Canadian soprano Kirsten MacKinnon is in her hometown of Montreal making her company debut with Opéra de Montréal kicking off their 2023/24 season with Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, which opened September 23 (and runs until Oct 1, tickets here). She stars alongside Croatian baritone Leon Košavić (Figaro), and a strong Canadian cast that includes baritone Hugo Laporte (this week’s Artist of the Week!), Andrea Núnez (Susanna), mezzo-soprano Katie Fernandez (Cherubino), bass-baritone Scott Brooks (Bartolo) and soprano Emma Fekete (Barbarina).
Next up for MacKinnon is Pamina in Vancouver Opera‘s production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute that runs from Oct 21 to 29 (tickets here). She takes us to beautiful, colourful Montreal this week to explore mural-filled city streets, cafes with snuggly kittens seeking adoption, and so much more.
City where you’re working?
Montreal, Canada
How long are you working on contract?
This is a quick one, we’ve got about a month total to get this Figaro up and dancing and although I’m based in Montreal now, this is my debut with Opéra de Montréal. Je suis tellement excitée de chanter chez moi et la comtesse est un de mes rôles favoris alors c’est un plaisir.
What’s the opera house like?
The opera house is great. It’s massive – some 3000 seats. This being my debut, I suppose you’ll have to check back with me later about the acoustics.
Ⓒ Opéra de Montréal
Where is the most peaceful place in the city above?
Aside from being cozied up at home with my two kitties, I’d say my most peaceful place in the city is along the Saint Lawrence. I live in Verdun and there’s a gorgeous trail that runs along the water straight down to the rapids in La Salle. It’s a great place to wander if I have thinking to do, or if I need a boost of nature.
Best coffee or tea?
My best coffee is at this cat cafe on Verdun Ave. It’s called “Café Chato” and it’s home to a bunch of kittens and cats looking for adoption. They can come to you for playtime or snuggles or disappear for solo time in their chill zone. It’s a great place to get some scorework done with earbuds in and a little purring creature in your lap. Plus the vibes are impeccable- cat people are the best!
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Coolest bar or restaurant you’ve been to?
“Chez Jacquie et France” is probably my favourite restaurant. It’s our brunch spot of choice. It’s got food and decor from les Îles de la Madeleine/ l’Acadie and it’s pretty fast even when they’re slammed. Classic millenial. Must brunch. Gotta brunch.
An activity you have done that is unique to the area?
I really love to disc golf here. There’s a course at parc Ignace Bourget that’s pretty good and it’s bikeable from our apartment. My partner and I started disc golfing back when we lived on Vancouver Island and we’ve continued here in Montreal. I keep a few discs in my backpack so if I wanna get a round in before rehearsals, wake my body up a bit before singing, it’s easy.
Is there something unexpected that happens locally that you discovered?
I haven’t been to any galleries here yet, but I went to mural fest during the summer and that was a blast! Vendors for food, drinks, and clothing spill out into rue Saint-Laurent. In the alleys and streets all around Plateau, there are fresh murals being sprayed/painted so it’s really fun to see how wild and beautiful some of them are and watching the artists in action, seeing the murals actually getting done, is pretty cool.
Is there anything you recommend beyond what we’ve asked here?
What else can I tell you about Montreal? Oh yeah! The opera here is pretty awesome. You might have to hurry though if you want to see the Figaro. I heard it’s selling fast…
LEARN MORE ABOUT KIRSTEN MACKINNON
VISIT HER WEBSITE
Ⓒ Jiacheng Xiong
Kirsten MacKinnon (Countess Almaviva) in Garsington Opera’s production of Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro Ⓒ Garsington Opera
Kirsten MacKinnon cozied up at home with one of her two kittens Ⓒ Kirsten MacKinnon
Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro
Opéra de Montréal
September 23-Oct 1, 2023
DIRECTOR Stephen Lawless
CONDUCTOR Nicolas Ellis
ORCHESTRE MÉTROPOLITAIN
CHOEUR DE L’OPÉRA DE MONTRÉAL
COUNT ALMAVIVA Hugo Laporte
FIGARO Leon Košavić
COUNTESS ALMAVIVA Kirsten MacKinnon
SUSANNA Andrea Núñez
CHERUBINO Katie Fernandez
BARTOLO Scott Brooks
BARBARINA Emma Fekete
Can true love shake up the social order and help fight social inequalities? The Marriage of Figaro, a landmark work by the great Mozart, is a comic opera that is intended as a critique of the French bourgeoisie of the time – a class seriously weakened and on the verge of collapsing. This is the very first time that rising star Nicolas Ellis will be conducting at the Opéra de Montréal.
We find ourselves in Seville, in the South of Spain. Figaro and Susanna, valet and chambermaid of the Count and Countess Almaviva, are in love and are about to join their destinies together. But their marriage preparations are threatened by a number of traps and obstacles set up by a devious Count Almaviva, who is infatuated with the bride-to-be. Will the union of Figaro and Susanna prevail?
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