ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL - THE OPERA to Make World Premiere in Montreal Next March

In celebration of Montréal's 375th anniversary, Opéra de Montréal is pleased to present the world premiere of ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL - THE OPERA, based on Roger Waters' legendary work, The Wall.

The project brings together Québecois baritone, Étienne Dupuis, who will play Pink, the fallen rock star; and three exceptional artists: Julien Bilodeau, composer of the new opera vision of the work; Dominic Champagne, director of this monumental 80s music endeavour; and Alain Trudel, conductor of the Orchestre Métropolitain.

This important Opéra de Montréal project is part of the official program of festivities for Montréal's 375th anniversary. "It's a great honour to welcome Roger Waters in Montréal. This project creates a stylistic shock, representing daring and unprecedented collaborations. Montréal is without a doubt a lively and inspiring city. In fact, it was in our beautiful city, 40 years ago, that Mr. Waters' The Wall project first started to germinate," explains Gilbert Rozon, Commissioner of Montréal's 375th anniversary celebrations.

"Reflecting our vibrant metropolis, Montréal's 375th anniversary festivities will offer our artists, artisans and creators an opportunity to showcase their talent. A deeply rooted ambassador in the city's cultural network, Opéra de Montréal has concocted an extraordinary event, which will not only stimulate tourism and the economy, but will also certainly be among the most anticipated artistic performances in the 2017 cultural calendar. The government of Québec is pleased to support this initiative, which will rekindle pride and a sense of belonging for all inhabitants of the beautiful and vast Montréal region," affirms Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, Minister of Public Security and Minister responsible for the Montréal region, Mr. Martin Coiteux.

"It's through projects of this magnitude that our cultural metropolis distinguishes itself in remarkable ways. The Montréal community is delighted at the idea of welcoming Mr. Roger Waters, and sharing this important anniversary with him," adds Mr. Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montréal.

Pierre Dufour, Opéra de Montréal's Executive Director, and Michel Beaulac, its Artistic Director, add that "[t]his unique project breaks down barriers between opera and rock, while conveying the universality of singing and music."

This timeless work, offered in an operatic adaptation, seemed ideal for an approach worthy of the theme. Ten soloists, 48 chorus singers, 70 musicians and a team of exceptional design professionals will infuse the work with a new dimension. Pink's alienation and isolation, as the main character, in addition to the difficulties facing his entire generation regarding disillusionment, find a vehicle for expression in the total art form that is the opera.

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 disintegration 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 - Étienne Dupuis, Baritone (Canada)

Since his debut in the role of Zurga (The Pearl Fishers), at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Étienne 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 (Les grands procès and Le Plaisir croît avec l'usage series). He also directed Cirque du Soleil shows LOVE, Varekai and Zumanity. He has earned many awards and distinctions for his work, and 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 and United States, and in Europe, Asia and Latin America. First known to the public as a trombonist, he has been invited as a soloist by orchestras throughout the world. He is also a respected composer, with performances in America and Asia. Last OdM appearance: the Gala (2014)

Composer - Julien Bilodeau (Canada)

Julien Bilodeau (julienbilodeau.com) was born in Québec City in 1974. He graduated from the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, then spent five years in France and Germany, before returning to Montréal to pursue his career as a composer. Known for his rich, varied and open aesthetics, his preference for symphonic repertoires 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 for 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

CAST:

Pink: Étienne Dupuis

Conductor: Alain Trudel

Set Designer: Stéphane Roy

Assistant Stage Director: Neilson Vignola

Videographer: Johnny Ranger

Costume Designer: Marie-Chantal Vaillancourt

Lighting Designer: Étienne Boucher

Orchestre Métropolitain / OdM Chorus

New production

DATES: March 11.14.16.18.20.22.24, 2017

Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier

Pre-sale for the general public: March 3 to 20, 2016

Tickets and information available at www.operademontreal.com.

Founded in 1980 and based in Montréal, Opéra de Montréal is the largest Francophone opera house in North America. Last year, under the leadership of its Executive Director, Pierre Dufour, and Artistic Director, Michel Beaulac, nearly 50 000 people attended Opéra de Montréal performances. The season consists of four operas, an Atelier lyrique production and cultural democratization activities. The Opéra is a major player in cultural, social and economic development, given that each season it maintains relationships with over 360 local businesses, and employs a minimum of 800 artists and artisans. Almost 80% of performing artists are Canadian.

The Society for the Celebrations of Montréal's 375th Anniversary is a non-profit organization with a mission to plan festivities for 2017. With an accent on local Montréal expertise, it acts as a catalyst for unifying forces in achieving its mandate: to mobilize the community, implement a financing strategy, meticulously administer the funding collected, develop high-quality programming, and ensure the promotion of festivities. Driven by its desire to create bridges, it relies on the support of its board of directors, council of governors and many committees. The Society benefits from the support of Ville de Montréal, the government of Québec and 10 Great Montrealers. For further information: 375mtl.com.

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