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Every fall, young singers from across Canada prepare for auditions and competitions. The rewards are usually cash prizes and recognition. The set of auditions of the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques (JAL) organized by Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20 (TL20), however, is different—the jury includes many European opera directors and the prizes consist of contracts or tours in Europe. “I believe in giving singers the experience of auditioning and performing in Europe,” said tenor Alain Nonat, the group’s founder.
Originally from Paris, Nonat trained as a heldentenor and continued his studies in Montreal before returning to Europe in 1970 to begin his career.
Returning to Montreal in 1975, he married Canadian soprano Sylvia Burla and settled in Montreal. Performing opportunities locally being limited at that time, Nonat became a full-time elementary-school music teacher. His European experiences prompted him to look for ways to promote opera and dance to the public, and to help singers.
TL20’s first activities were aimed at the general public through its Festival of Opera and several thematic exhibitions devoted to composers, opera and dance. In 1980, the exhibition Pavillon de l’Opéra opened at Man and his World in Montreal, attracting more than 100,000 visitors in the summers 1980-83.
Giving Canadians valuable performing and auditioning experience has always been one of Nonat’s wishes. “While performing opportunities in Canada have increased, it is still important for Canadian musicians, especially singers, to find work in Europe if they want to have a career,” said Nonat, who began to develop partnerships and exchanges in Europe. This led to the creation of Les Journées de la musique française in 1987 and Les rencontres musicales tchèques et slovaques in 1991.
Finally, in 1994, the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques (JAL) was born to allow singers to audition in Canada in front of a jury of opera directors from Canada and mid-size European companies (the people who hire), with prizes that include engagements with those companies.
The first round of JAL is held across Canada in the spring and culminates with the finals in the fall at a Gala Concert in Montreal where young international singers (one year, a young American tenor Michael Fabiano) perform as part of the cultural exchange, and where an average of 10 singers receive prizes. More than 650 singers have benefited from singing before 100 stage directors, including mezzo-sopranos Julie Boulianne and Michèle Losier, as well as baritone Etienne Dupuis. JAL has also held editions in China and Japan.
The 30th Gala on Oct. 26 will feature 13 Canadian singers, plus six international singers from France, Germany, Mexico, China and South Korea. Marc Trautmann conducts the Hawkesbury Chamber Orchestra. www.l20.ca
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