World Premiere
L’hiver attend beaucoup de moi
by Laurence Jobidon and Pascale St-Onge
preceded by
La voix humaine
by Francis Poulenc and Jean Cocteau
Espace Go
March 19, 21, 24, 26, and 28, 2020 at 7:30 pm
March 22, 2020 at 2 pm
Female Focused Opera!
The Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal presents a new—all-female—work from Quebec, preceded by one of Francis Poulenc’s landmark operatic works. Stage direction for the double bill has been entrusted to Solène Paré, a rising star on the Montreal theatre scene whose last success, Les Louves, was presented at Espace Go in the fall.
La voix humaine by Poulenc and Cocteau is a veritable stylistic feat that poses a major challenge for soprano France Bellemare, the only singer on stage for an entire act-long telephone conversation, interspersed with moments of silence. Its central theme is the breakup of a relationship—devastating, cruel, harrowing. Marie-Ève Scarfone, the Atelier lyrique’s head vocal coach and the musical director for the work, performs the piano score.
“I am very happy to be working once again with France Bellemare, whose career has been flourishing since she left the Atelier lyrique in 2016. To see her carry this demanding role with such aplomb fills me with pride,” says Chantal Lambert, director of the Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal. “This work pairs beautifully with the new work that follows it,” she continues.
In the dead of a harsh Quebec winter, two strangers come together to travel the road towards what they hope will be a new—and better—life; remaining united, the women hope to improve their chances of escaping the violence they have been subjected to until now. This is the premise of L’hiver attend beaucoup de moi, an all-new work and the first opera by a duo of Quebec women—composer Laurence Jobidon and librettist Pascale St-Onge—being given its world premiere. Vanessa Croome and Florence Bourget, two artists in residence at the Atelier lyrique, perform this poignant work, accompanied on piano by the work’s musical director and former Atelier lyrique member Jennifer Szeto.
“We truly fell for Laurence and Pascale’s powerful work at the presentation of the Mécénat Musica Prix 3 femmes awards in 2018,” adds Lambert. “We immediately knew that we had to commission a work from them this season and we are absolutely delighted with the result,” she concludes.
“The Opéra de Montréal is proud to serve as a platform for local artists and creators, showcasing not only their talent but the stories and values of our beautiful land as well,” states Patrick Corrigan, General Director of the Opéra de Montréal. “L’Hiver attend beaucoup de moi is the first in a series of five new works that the company will be presenting over five years, and we are very excited at the idea of seeing them come together,” concludes Corrigan.
Tickets
Single Tickets
Opéra de Montréal box office: 514-985-2258 • 1 877 385-2222
operademontreal.com
Place des Arts box office: 514-842-2112 • 1 866 842-2112
Starting at $25
