Boutique d'opéra

Boutique d'opéra

Studio founded in Montreal in 1960 by Jacqueline Richard, pianist, André Bisson, baritone, and Paul Landry, administrator, with the aim of training operatic performers and technical staff. At first a travelling company, its initial production, Ferdinando Paer's Le Maître de chapelle, was presented in St-Georges-de-Beauce and in Montreal. In 1962 the group became a stationary company, enlisting singers, dancers, chorus masters (including Claude Létourneau), rehearsal pianists (Janine Lachance and Monik Grenier), directors (including Charlotte Boisjoli), and supplementary staff. A small theatre with 99 seats was opened, and nearly 70 performances of six chamber operas were given in less than six months: Hugo Weisgall's The Stronger (Montreal premiere); Menotti's The Medium; Mozart's The Impresario and L'Oca del Cairo; Offenbach's Le Mariage aux Lanternes; and Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors. The company ceased its activities in March 1964.