Opéra de Québec recently announced that Jean-François Lapointe has entered into his role as Artistic Director, beginning with the 2020-21 season. His tenure will overlap with current director Grégoire Legendre who plans to retire in December 2020.
Legendre is retiring after a brilliant career, including 25 years at the helm of OdeQ. He was also appointed to the Order of Canada in 2015 and received the Ruby Award from Opera Canada magazine in 2016.
(L-r): Jean-François Lapointe, new Artistic Director of Opéra de Québec, with Opera Canada writer Irène Brisson in Jardin Jeanne d’Arc, Québec City
Stepping in, Lapointe is a renowned Canadian baritone originally from Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Québec. He holds several prestigious prizes, including three from the Paris International Singing Competition, and has established himself on international stages since his 1983 debut. He has sung at most of the world’s top opera houses, a list which includes, but is not limited to: Paris, Strasbourg, Bordeaux, Vienna, Zurich, Barcelona, and Madrid; as well as stages in America (notably a belated Met debut in 2019) and Japan.
In light of pandemic cancellations affecting the previous season and an uncertain future for staged productions, the company plans to explore avenues for digital content and will be soon announcing plans for modified performances this fall season.
