouellet P.K. Pal Desiree Park Monique Pauzé Michel Perrault & Joanne Bazinet Lise Pierre Pierre Jason Poirier Lavoie Serge Poisson-de-Haro John Bossange & Lynne Poteau Catherine Potvin Astri Prugger Jean-Pierre Racette Pierrette Rayle Carmen Reid K. Rice & R. Fréchette Marc-André Roberge Martine Robertson Renée & Joseph Rouleau † Yves Roy Richard Sabbagh Caroline Samson Marianne Schlegel Alison Silcoff Patricia Spry Raymonde St-Pierre Jean Taillefer Zivojin Tanich In memory of de Raoul & Helene Tessier Richard Tremblay Edward Turgeon Suzanne Vadboncoeur Marc Vézina Susan Vincelli Christine Vozoris Anonymous (20)

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Un soutien bienveillant et visionnaire pour la relève de l’opéra Nurturing and visionary support for future opera stars

Merci aux Initiatives Vanda Treiser de contribuer à propulser les carrières des jeunes artistes de l’Atelier lyrique !

Thank you to Vanda Treiser Initiatives for helping propel the careers of emerging artists at the Atelier lyrique!

La Fondation Azrieli est fière de soutenir l’Opéra de Montréal dans la découverte, l’élévation et l’amplification de nouvelles voix.

The Azrieli Foundation is proud to support Opéra de Montréal in discovering, elevating and amplifying new voices.

azrielifoundation.org

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In November, guests united to support the next generation of artists, investing in the voices that will define tomorrow’s stages.

It was a glamorous celebration – and a statement that the future of opera is bright, bold, and full of promise.

Thank you for being part

of this extraordinary evening and for ensuring that opera’s most exciting voices will resonate for years to come!

Our sponsors NATIONAL AUDITIONS PARTNERS

SILVER – $15 000 Assante

Madame Vanda Treiser and in memory of Benjamin Treiser

Blakes & Patrick Menda

Stingray

Fasken

Davies Gowling WLG Lavery

GOLD – $25 000

Groupe Leclair

Castleton Mortgages

Vocalex Inc.

LCI Education

McCarthy Tétrault Lallemand

A Benefit Evening Where Tomorrow’s Stars Shine TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2025 Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier

TICKETS

cocktail + concert $195

concert only $75

Gala Talent is an immersion at the heart of opera, an unmissable encounter with the great voices of tomorrow.

Secure your seats now!

Multiple packages available

operademontreal.com/programmation/gala-talent

Visionary Artistic Patron

Public Partners

Programming and Production Partners

Québec Creation Partner

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Civic Impact and Education Partners

Atelier lyrique Partners Major Partners

Presenting Partners

National Audition Partner MRS. VANDA TREISER and in in memory of MR. BENJAMIN TREISER

Media Partners

Service Partners DoubleTree by Hilton Montréal LaCité

GLO

Graphiscan Le Mille Neuf

Place des Arts

GRDN Malinki

Sélect Vins AdVini

Hôtel ZERO1

Marie-Claude Paquette, graphic designer ViniPassion

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Management Team

Patrick Corrigan, general director Michel Beaulac, artistic director Louis Bouchard, director of strategic operations Hélène Turp, associate to the general director Nicolas Bourry, artistic administrator PRODUCTION Pierre Massoud, production director / Marie Hélène Larivière, production coordinator / Patrick Belzile, technical director / Drew Lyall, Jimmy Deschênes, technical assistant directors / Laurence Pronier, stage manager / Dominique Guindon, head of wardrobe / Sonya Bayer, associate head of wardrobe / Sandra Chirico, wardrobe Supervisor ATELIER LYRIQUE DE L’OPÉRA DE MONTRÉAL Jennifer Szeto, director, Atelier Lyrique / Marie Maous, program manager / Geneviève Lessard, production manager

Administration

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Stéphanie Laichi, director, marketing and communications / Marie-Pier Perron, manager, marketing / Daniella Johnson, manager, communications and public relations / Darnyse Memnon, manager, client services / Alice Menut, project manager, marketing / Claire Ing, sales coordinator / Aliyah Mitchell Richer, Ambre Vigier, Antoine Hatem, agents, customer care PHILANTHROPY Jean-Pierre Primiani, Chief Philanthropy Officer / Antoine Gervais, philanthropy and partnerships manager / Audrey Le Cour, philanthropy and partnerships Officer / Amy Grainger, philanthropic operations and communications manager / Marion Malon, project manager, philanthropic events / Géraldine Leong Sang, philanthropic operations and communications coordinator / Micol Battaglia, Mathieu Amoos, assistants, philanthropy COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION Pierre Vachon, director, community engagement and education / Charlotte Gagnon, manager, social impact and education / Marie-Line Arragon, coordinator, social impact and education FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES Maria Morse, director, finance and administration / Marie-Claude Lagacé, Jessica Yip, clerks, accounting / Ndieme Diene, clerk, payroll RESSOURCES HUMAINES Elisabeth Malo, director, human resources

Current Production Team

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPLIERS:

PRODUCTION

SoftBox intégration inc.: lighting rental

Pierre Massoud, production director / Marie Hélène Larivière, production manager / Patrick Belzile, technical director / Drew Lyall, Jimmy Deschênes, technical directors assistants / Olivier Ouellet-Hébert, video technique director

Trans Québec Audiovisuel: audiovisual support Les Entreprises Truck'N Roll: transportation

STAGE MANAGEMENT Laurence Pronier, head stage manager / Bethzaïda Thomas, stage manager / Chloé Ekker, Thomas Lussier, assistant stage managers SURTITLES Myriam Provost-Riel, projector / Mélanie Caillierez, Danny Kay, Christine Archambault, Shelley Gaffe, surtitles correctors / Elaine Normandeau, surtitles creator COSTUMES Dominique Guindon, head of wardrobe / Sonya Bayer, associate head of wardrobe / Sandra Chirico, wardrobe supervisor / Anne-Sophie Boucher, Marie-Claire Doyon, Sandrine Moreau, Christine Tremblay, Mireille Tremblay, Gabriella Faraniaccio, seamstresses / Cassandre Josépovic, wardrobe technician / Richard Provost, hat maker and tailor / Mélanie Richard, Alain Spooner, pattern makers / Guylaine Gagnon, cobbler / Caitlin Okum, intern / Mélanie Turcotte, patina / Geneviève Fortin, head dresser (ODM) / Joël Boudreault, head dresser (PDA Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier) PROPS Madeleine Saint-Jacques, Philippe Pointard, heads, props MAKE-UP, HAIR AND WIGS

Board of Directors PRESIDENT René Branchaud Lavery VICE-PRESIDENT Elizabeth Wirth Wirth-Brand Inc., Wirth Rail SECRETARY Alysia Yip-Hoi Martin Maison Alysia TREASURER Sylvie Marois Banque Nationale Gestion privée 1859

MEMBERS François Carrier Desjardins Marché des capitaux Bruno-Étienne Duguay NOVACAP Joanie Lapalme Fasken

Julie Casault, department head, makeup, hair and wigs / Pierre Lafontaine, head hairdresser / Marie-Ève Ménard, Manon Alexandre, Karine Deest, Kimberly Murphy, Guylaine Sant, André Duval, hairdressers / Camiel McLean, Marianne Bobet, Stéphanie Villemaire, Johanne Doyon, Alexe-Rose Francoeur, Jacques Besner, makeup

François Loubert Clinique médicale Angus

COURIER

Vanda Treiser Philanthropist

Alexandre Renaud

Stage Technicians OPÉRA DE MONTRÉAL

Daniel Masse, head machinist / Julie Latulippe, Martin Jannard, head machinist assistants / Pierre Veniot, head, sound / Olivier Venne, head of sound assistant / David Leblanc, Isabelle Gagnon, head of props / Martin Turgeon, Nicolas Bernier, head of props assistants / Charles Denis, head stage-hand / Eric Piché, head stage-hand assistant / Saturnin Goyer, chief electrician / Chantal Dostie, chief electrician assistant Technical stage services are provided by: IATSE Local 56

Guillaume Marion Sagard Louise Roy, O.C., O.Q. CIRANO Bernard Stotland, F.C.A., F.C.P.A. Richter

Daniel Turp Université de Montréal Joan Vogelesang Joan Vogelesang (JV) Consultants Vickie Zhao Philanthropist

CALENDAR

CONCOURS MUSICAL INTERNATIONAL DE MONTRÉAL MAY 25 TO JUNE 6, 2025 Bourgie Hall and Maison Symphonique

Voice 2025 Prices and packages available at concoursmontreal.ca The CMIM is an internationally renowned competition that showcases the most promising musicians of the new generation in classical music. This high-profile showcase shapes the future of the classical music scene by providing laureates with invaluable visibility and professional opportunities. The 2025 edition dedicated to Voice will bring together 24 exceptional opera singers for a unique musical and human adventure.

The Opéra de Montréal is proud to collaborate in this event by awarding $5,000 in support of the Opéra de Montréal Aria Prize to the Grand Prize winner of the 2025 Voice edition, to be announced on June 6.

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La Gazette est fière d’appuyer l’Opéra de Montréal.

The Gazette is a proud supporter of the Opéra de Montréal.

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montrealgazette.com/opera

25-26 Season

Mozart

Bizet

4 operas starting at 118$

operademontreal.com