When opera goes to meet its audience in times of a pandemic: Opéra Nomade is pop-ups, short and ephemeral interventions in the public space. A lyrical quartet, accompanied by electric piano and animated by a zany staging, presents excerpts from the operetta Die Fledemaus.
With its lively waltzes and recognizable melodies, this work lends itself wonderfully to bringing a little joy and brief moments of respite in a precarious period.
Alma Viva Productions will present an adaptation of excerpts from Johann Strauss' operetta Die Fledermaus as part of Opera in the Park in various parks and public spaces in Montreal during the months of August and September 2020.
In compliance with current public health regulations, the exact times and locations of the performances cannot be disclosed.
Baritone Vincent Ranallo's singing career centers mainly around the concert stage and creation of contemporary works, as numerous contemporary composers, from Québec as well as from Europe, have been inspired by his voice.
Hailed for the beauty and depth of expression of his voice, as well as for the infectious sentiment inherent to his interpretation, he has been invited to perform with a steadily growing number of ensembles, at festivals in North-America and in Europe. In 2017, he was invited to create the barytone solo in Éric Champagne's Te Deum with the New England Chamber Ensemble at Carnegie Hall in New York.
His artistic approach is inspired by his experience in theater and dance, as he is trained in classical ballet by the Grand Ballets Canadiens and has had occasions to work with choreographers like Marie-José Cartier and Estelle Clareton.
His latest collaborations include a first recording of the sacred works by Québec composer Auguste Descarries, released by Espace XXI, as well as a monograph of Martin Lachance's music.
Canadian director François Racine has led a career as opera director and teacher for many years.
Named «Artist of the year 2008-09» by Seatle Opera, Mr. Racine received accolades for Cosi fan tutte with Pacific Opera Victoria and for his innovative interpretation of Dido and Aeneas in Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland in 2010.
While a member of the Canadian Opera Company ùensemble, Mr. Racine assisted Robert Lepage on his productions of Erwartung and Bluebeard’s Castle, and later supervised and restaged performances at Edinburg, Hong Kong and Melbourne Festivals and later in Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Cincinnati, Montreal, Quebec and Seattle.
François Racine has directed opera productions for Opéra de Montréal, the Festival Opéra de Québec, Seattle Opera, The Canadian Opera Company in Toronto, Opera Lyra Ottawa, Opéra de Québec, La Jeune compagnie Opéra in La Chaux de Fonds, Swirzerland, Pacific Opera Victoria, Cincinnati Opera, the Edmonton Opera Association and the Vancouver Opera Festival.
As Opera Acting guest professor at l’Université de Montréal, François directed many operas and is now teaching the specialized acting class for singers.
Belgium native Pascale Verstrepen started studying the piano with Ho Thi The Van in 1998. After obtaining her BA at the University of Québec in 2001, in the class of Pierre Jasmin, she continues in the master's program at Université de Montréal under Paul Stewart. She obtained for two consecutive years (2000/2001) the stipend for excellency Nicole-Junca.
Pascale started to play in the orchestra led by her father Gène Capri, les Cordes de Velours, as early as age 14, in her second year of playing the piano. Today she still works mainly as a collaborative pianist for singers and instrumentists.
Additionally to her work as an accompanist at the Rudolf Steiner School of Montreal, where she teaches music and choir singing in the sector for continuous studies, Pascale also conducts the music program at the Coeur-Immaculé-de-Marie parish and directs two choirs, Polumnia and Equi-Vox Montreal.
Canadian Tenor David Menzies has been praised as a “powerhouse performer” (Ontario Arts Review) in repertoire ranging from the baroque to the contemporary. Greatly appreciated for his musicality and spirit of collaboration, he has been sought after in the creation of new works and premieres with the Banff Arts Festival, Winnipeg New Music Festival, McGill Contemporary Music Ensemble, Societé musique contemporaine de Québec, Ensemble Viva Voce, Voces Boreales, and Pax Christi Chorale. Prized as a chamber musician, he has recorded for Decca, Naxos, Analekta and ATMA labels and has been heard on Radio-Canada/Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
During the 2019-20 season, Mr. Menzies will perform Tito (La clemenza di Tito, Compagnie baroque Mont-Royal); Monteverdi Vespers (National Arts Centre Orchestra/Royal Winnipeg Ballet/Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal); Red Army Soldier (J.F.K., Opéra de Montréal); Bach Cantatas 7, 133, 174 (Serenata at St. John’s); Vivaldi Dixit Dominus (I Musici) and in concerts with Trio Ponté.
Recent performances include Beethoven Choral Fantasy and Bernstein A Quiet Place (Montreal Symphony Orchestra); David (David et Jonathas) and Paolino (Il matrimonio segreto); Bach Mass in B minor (Ensemble Caprice); Testis (St. Matthew Passion, Montreal Symphony Orchestra); Manasseh (Judith, Pax Christi); Ferrando (Così fan tutte, Opera da Camera); Basilio-Curzio (Le nozze di Figaro, Manitoba Opera); Haydn Missa in tempore belli (Thunder Bay Symphony); Messiah (Aradia Ensemble); Saint-Saëns Oratorio de Noël (Thirteen Strings); Acis (Acis and Galatea, Fondation Arte Musica); Jupiter (Naïs, Britten-Pears Baroque Orchestra); and Giuseppe/Gastone (La Traviata, Opéra de Montréal / Green Mountain Opera Festival).
Mr. Menzies obtained a Doctorate in Music from McGill University in 2010. He is an alumnus of the Opéra de Montréal’s Atelier lyrique, Tanglewood Music Centre, Banff Centre and the Britten-Pears School. The recipient of several career grants, including a development grant from the Canada Council for the Arts, David is also in demand as a voice pedagogue and coach with institutions such as McGill University’s Schulich School of Music and Sherbrooke University.
