Orchestre classique de Montréal presents

Mozart’s Requiem

Mozart’s Requiem was the final work of the great composer, and is one of the most popular masterworks of the classical repertoire.

The OCM will also present a work by Joseph Boulogne, the Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Saint-Georges’ glistening and buoyant Symphonie concertante no. 2 will take you into the perfumed salons of old France with all its understated elegance.

Lacrimae Beati (Tears of the Blessed One) was inspired by the “Lacrimosa” of Mozart’s Requiem, thought to hold the last eight notes Mozart wrote in his life, and which ran incessantly through composer Richard Danielpour’s mind through a harrowing flight.

Under the direction of maestro Jacques Lacombe, this emotionally charged concert will feature the singers Emma Fekete (soprano), Ian Sabourin (countertenor), Matthew Dalen (tenor), Matthew Li (bass), and current and former members of the Atelier Lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal.

Artists
Emma Fekete, soprano

Canadian soprano Emma Fekete is praised for her “distinctive voice, well-mastered vocal technique, presence imbued with simplicity and truth and radiant personality” — Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal. Emma has performed in Canada and abroad with OPERA2DAY, Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn, Nederlands Philharmonisch Orkest, Orchestre de l’Agora and Ensemble Volte, and has sung at venues such as the Amsterdam Concertgebouw and Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ.

Ian Sabourin, countertenor

Ian is a Canadian countertenor raised in Ottawa and based in Montreal, renowned for his unique sound, powerful high notes, and diverse repertoire. He has been awarded the Fellowship Stingray Audience Award and recently joined the Opéra de Montréal’s Atelier Lyrique as their first countertenor. Ian is also a professional soloist in Montreal with various professional ensembles such as Orchestre Classique de Montréal, Ensemble Caprice, Harmonies des Saisons, and Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal.

Matthew Dalen, tenor

Canadian tenor Matthew Dalen is a rising star in the opera world. Praised by Opera Canada for his warm tone and good connection to text, Matthew has graced stages across Canada, the United States, and Europe. From his debut at Edmonton Opera as Borsa to leading roles with esteemed orchestras and opera companies, including Roméo in Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette and Rodolfo in Puccini’s La Bohème (Opéra du Royaume 2021, 2023), Matthew’s talent shines brightly. As a graduate of Vancouver Opera’s Young Artist Program and Opéra de Montréal’s Atelier Lyrique, Matthew’s dedication to his craft and his commitment to sharing the joy of opera make him an exciting and influential force in the opera scene.

Matthew Li, bass

Hailing from Ottawa, Chinese-Canadian bass Matthew Li is an artist in-residence of the Atelier lyrique de Opéra de Montréal. His operatic roles include Antonio in The Marriage of Figaro (Opéra de Montréal), the Imperial Commissioner in Madama Butterfly (Opéra de Montréal), Dulcamara in L’elisir d’amore (Atelier lyrique), Seneca in L’incoronazione di Poppea (Atelier lyrique), Sarastro in Die Zauberflöte, Masetto and Il Commendatore in Don Giovanni, and Colline in La Bohème. In 2022-23, Li sang the lead bass role of Xon Pon in Alice Ping Yee Ho and Madeleine Thien’s new opera Chinatown with City Opera Vancouver in its world premiere, to critical acclaim. Concert highlights include the bass solos in Handel’s Messiah, Dvořák’s Stabat Mater, Schütz’s Weihnachtshistorie, Mozart’s Requiem, and Steffani’s Stabat Mater.

Jacques Lacombe, conductor

Music Director of the Vancouver Opera and Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Orchestre Classique de Montreal, Jacques Lacombe has previously been Music and Artistic Director of the Orchestre symphonique de Mulhouse in France from 2017 to 2021, Principal Conductor of the Bonn Opera in Germany from 2016 to 2018 and Music Director of the Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières from 2006 till 2018. From 2010 to 2016 he was Music Director of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and from 2002 to 2006, principal guest conductor of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal after being music director of the Philharmonie de Lorraine in Metz, France. Jacques Lacombe is renowned as a “gifted and ambitious” conductor (The New York Times) whose artistic integrity and rapport with musicians and orchestras have propelled him to international stature.

Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal, boys’ choir
Andrew Gray, choirmaster

Following his arrival in Montreal in 2010, Andrew Gray rapidly established himself in the region’s music scene as a choral director, choir trainer and arranger. He is presently musical and artistic director of Les Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal, artistic director of the Montreal Choral Institute, conductor of its in-house chamber choir Voces Boreales, and the founder and director of the  SingMontréalChante choral education project.

Since his arrival at Les Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal he has been involved in collaborations with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Montreal Bach Festival, Les Grands Ballets Canadien, Opera Montreal, the Schulich School of Music at McGill University, Montreal #375, PODIUM 2018, and the Metropolitan Orchestra, to mention but a few.

Program
Symphonie concertante No. 2 in G, op. 13 by J. Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges
I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Allegro Assai
Lacrimae Beati by Richard Danielpour
Requiem in D minor, K. 626 by W. A. Mozart

Maison symphonique
Sunday, May 5, 2024 at 3:00pm

To purchase your tickets visit: www.placedesarts.com