Opera With Pearls
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Festival Season Opera Style!

12/7/2016

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If you're like me, mid-July is around the corner and you're seriously opera-dehydrated. Summer in Montreal is filled with different music festivals, cultural activities, and picnics by the Canal Lachine but let's be honest, there's not much opera happening around here. Hence, I took a 1.5 hour transit ride outside of the island to the Festival d'Opera de Saint-Eustache.
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sosueme.ie

This Mtl girl made it to Saint-Eutache for the opera festival like... #publictransit #opera @operasteustache pic.twitter.com/vmaE0KqCXz

— Opera With Pearls (@operawithpearls) July 9, 2016
You're probably thinking, "A 1.5 hour bus and metro trip? No thanks!" To be honest, I was pretty much thinking the same thing. There were 3 other activities in Montreal that same Friday night (such as Opera Montreal Cafe at Les Jardineries) that were much easier to get to. But I stuck to my initial plan and went ahead, venturing outside the city limits... and I'm actually really happy I did! I eventually found myself in a gorgeous little town where life seems to move just a little slower than in the city. Overall, refreshing!
I set out to find the La Petite Eglise art centre, which wasn't too hard considering it's on Saint-Eustache Street. Once inside, I choose a seat next to an older lady, who quickly introduces herself as Monique, before presenting me to her friend Mariette (whose twin sister is Marielle... #propsmom). I instantly become Monique's "copine" (aka girl friend) and we talk and talk before the performance of Opera a la Libanaise begins.

The lady beside me is Monique. She called me her "copine" and we just met. Never been this much VIP in my life. #opera #suburbanlife

— Opera With Pearls (@operawithpearls) July 9, 2016
Presented by the Consul General of Lebanon, this concert consisted of the most popular opera arias and ensembles of the repertoire, performed by singers of Lebanese descent. Gives it that extra authenticity feel, know what I mean? Now, I'm looking at the program filled with Figaro, Carmen, and Madama Butterfly, and although each interpretation is different, the thought of hearing the same typical opera pieces again didn't excite me. Until I glanced at my new copine Monique; she was all smiles, nodding along, glancing towards me and wording the parts she knew. Her energy was contagious and I suddenly appreciated the evening for what it really was. An opportunity for those unable or unwilling to travel to the urban areas to enjoy an evening of live classical singing. At intermission, I asked Monique if she ever goes to the city to see the opera and she replied that she hadn't gone to Place des Arts since 1972. So truly, the Festival d'Opera de Saint-Eustache is the only opportunity for some to enjoy live opera performances, and in this specific case, what I consider typical overheard pieces are fresh new or seldom heard works for many attending the event!

Monique: I love opera. My husband liked Western. He's dead now. #opera #micdrop

— Opera With Pearls (@operawithpearls) July 9, 2016
Furthermore, the Festival d'Opera de Saint-Eustache, under the direction of its founder Leila Chalfoun,  was able to nail two great singers, whom you'll typically only see on notorious stages in North America and around the world. Julie Nesrallah, mezzo soprano and also host of Tempo on CBC Radio2, and Fady Jeanbart, the baritone who flew directly from Lebanon for that performance, were gems to listen to and watch. Additionally, the intimacy of the concert and the reception afterwards gave the attendees the opportunity to meet and chat with them (if you're classical music student, you might want to start attending this kind of performance, ASAP). 

Une photo publiée par Fady Jeanbart (@fadyjeanbart) le 24 Juin 2016 à 18h41 PDT

Rockin' a blow out hairdo for Opera a la Libanaise TONIGHT for @operasteustache TONIGHT!!! Lipstick still required. â–¡

Une photo publiée par Julie Nesrallah (@julienesrallah) le 8 Juil. 2016 à 15h45 PDT

Une photo publiée par Fady Jeanbart (@fadyjeanbart) le 8 Juil. 2016 à 18h25 PDT

To sum up, unlike I previously assumed, the Festival d'Opera de Saint-Eustache is not centered around attracting Montrealers to the suburb for a weekend, but rather the opposite; offering a variety of operatic concerts to Laval and the North Shore inhabitants. Not to say that Montrealers are not welcome! However, I have a feeling that in order to compete with the other numerous activities more easily accessible, the festival administration will have to find a way to counter the travelling cost by upping their offering in some original and appealling way. For instance, presenting a different fully staged operatic production every year, perhaps in partnership with a Montreal-based independent opera company, would be an interesting and effective way to attract more people, much like the Brott Music Festival, which will present Le Nozze di Figaro, an all-time crowd pleaser on July 14th in Hamilton. Since these productions are rare during the summer, they are sure to attract of considerable amount of opera fans!
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    About ChatdOpera

    I am passionate about opera and writing this blog is my way of sharing this love with you all. These are my thoughts, highly influenced by too many high note vibrations and good wine.

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