Spotlight on Atelier lyrique Talent

Text: Justin Bernard

Pascale Spinney, Sarah Dufresne, Lucie St-Martin and Lauren Margison will each be appearing in a leading role in the Opéra de Montréal's 24/25 Season. Their paths are singular, but they can all agree on the key role played by the Atelier lyrique in shaping their careers and their artistic identities.

Overcoming Fears

"It's a tough job. Unfortunately, competition is inevitable and can really tarnish friendships," admits Lauren Margison. Pascale Spinney shares the same view of an industry that is highly contingent and which, she believes, naturally attracts personalities with big ambitions. In this context, the Atelier lyrique appears to be a refuge, a "safe environment", she says, which allows you to prepare yourself well to deal with this kind of situation.

If the institution offers an environment conducive to all kinds of learning about the craft, it is also to help young artists get out of their comfort zone and challenge themselves. Lauren Margison has managed to overcome her insecurities and is now ready for the role of Mimi in La Bohème.

First Steps on the Big Stage

Among the most vivid memories of their time at the Atelier lyrique, most mention their first mainstage roles: Sarah Dufresne (Nora) in Riders to the Sea, Pascale Spinney (Kate Pinkerton) in Madama Butterfly, Lauren Margison (Sister Mathilde) in Dialogues des Carmélites.

Lucie St-Martin, who will soon be playing The child in L'Enfant et les Sortilèges, remembers more the time she spent away from home, particularly during a recording session at Domaine Forget, which was marked by a spirit of camaraderie, mutual concern and... playing in the snow!

A Window on the World

The Atelier lyrique attracts a community of professionals who are experts in the field, helping young talent and fostering their artistic development. Thanks to voice teacher Ariane Girard, Sarah Dufresne discovered a greater richness of timbre. Sarah, who will sing Ophelia in Hamlet, also remembers Esther Gonthier, the pianist coach who accompanied her at the beginning of her studies at McGill University. "Working with her again allowed me to see how much I'd grown," she says.

Lucie St-Martin agrees: "I feel like I joined the programme in 2020 as a student and graduated as a young professional". The Atelier lyrique gave her the chance to cross paths with influential figures in the field, including Jean-François Lapointe, who invited her to sing at the Opéra de Québec, and Cheryl Hickman, who offered her a contract with Opera on the Avalon in Newfoundland.

Pascale Spinney recalls her meeting with Lena Hellström-Färnlöf, a guest singing teacher at the Atelier with whom she continues to work. This specialist gave her the keys to learning the coloratura passages, a decisive aspect in her preparation for the role of Rosina in The Barber of Seville.

It was also at the Atelier that the mezzo-soprano found all the resources she needed to sing well at various auditions, which opened the doors to the prestigious Santa Fe Opera Festival and, more generally, to the North American market. From there, her network of contacts grew and grew.

That said, Montréal has a flavour that other opera cities don't have. "Every time I've come back to work at the Opera as a professional, I've always felt like I was coming home." A feeling shared by Lucie St-Martin and Lauren Margison.

In addition to the range of resources and opportunities offered to them during their residency, they have now joined the Career Development Program (CDP), designed to help artists and graduates pursue their projects. The CDP responds to a critical need in the first years of a career, whether by funding training, covering the costs associated with auditions and singing competitions, or providing professional support to ensure up-to-date visibility (photos, demo recordings).

Opéra de Montréal is a family affair! And as is often the case in families, it's not unusual for the 'young ones', the young artists who flourished in the Atelier, to return to the fold to shine in all their glory. This will certainly be the case in 24/25 with our four leads, each of whom will be taking on a major challenge in her own way!

Toï toï toï, dear Pascale, Sarah, Lucie and Lauren!