The Opéra de Montréal’s 2018-2019 season: Opera, an exceedingly relevant art form

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Montreal, Tuesday, February 20, 2018 – In addition to its four operas at Place des Arts this season, the Opéra de Montréal will present a chamber opera at the Centaur Theatre, and a unique recital by an opera star at the Festival du Monde Arabe.

On the program, great artists of today—including many Canadians making a name for themselves on the world’s major stages—bringing us stories both gripping and deeply moving. Two well-known creative artists will also take their first steps in the world of opera: Quebec filmmaker Charles Binamé will present his vision of Carmen, while renowned jazz trumpeter Terence Blanchard will bring us the Canadian premiere of his opera Champion.

Dynamic artists and artisans, new works and bold reinterpretations of the repertoire, pairings between the Opéra de Montréal and Montreal cultural organizations… all demonstrate that opera is an art form that is renewing itself and that remains more relevant than ever.

Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi                                        A deeply moving drama

A must-see classic of the Italian repertoire

Cruel jester by day, loving father by night… Rigoletto is well aware of the dangers his daughter Gilda faces in the court of the depraved Duke of Mantua. His efforts to keep her hidden away are in vain: the unscrupulous Duke finds Gilda and seduces her. To avenge his daughter, the jester hires an assassin, but a curse upsets his deadly plan.

Inspired by Victor Hugo’s play Le roi s’amuse, this fast-paced opera delivers a succession of famous arias and choruses. Under the spotlight, stars of the opera stage enthusiastically portray Verdi’s emblematic characters.

Presented in Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, September 15 – 18 – 20 – 22, 2018 – 7:30 PM

In Italian with English and French surtitles

Cast:

Rigoletto: James Westman

Gilda: Myriam Leblanc

Duke: Rame Lahaj*

Sparafucile: Vartan Gabrielian*

Maddalena: Carolyn Sproule

 

Conductor: Carlo Montanaro*

Stage Director: Michael Cavanagh

Sets: Robert Dahlstrom*

Orchestre Métropolitain

Opéra de Montréal Chorus

 

Das Rheingold by Richard Wagner                           A spectacular production

A legendary saga featuring powerful voices

In the waters of the Rhine, deformed dwarf Alberich steals the gold he needs to forge a ring that will make him ruler of the world if he renounces love. Wotan, ruler of the gods, in turn steals Alberich’s gold, using it to pay for his luxurious fortress, the seat of his power. Stripped of his ring, the dwarf curses all those who wear it.

Wagner’s masterful work returns to the Opéra de Montréal for the first time in over 20 years. Das Rheingold, the first part of Wagner’s tetralogy, is a true parable of the history of the world and was a source of inspiration for The Lord of the Rings. Bewitching music sung by mythical creatures makes for a total experience in a world in which gods, humans, and giants cross paths.

Presented in Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, November 10 – 13 – 15 – 17, 2018 – 7:30 PM

In German with English and French surtitles

Cast:

Wotan: Ryan McKinny

Alberich: Nathan Berg*

Fricka: Aidan Ferguson

Fasolt: Julian Close*

Fafner: Soloman Howard*

Freia: Caroline Bleau

Loge: Roger Honeywell

Mime: David Cangelosi*

Donner: Gregory Dahl

Froh: Steeve Michaud

Erda: Meredith Arwady*

Conductor: Michael Christie

Stage Director and Sets: Brian Staufenbiel*

Costumes: Mathew J. LeFebvre*

Lighting: Nicole Pearce*

Projections: David Murakami*

Orchestre Métropolitain

Production: Minnesota Opera

 

Champion by Terence Blanchard & Michael Cristofer       Canadian Premiere

Jazz meets opera in the boxing ring

Welterweight prizefighting champion Emile Griffith soars to celebrity status yet ends up in solitude after accidentally killing his opponent in the ring.

Composed by one of today’s greatest jazzmen—trumpeter Terence Blanchard—, this is a moving account of forbidden love in mid-20th century American society.

Presented in Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, January 26 – 29 – 31 – February 2, 2019 – 7:30 PM

In English with English and French surtitles

Cast:

Emile Griffith: Arthur Woodley*

Young Emile Griffith: Aubrey Allicock*

Emelda Griffith: Catherine Anne Daniel

Benny “The Kid” Paret: Victor Ryan Robertson*

Howie Albert: Brett Polegato

Luis Griffith: Asitha Tennekoon*

Blanche / Sadie: Chantale Nurse

 

Conductor: George Manahan*

Stage Director: James Robinson*

Sets: Allen Moyer* – Washington National Opera

Costumes: James Schuette* – Opera Theatre of Saint Louis

Lighting: Christopher Akerlind*

Orchestre symphonique de Montréal / Opéra de Montréal Chorus

Production: Washington Opera

 

Carmen by Georges Bizet                                                        New production

A great filmmaker’s take on the most famous of operas

“Free she was born, and free she shall die.”

Enchanted by Carmen, corporal Don José joins her band of smugglers. Rejection and jealousy lead the love-struck man to commit an irreparable act.

Renowned filmmaker Charles Binamé will direct a talented young cast of Canadian artists. The ideal chance to rediscover this most classic of all classics!

Presented in Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, May 4 – 7 – 9 – 11, 2019 – 7:30 PM

In French with English and French surtitles

Cast:

Carmen: Krista de Silva

Don José: Antoine Bélanger

Escamillo: Christopher Dunham

Micaëla: France Bellemare

Zuniga: Cesar Naassy*

Remendado: Éric Thériault*

Dancaïre: Dominique Côté

Frasquita: Magali Simard-Galdès

Mercédès: Pascale Spinney

Conductor: Alain Trudel

Stage Director: Charles Binamé*

Sets: Olivier Landreville

Lighting: Alain Lortie

Orchestre Métropolitain

Opéra de Montréal Chorus

Costumes : Dominique Guidon

Production: Opéra de Montréal

Twenty-Seven by Ricky Ian Gordon & Royce Vavrek               Chamber opera

In their Parisian salon at 27 rue de Fleurus, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas welcome the greatest artists of the era: Hemingway, Picasso, Matisse, Fitzgerald. The context of the two World Wars will alter the quick wit and sense of mischief that was part of the famous couple’s daily life.

An irresistible recreation of the famous Parisian salon. A perfect opportunity to applaud our emerging artists. An opera that is not to be missed!

Presented at the Centaur Theatre, March 23 – 24 – 26 – 28 – 30 – 31, 2019

In English with English and French surtitles

Artists of the Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal

Piano: Marie-Ève Scarfone

Cello: Stéphane Tétreault*

Stage Director: Oriol Tomas

Production: Washington Opera  

L’Opéra au Festival du Monde Arabe

A concert evening with the great soprano Joyce El-Khoury at the Arab World Festival: a fusion of opera and Middle Eastern music.

Soloist: Joyce El-Khoury*

Piano: Laurent Philippe

 

Presented in Pollack Hall at McGill University, November 1, 2018

GET IN ON THE ACT! GET THE OPERA EXPERIENCE ONLINE AT OPERADEMONTREAL.COM

 

SUBSCRIPTIONS

To 4 operas, available now starting at $99 and on sale until November 17, 2018.

Opéra de Montréal box-office only: 514-985-2258 – 1 877 385-2222

 

SINGLE TICKETS

Single tickets and other products will go on sale June 5, 2018.

About the Opéra de Montréal

Founded in 1980 and based in Montreal, the Opéra de Montréal is the largest francophone opera company in North America. Last season, close to 70,000 spectators made their way through the company’s doors. Under the direction of General Director Patrick Corrigan and Artistic Director Michel Beaulac, the company’s season is made up of four operas, a production by the Atelier lyrique, and outreach activities. The Opéra is a key player in the city’s economic, cultural, and social development as, each season, it maintains working relationships with over 360 local businesses, and hires no less than 800 artists and craftspeople. Close to 80% of the artists appearing at the company are Canadian.

Further information: operademontreal.com

This page is also available in / Cette page est également disponible en: Francais (French)

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