Place à l’Opéra Series
PLACE À L’OPÉRA Series
The Opéra de Montréal is offering another season of opera explorations focussing on works presented during the season. These talks bring together various specialists who will shed some light on the works. All presentations will be hosted by musicologist Pierre Vachon (Ph.D.).
LA TRAVIATA by VERDI
After the success of Rigoletto (2010) and Il trovatore (2011), the Opéra de Montréal concludes its presentation of Verdi's “popular trilogy”. Inspired by the immortal La dame aux camélias, this timeless drama remains one of the world's most frequently performed operas. A high-calibre European cast is featured here, led by outstanding star Myrtò Papatanasiu. SYNOPSIS: Violetta, a well-known courtesan, is in love with Alfredo, a young man from a good family. Alfredo’s father convinces Violetta to renounce her love for the sake of honour... Overcome with despair and illness, sacrificed upon the altar of convention, Violetta meets her end.
GUESTS
Louis Bilodeau, literature professor, Collège Ahuntsic
Allan Hepburn, literature professor, McGill University
Richard Turp, artistic director (Festival Lachine) and cultural advisor
September 10, 2012, 7:30 pm – Segal Center - $5
September 13, 2012, 7 pm – Grande Bibliothèque (in French)
THE FLYING DUTCHMAN by WAGNER – CELEBRATION OF THE 200th of Wagner
Highlighting a prestigious bicentennial, Wagner makes a grand return to the Opéra de Montréal! An early masterpiece by a composer who would go on to revolutionize opera. A story of love and death driven by a raging orchestra and voices as powerful as gale force winds! SYNOPSIS: Senta loves the mysterious captain to whom her father has promised her hand in marriage. She doesn’t realize that he is a ghost: the sinister “Flying Dutchman”, condemned to roam the sea for all eternity, until he finds a woman who is willing to love him…
GUESTS
Sylvia L'Écuyer, musicologist and host of Opéra du samedi (Radio-Canada)
Jürgen Heizmann, German literature professor, Université de Montréal
Robert Markow, lecturer, musician and opera specialist
November 1, 2012, 7 pm – Grande Bibliothèque (in French)
November 5, 2012, 7:30 pm – Segal Center - $5
DIE FLEDERMAUS by JOHANN STRAUSS II
The prince of Quebec tenors, Marc Hervieux, heads a cast made up entirely of Canadians for this masterpiece by Johann Strauss II, the undisputed master of Viennese operetta. Stage director Oriol Tomas transposes the setting to Montreal in the 1930s… Chic Westmount mansions, nightclubs, a surprise appearance by a star… SYNOPSIS: Sentenced to spend a few days in jail, Eisenstein decides to postpone his punishment by first stopping in at Prince Orlovsky’s ball. At the party, he makes eyes at a mysterious Hungarian countess, who is actually his own wife in disguise. Everyone lies, everyone dances… but no matter, as there is only one guilty party: champagne!
GUEST
Pascal Blanchet (PhD), musicologist, operetta specialist and script writer
January 17, 2013, 7 pm – Grande Bibliothèque
January 21, 2012, 7:30 pm – Segal Center - $5
DEAD MAN WALKING by JAKE HEGGIE – QUeBeC PREMIERE
A historic Quebec premiere: a powerful, leading work of today’s opera repertoire—acclaimed the world over—and a strong appeal against the death penalty. The true story of Sister Helen Prejean, which inspired the Oscar-winning film, is staged here by one of Canada's leading stage director, Alain Gauthier. SYNOPSIS: In his cell, a prisoner condemned to die awaits his final hour, abandoned by all. One person dares to make her way through the prison gates, a nun who cannot tolerate the idea of a man dying without the face of love before him…
GUESTS
Chantal Lambert, soprano and director, Atelier lyrique de l'Opéra de Montréal
Béatrice Vaugrante, general director, Amnesty international French Canada
Moderator (Segal Center) : Richard Turp, lecturer and opera specialist
February 28, 2013, 7 pm – Grande Bibliothèque
March 4, 2013, 7:30 pm – Segal Center - $5
MANON by MASSENET
A classic of the French opera repertoire… a mix of levity and gravity, the reflection of its moving and carefree heroine. In the title role: rising young soprano Marianne Fiset offers Montreal the role in which she made her debut at the Opéra-Bastille. Alongside her, another rising star, Canadian baritone Gordon Bintner, making his debut here after winning top prize at the Standard Life/OSM Competition, and Portugese tenor Bruno Ribeiro. SYNOPSIS: Manon is about to enter the convent when she meets the Chevalier des Grieux. Love struck, they run off together to Paris, poor but in love... Corruption, disgrace, and exile await Manon before she dies in the arms of the man she loves.
GUEST
Sylvia L'Écuyer, musicologist and host of Opéra du samedi (Espace musique, Radio-Canada)
May 9, 2013, 7 pm – Grande Bibliothèque
May 13, 2013, 7:30 pm – Segal Center - $5
INFO
Grande Bibliothèque: 514.873.1100 (toll free: 1 800 363.9028)
Segal Center: 514.739.2301