Atelier lyrique | Opéra de Montréal

2011-2012 artists

Rossini et ses muses : Le grand dîner

Stars of tomorrow on stage at substantially affordable prices!

The Atelier lyrique has been a training ground for young professional opera singers since 1984. For the seventh consecutive season, these young singers are presenting a production of their very own in collaboration with the National Theatre School of Canada and the Monument-National.

ROSSINI AND HIS MUSES: The Big Banquet
March 10, 13, 15, and 17 at 7:30 pm

Friday, November 13, 1868, the day after a big feast, in a country villa in Passy. Rossini, in his twilight years, thinks back on some of the more significant events and encounters in his epicurean existence… Olympe Pélissier… Isabella Colbran… Chef Carême… his departure for Paris, and especially a magnificent gastronomic evening in November 1824 at the Auberge du veau qui tète…

Rossini and his Muses : The Big Banquet, a humorous, moving, and appetizing feast of some of Rossini’s most wonderful music, skilfully prepared by Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière and served up by the young artists of the Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal. A menu to delight the ears and palate, featuring excerpts from, among others, The Barber of Seville, The Italian Girl in Algiers, Cendrillon, William Tell, and such instrumental pieces as Les péchés de vieillesse. A delicious journey through the composer’s works.

Cast: Karine Boucher, Frédérique Drolet, Emma Parkinson, Isaiah Bell, Jean-Michel Richer and Tomislav Lavoie (guest artist)

Scenario and Stage Director: Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière

Musical Preparation: Claude Webster
Piano: Tina Chang
Sets: Diana Uribe*
Costumes: Laurence Gagnon*
Lighting: Françis Hamel*

*National Theater School of Canada

PLACE: Salle Ludger Duvernay, Monument-National, 1182, Saint-Laurent Blvd, Montreal, QC, H2X 2S5

PREOPERA: in conversation with Chantal Lambert, director of Atelier lyrique and Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière, stage director. At 6:30 pm, Salon Rouge. FREE

Training

The Atelier lyrique aims to equip these young artists for every aspect of their career. To that end, it offers a host of activities to develop skills in a variety of areas: vocal technique, musical performance, acting, diction, body language, physical and mental approach to performance, and career management. The internships—lasting one to three seasons—are developed by the Atelier lyrique team and are led by high calibre trainers (vocal coaches, vocal advisors, stage directors, conductors, singers, lecturers, and other specialists). Individual and group coaching, master classes, workshops, seminars, and various courses keep the young artists busy at a rate of about thirty hours per week. Over the course of their development, they are supervised, evaluated, and supported in the pursuit of their specific goals. They benefit from musical, theatrical, and linguistic resources offered in close collaboration with the Opéra de Montréal.

From studio to stage

Integration into the daily operations of an opera company allows the young artists to acquire invaluable experience, giving them a glimpse of the profession and a network of valuable resources to help them embark on their careers with confidence. The artists of the Atelier lyrique have the opportunity to take part in Opéra de Montréal productions, in one or more roles suitable to their abilities. Whether as soloists or covers, they learn to perform on stage while mastering major operatic works. Each season, their repertoire is enriched by several complete roles, along with many excerpts. Auditions are organized with directors of opera companies and other resource people, helping the young artists gain some recognition and providing them with advice on their opera careers.

The Atelier lyrique cultivates fruitful partnerships. For the eights year in a row, this March, the Atelier is staging its very own production in collaboration with the National Theatre School of Canada and the Monument-National. The young artists are also called on to participate in the majority of Opéra de Montréál outreach initiatives intended to make opera more accessible to a greater number of people and to significantly further its reach throughout the Montreal community and to young audiences. The Atelier lyrique appears in concert throughout the Maisons de la culture network and with other presenters in the Greater Montreal Region.

Recruitment

Canadian or Landed Immigrant candidates* who have completed their studies and are pursuing a career in opera are selected through auditions held in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. The final selection takes place in Montreal. The standards are high, as the artists will be called on to take part in Opéra de Montréal productions as of the first year of their internship. When selecting candidates of comparable quality, the administration favours candidates who are age 28 or under. In-depth training in vocal technique and solfeggio is essential for singers. The young artists are remunerated over the course of their internship and benefit from the training free of charge. Occasional financial aid is available to help them in their efforts to begin their careers. Information on national auditions and a registration form can be downloaded from the website.

* Candidates must be Canadians Citizens or have Landed Immigrant status at the time of application.

National auditions for pianists

National Auditions for PIANISTS – 2012-2013 Season
One position is available for the 2012-2013 season

Deadline for application : Friday, January 27, 2012 (date as postmark)

Auditions: February 2012, date to be confirmed

Repertoire will be specified ulteriorly.

Candidates must be Canadian citizens or have Landed Immigrant status at the time of application.

Together with the application form, applicants must submit the following:

Complete updated curriculum vitae;
8 X 10 photograph
Proof of age and Canadian citizenship;
One-page statement outlining one’s goals and reasons for joining the OdM’s Young Artist Program;
A cheque in the amount of $50 CAD payable to the
Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal (non refundable).
Do not send cash.

Incomplete applications will not be considered

Applicants will be informed by email if they have been granted an audition or an interview. Chosen applicants for the call back must prepare a repertoire chosen by the audition jury. Application files become the property of the Atelier lyrique de l’OdM and will not be returned.

Applications must be sent to

Marie Maous, Program Coordinator
Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal
260, boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest
Montréal (Québec) H2X 1Y9

Download the PDF registration form

INFORMATION
atelierlyrique@operademontreal.com

Upcoming Shows

1- Christmas Concert – Available from November 28 to December 5, 2011
60 to 90-minute concert The first part consists of opera arias by various composers including Puccini, Rossini, and Haydn; while the second part is made up of traditional and contemporary Christmas songs. Performed by 8 singers, with piano accompaniment. This show is ideally presented in a cabaret format, as no sets are used.

2- Le Docteur Miracle – Available from April 1st to April 26, 2012
One-act opera by Georges Bizet; 40 minutes Silvio, a young captain, and Laurette, daughter of the Podesta of Padua, are in love. As the young girl’s father is opposed to their marriage, the handsome soldier makes his way into their home disguised as a new servant, Pasquin. Given the responsibility of preparing the meals, he serves up an omelette that proves to be inedible. The Podesta, thinking that he has been poisoned, chases Pasquin/Silvio away and calls for Doctor Miracle. The doctor—Silvio in disguise once again—“saves” Laurette’s father in exchange for the young girl’s hand in marriage. 4 singers and a pianist, with props. Preceding this work will be a 45-minute recital of excerpts from Charles Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette and Gaetano Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore.

3- Mini-gala concert - Available at any time throughout the season
60 to 90 minutes, with or without an intermission A concert consisting of various arias, presented in a mini-gala format. Number of singers adapted to your needs.

4- Love Scenes, from Gluck to Menotti – Available from November 6 to December 1st
On the program: Substantial excerpts from Alceste by Gluck, Les pêcheurs de perles by Bizet, and The Telephone by Menotti. Six singers and a pianist will delight in sharing their joy with you.

INFORMATION:  Richard Bélanger: 514.985.2222, extension 2273  – rbelanger@operademontreal.com

Donors

A NEW SERIES OF ACTIVITIES FOR OUR DONORS IN 2011-2012!
Here’s a taste of what’s coming up. Be sure to join us!

Inaugural Concert
It’s a date… with the ten young artists of the Atelier lyrique, performing in their first concert of the 2011-2012 season. See and hear a few of last year’s protégés, along with some talented new recruits! Atelier lyrique Director Chantal Lambert will also take this opportunity to highlight some of the projects that will keep the artists busy all season long: concerts, master classes, a round table discussion, and the annual production.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 8 pm in the Piano Nobile at Place des Arts

Round Table Discussion with Artists from the Atelier lyrique
A unique event at which you will explore the career paths of emerging Canadian opera singers taking part in a round table discussion hosted by Pierre Vachon and Chantal Lambert. We also have a surprise in store for you!
Monday, October 17, 2011 from 7 pm to 9 pm, Room to be confirmed

National Auditions, final round – 2012/2013 season
Young artists discovered by Chantal Lambert (Director of the Atelier) and Michel Beaulac (Artistic Director of the Opéra de Montréal) return to perform in the final round of the National Auditions in Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier. We’ll ask you who your favourites are…
Monday, December 12, 2011, Time to be confirmed, Salle Wilfrid Pelletier

Master Class with Oriol Tomas, stage director of the production of Il trovatore
Oriol Tomas returns to the Opéra de Montréal to direct Il trovatore. After garnering critical acclaim for his debut at Pacific Opéra Victoria (Rodalinda) and for his work at the Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal (The Consul), we have invited him to take time out between two rehearsals to lead a master class. Be among the privileged few to witness this fascinating exchange of creative ideas!
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 7 pm in Room 1

Spotlight on the Rossini and his muses project
The young artists of the Atelier lyrique and Stage Director Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière open the doors to their rehearsal room to give you a special preview.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 2 pm in Show Media Room

End of Season Concert
Join the young artists of the Atelier lyrique one last time this season as they revisit the repertoire they explored throughout the 2011/2012 season! Rossini, Gounod, Gluck, Menotti…
Friday, May 18, 2012 at 7:30 pm in Piano Nobile