McGill and Université de Montréal: Building a collaborative piano/voice program

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In the spring of 2022, the Azrieli Foundation announced an unprecedented donation of $2 million to establish an artistic residency focused on art song and operatic repertoire. Six young pianists from around the world take part in an immersive nine-month program at McGill University and the University of Montreal.

Initiated by Sharon Azrieli, the UdeM–McGill Piano Vocal Accompaniment Residency aims to address “the lack of collaborative pianists with the necessary skills to work with experienced singers.” Co-directed by two experienced pianists and vocal coaches—Michael McMahon (McGill) and Francis Perron (UdeM)—the program allows candidates to train with international experts.

“The people we invite are not just great teachers; they are the best in the world,” says McMahon, a professor at the Schulich School of Music. During the first edition, this included figures like James Vaughan, head vocal coach at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan; Graham Johnson, professor at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama; John Churchwell, head of music at the San Francisco Opera; Jeff Cohen, professor at the Conservatoire de Paris (CNSDM); Wolfram Rieger, professor at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin; and the baritone François Le Roux, a specialist in French melody and director of the Académie Francis Poulenc.

“We have structured the visits of the guest professors around different themes,” says Perron, professor at the Université de Montréal. During an intensive 10-day period, each artist shares their knowledge on Lied, French melody, opera, lyrical diction, musical style, or poetry.

Throughout the rest of the year, participants take continuo classes with harpsichordist Luc Beauséjour, accompany singing lessons, and participate in opera rehearsals at both universities.

Students also participate in weekly seminars with Perron and McMahon. “It was really like a laboratory where we could ask questions, learn, and exchange with the singers who were also participating in this activity,” explains Michel-Alexandre Broekaert, a Quebec pianist in the 2022-23 cohort.

Recently appointed professor at the Rimouski Conservatory, Broekaert highlights the spirit of collegiality and camaraderie present among the pianists. “We made friends for life,” he says. The camaraderie among the young artists was noticed by their teachers: “What I liked very much,” says Perron, “is to see how the relationships among the pianists developed. The fact that they work as a group and learn together, has fostered contact and the exchange of knowledge among them. It’s something I’ve always wished for.”

Thanks to the Azrieli Foundation, all pianists receive a full scholarship covering program fees in addition to a monthly living allowance. As the single largest interuniversity donation in Canada, the foundation’s support allows young pianists to fully benefit from the expertise and resources offered by the two universities.

A career development fund is also allocated to the pianists, so they can participate in an internationally renowned workshop, academy, or internship. Participants have trained at the Franz Schubert Institute and the Aspen Music Festival, recorded albums, and learned German at the Goethe Institute. “We wanted everyone to learn as much as possible,” says McMahon. “Our idea was that if we train pianists, they will be able to disseminate the information with others in the future.”

Broekaert confirms that “Michael and Francis are extraordinary teachers who only wish for our happiness.” The residency puts these early career artists back “in a position to learn, to be coached. To do this well, you must agree to be vulnerable, to question your beliefs, to be flexible, curious, and to trust those who want to take care of you,” Broekart adds.

In addition to accompanying singers in recitals, each pianist gives a concert of their own. The candidates also collaborate with a visiting singer, by sharing their program during a recital that Perron and McMahon affectionately refer to as “the twelve-hands concert.” The guest for 2022-23 was Montreal International Music Competition laureate, Harriet Burns. This year, bass-baritone Milan Sviljanov will share the stage with the six pianists coming from five different countries (Brazil, France, Israel, Russia, and Canada).

The 2023-24 season welcomes guest professors James Vaughan from La Scala; Warren Jones, former professor at the Manhattan School of Music; Pierre Vallet, pianist and conductor at the Metropolitan Opera; and internationally renowned collaborative pianist, Helmut Deutsch. Deutsch and Vaughan will each bring an international soloist—Julia Muzychenko-Greenhalgh (soprano) and Francesco Demuro (tenor)—with whom they will perform on Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Pollack Hall and on March 18, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. at Salle Claude-Champagne.

Perron and McMahon are deeply grateful for the Azrieli Foundation’s donation. “Bringing these artists here to Montreal is an extraordinary opportunity. These young musicians would normally have to travel all over the world to acquire all this knowledge in the span of a year,” says Perron.

The program allows for a unique collaboration between two institutions that usually compete to attract and retain students. “The fact that this is facilitated through collaborative piano is somewhat poetic because we, as collaborative artists, believe above all in human interaction and the sharing of knowledge. It’s a small victory for us and for the Montreal musical community,” says Broekaert.