The Artist of the Week is Canadian tenor Antoine Bélanger who is currently in Montreal reprising his role as Znorko in Enigma. Originally premiered by l’Opera de Metz, it is now being produced by Opéra de Montréal, running April 7-14 (info and tickets here).
Antoine has performed numerous roles throughout his career with highlights including Faust, Werther, Don José in Carmen, Alfredo in La Traviata, Rodolfo in La Bohème, Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, and Roméo in Roméo et Juliette. He has performed with opera companies throughout North America and Europe including Opéra de Montréal, Opéra de Québec, Vancouver Opera, Calgary Opera, Opéra de Rennes and Opéra Eclaté. Next season Antoine will be returning to O de M to perform the role of Laërte in Thomas‘s Hamlet, running November 16-24 (info and tickets here).
We sat down to talk to Antoine about what inspired him to start singing, his love of The Lord of the Rings, and how his career has taught him to be resilient in the face of adversity. Read on to find out more:
What/who inspired you to sing?
My parents. I grew up surrounded by music. My great grandfather was a composer, my grandfather was a conductor, my grandmother was a pianist and my father is a tenor, conductor and was the artistic director of the Quebec City Opera. There was always music in the house. My siblings and I participated in many opera productions as extras throughout our childhood.
If you weren’t a singer you’d be _________?
A biologist. We have a lot to learn from nature .
Top 3 favourite composers
Puccini, Puccini, Puccini
What’s your favourite orchestral instrument?
The trombone for its majestic and warm sound. I entered music school as a trombone player.
Tent or hotel?
Tent… ah, nature.
Coffee or tea?
Both : coffee in the morning and tea in the afternoon.
What is one surprising thing that you have learned in becoming an opera singer?
I learned to be resilient; keeping my mind focused, learning from criticism instead of falling apart, delivering performances under all circumstances
What’s your favourite mind-calming practice?
Walking. It clears my mind and keeps me focused on the present moment.
What’s your favourite movie?
The Lord of the Rings, the short and the long version.
What’s your favourite non-classical band?
Les Cowboys Fringants
What’s the luckiest thing that has ever happened to you?
Meeting my wife
What’s the downside of being an opera artist?
Being away from my family
Are you a cat person or dog person?
Both, I appreciate the cat’s independence and the dogs attachment to its owner. I grew up with cats and dogs and still have both at home.
Are you happiest in the country or in the city?
Country.
Do you sing in the shower?
Yes.
Do you enjoy cooking?
I love to cook, especially meat; on the BBQ, in the oven, smoked, marinated, in a sauce and even raw (tartar).
What is one thing that you cannot live without?
Peanut butter.
What is the first thing you would do if you won the lottery?
Go on a trip to the Seychelles for at least two months.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ANTOINE BÉLANGER
VISIT HIS WEBSITE
©Luc Bertau
©Nicola Berloffa
Enigma
Opéra de Montréal
April 7-14
COMPOSER: Patrick Burgan
LIBRETTIST: Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt
DIRECTOR: Paul-Émile Fourny
SETS & LIGHTING: Patrick Méeüs
COSTUMES: Dominique Louis
CONDUCTOR: Daniel Kawka
ABEL ZNORKO: Antoine Bélanger
ERIK LARSEN: Jean-Michel Richer
ORCHESTRE DE CHAMBRE I MUSICI DE MONTRÉAL
CHOEUR DE L’OPÉRA DE MONTRÉAL
Do you really know the person you love? In this opera inspired by Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt’s play, Variations énigmatiques, and with music composed by Patrick Burgan, this psychological intrigue takes us to the heart of a bizarre love triangle where tensions are palpable. Two Quebec tenors, Antoine Bélanger and Jean-Michel Richer, are accompanied by the I Musici Montreal orchestra, in an intimate staging. This is the Opéra de Montréal’s first co-production with a European company.
TWO HEARTS ARE BETTER THAN ONE
On one side, we have an isolated, reclusive writer. On the other, a mysterious, inquisitive journalist. And in between the two, a woman. United by the love and the grief they have in common, the two men find each other.
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