The Artist of the Week is Canadian baritone Geoffroy Salvas. He will be singing the role of Schaunard in Opéra de Québec‘s production of La bohème from May 16th to 23rd (tickets and info here).
Geoffroy was a first prize winner of the Concours International de Chant de Marseille in the operetta category in 2017 and a finalist of the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition in 2019. He also spent two seasons as a member of the Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal. Upcoming performances include Macbeth with Festival de Lanaudière, Great Mass in C Minor with the Montréal Symphony Orchestra and Mozart‘s Requiem with Orchestre symphonique de Sherbrooke.
This week, Geoffroy chats with us about what he’s reading and watching, the best thing about being an opera artist and his favourite mind-calming practice. Read on to find out more.
Which opera role do you want to be singing right now?
Valentin.
Which opera role do you want to be singing in 10 years?
Germont.
What’s something most people don’t know about opera life?
While some believe opera singers are the sole creators of their performance, we are actually part of a multifaceted creative ecosystem. Every role is shaped by the composer’s intent, the libretto, but also by the collective expertise of conductors, directors and colleagues. The final product is a synthesis of many artistic visions, brought to life in real time with all the complexity of live theatre.
Tent or hotel?
Hotel. I like to be cozy, especially before a performance.
What’s your favourite mind-calming practice?
Meditation is the easiest way to calm my mind: no fancy gear, no special space. Just a few minutes can work wonders.
What’s your favourite movie?
Beau Travail by Claire Denis and Do the Right Thing by Spike Lee.
What’s the best thing about being an opera artist?
Knowing you can reach people’s hearts. Opera is a powerful medium, and it is a blessing to carry its message.
Which album did you listen to last?
La terre est un homme by Ferneyhough (BBC Symphony, 2018).
What book are you reading at the moment?
Interprétation des lois, 5e édition by Pierre-André Côté and Mathieu Devinat.
Which TV show did you watch last?
The Wire.
Do you sing in the shower?
Yes! I’ve actually done two separate public performances that took place in a shower.
Do you have a funny joke for us?
I’m reading a book on reverse psychology. Don’t read it.
Do you enjoy cooking? If yes, what is your best dish?
Yes. I make a decent risotto with fresh truffles or asparagus, depending on the season.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
To be a supportive colleague onstage and offstage at all times, and to keep in mind, even when in a lead role, that opera is teamwork.
What is the ultimate goal of opera?
To engage and challenge us deeply with emotion, complexity and political meaning, offering a reflection on our world in an age of speed and fragmentation.
Are you a perfectionist?
Yes, but I see perfection as a driving ideal, not an expectation.
What does success look like to you?
Success is being able to live in alignment with who we are, where our choices reflect our values, even when it costs us.
LEARN MORE ABOUT GEOFFROY SALVAS
VISIT HIS WEBSITE
© Sylvie-Ann Paré
La bohéme
Opéra de Québec
CONDUCTOR: Clemens Schuldt
DIRECTOR: Jacques Leblanc
SET DESIGN: Ariane Sauvé
COSTUME DESIGN: Sébastien Dionne
LIGHTING DESIGN: Keven Dubois
RODOLFO: Riccardo Della Sciucca
MIMI: Alexandra Marcellier
MARCELLO: Hugo Laporte
MUSETTA: Élisabeth Boudreault
SCHAUNARD: Geoffroy Salvas
COLLINE: Tomislav Lavoie
BENOÎT: Robert Huard
La bohème is one of opera’s most beautiful love stories. A flame that burns brightly before fading too soon…
La bohème is one of opera’s most beautiful love stories. A flame that burns brightly before fading too soon…
A masterpiece by Giacomo Puccini, La bohème is one of the most moving and popular operas in the operatic repertoire. The story follows the passionate love affair of Rodolfo, a penniless poet, and Mimi, a fragile young embroiderer. Their meeting, in a freezing attic, is love at first sight, illuminating a daily life marked by poverty. Around them gravitate their artist friends who, amidst laughter, arguments, and carefree spirits, embody the fleeting beauty of youth.
Through music of infinite tenderness, Puccini, a master of verismo, infuses La bohème with raw and authentic emotion, accurately capturing the hopes and sorrows of his characters. With his sublime arias, including the famous “Che gelida manina”, he composes a score rich in contrasts, where bursts of joy and tragedy blend harmoniously. Its refined orchestration and unforgettable melodies make this opera a true gem of the operatic repertoire, capable of moving the listener with every listen.
This production will mark Clemens Schuldt’s debut at the Opéra de Québec. The conductor’s close collaboration with his orchestra brings a unique energy to the production, providing his fabulous cast with an ideal musical setting in which to shine. We can count on Jacques Leblanc’s talented director to move us with this magnificent poetry of everyday life!
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