Another Brick in The Wall – The Opera

Opéra Another brick in the Wall (CNW Group/Société des célébrations du 375e anniversaire de Montréal)

As part of the world premiere presentation of Another Brick In The Wall – The Opera—based on Roger Waters‘ legendary work The Wall—the Opéra de Montréal is announcing two added performances: Monday, March 13 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, March 26 at 2 pm. The project brings together Quebec baritone Etienne Dupuis, who will portray fallen rock star Pink, and three exceptional artists: Julien Bilodeau, composer of the new opera vision of the work; Dominic Champagne, stage director of this monument of 80s music; and Alain Trudel, who will conduct the Orchestre Métropolitain.

Two added performances
Since the announcement of this world premiere presentation in March 2016, the Opéra de Montréal has sold a record number of tickets: over 12,000 tickets sold with 17 weeks to go until opening night.

Close to 24% of ticket buyers for Another Brick in the Wall – The Opera are from over 100 km outside of Montreal. By comparison, a regular opera only draws between 4% and 5% of clients from beyond the Greater Montreal Region. Of these ticket buyers for Another Brick in the Wall, 59% are new to the Opéra de Montréal.

Added performance dates: Monday, March 13 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, March 26 at 2 pm
Added dates go on sale: Monday, November 28
Special offer: 15% off a limited number of tickets sold on November 28 only, from 12:01 am to 11:59 pm, for Cyber Monday

Purchase options
Online: anotherbrickmtl.com
Telephone: 514-985-2258 (9:00 am – 5:00 pm)
In person: 260 de Maisonneuve West, Montreal (9:00 am – 5:00 pm)

Another Brick In The Wall – The Opera
This timeless work, presented in an operatic adaptation, seemed ideal for an approach worthy of the theme. Eight soloists, 48 chorus singers, 70 musicians, and a team of exceptional design professionals will infuse the work with a new dimension. The alienation and isolation of the central character of Pink—as well as his entire generation’s struggle with disillusionment—will find a vehicle for expression in the total art form that is opera.

Synopsis
Following his father’s death during World War II, and continuous abuse from his mother and teachers, Pink isolates himself from the rest of the world. The break-up of his marriage represents the last brick in the metaphorical wall he has been building for himself. If his survival depends on it, will Pink be capable of demolishing his inner wall?

The Artists
Pink – Etienne Dupuis, baritone (Canada)
Since his debut in the role of Zurga (The Pearl Fishers), at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Etienne Dupuis has become internationally renowned. With the Opéra de Montréal, he has sung the roles of Valentin (Faust), Joseph De Rocher (Dead Man Walking), and Figaro (The Barber of Seville), among others. Highlights include Germont (La traviata) in Berlin, Marcello (La bohème) at the Vancouver Opera, Figaro at the Opéra d’Avignon, Lescaut (Manon) at the Opéra de Marseille, the Count (The Marriage of Figaro) at the Calgary Opera, Zurga at Zurich Opera House, and André Thorel (Thérèse) at the Festival de Radio France. Last OdM appearance: The Barber of Seville (2014).

Stage Director – Dominic Champagne (Canada)
Writer, stage director, scriptwriter, actor, and Co-founder and Artistic Director of Théâtre Il Va Sans Dire, Dominic Champagne has created over a hundred shows, both staged (L’Odyssée, Don Quichotte, Cabaret Neiges Noires, La Cité Interdite, etc.) and televised (the series Les grands procès and Le Plaisir croît avec l’usage). He also directed the Cirque du Soleil shows LOVE, Varekai, and Zumanity. He has earned many awards and distinctions for his work, and has taught and lectured at the National Theatre School, Conservatoire d’art dramatique de Montréal, Concordia University, Princeton University, etc. This is his OdM debut.

Conductor – Alain Trudel (Canada)
Recognized by La Presse for his “great talent as a conductor, musician and performer,” Alain Trudel is Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the Orchestre symphonique de Laval and Principal Youth and Family Conductor for the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra. He has conducted all the big orchestras in Canada, in addition to ensembles in the United Kingdom, the United States, in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. First known to the public as a trombonist, he has been a guest soloist with orchestras around the world. He is also a respected composer, with performances in America and Asia. Last OdM appearance: Le Gala (2014).

Composer – Julien Bilodeau (Canada)
Julien Bilodeau (julienbilodeau.com) was born in Quebec City in 1974. He graduated from the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, then spent five years in France and Germany before returning to Montreal to pursue his career as a composer. Known for his rich, varied, and open aesthetics, his preference for the symphonic repertoire has enabled him to work with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (K. Nagano), Orchestre Métropolitain (Y. Nézet-Séguin), Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas and Orchestre de la Francophonie (J-P. Tremblay), Nouvel Ensemble Moderne (L. Vaillancourt), Ensemble Itinéraire (Paris), I Musici (J-M. Zeitouni), and the Ensemble Modern (Frankfurt). He is currently credited with over 30 works.

ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL – THE OPERA
Based on the lyrics and music of The Wall, by Roger Waters
Opera version composed by Julien Bilodeau
Stage direction by Dominic Champagne
Assistant Stage Director: Neilson Vignola

CAST
Pink: Etienne Dupuis
The Mother: France Bellemare
The Father: Jean-Michel Richer
The Wife: Caroline Bleau
Vera Lynn: Stéphanie Pothier
The Teacher: Dominic Lorange
The Crown Prosecutor: Geoffroy Salvas
The Judge/The Doctor: Marcel Beaulieu

Conductor: Alain Trudel
Sets: Stéphane Roy
Costumes: Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt
Lighting: Étienne Boucher
Video Design: Johnny Ranger
Sound Design: Louis Dufort
Theatrical Advisor: Normand Baillargeon
Orchestre Métropolitain / OdM Chorus
New production

DATES: March 11.13(added).14.16.18.20.22.24.26(added), 2017
Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier
Tickets and info at www.operademontreal.com

Opéra de Montréal
Founded in 1980 and based in Montreal, the Opéra de Montréal is the largest francophone opera company in North America. Last year, close to 50,000 spectators made their way through the doors at the Opéra de Montréal, which is under the direction of General Director Patrick Corrigan and Artistic Director Michel Beaulac. Its season is made up of four operas, a production by the Atelier lyrique, and several outreach activities. The Opéra is a key player in the city’s economic, cultural, and social development as, each season, it maintains working relationships with over 360 local businesses, and hires no less than 800 artists and craftspeople. Close to 80% of the artists appearing at the company are Canadian.

About the Society for the Celebration of Montreal’s 375^th Anniversary
The Society for the Celebration of Montréal’s 375^th Anniversary is a non-profit organization whose mission is to organize the festivities and socioeconomic initiatives that will mark Montreal’s 375^th birthday in 2017. With a focus on promoting Montrealexpertise, it acts as a catalyst for unifying forces to fulfill its mandate of mobilizing the community, implementing a funding strategy, wisely managing financial resources, developing a high-quality program of events, and promoting the festivities.

The Society receives financial support from the City of Montreal and the Government of Quebec, as well as private funding from 11 Great Montrealers. Additional information at 375mtl.com. All of our press releases, along with complementary photos and videos, are available in our virtual Press Room by clicking here.

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