Opéra de Montréal joins forces with Opéra de Québec to present a co-production of Starmania opéra

by Luc Plamondon and Michel Berger

during its 29th season - 2008-2009

MONTREAL, Feb. 14 /CNW Telbec/ - The Opéra de Montréal is pleased to highlight the 400th anniversary of the city of Quebec in co-producing Starmania opéra with the Opéra de Québec, the company that initiated the project. The operatic version (with opera singers and staging) of Luc Plamondon and Michel Berger's legendary rock opera Starmania will have its world premiere at the Opéra de Québec in May 2008, and will then be presented in Montreal in March 2009, as part of the Opéra de Montréal's 29th season.

Arranger, orchestrator, and conductor Simon Leclerc - who has also orchestrated the work - handles the musical direction of Starmania opéra, while stage direction is in the hands of multidisciplinary artists Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon, known for their work as stage directors, scenographers, and multimedia designers. Anne-Séguin Poirier designed the costumes and co-designed the sets, lighting design is by Alain Lortie, and choreography is by Stéphane Boko.Appearing on stage will be some of Quebec's brightest opera stars: soprano Marie-Josée Lord will be Marie-Jeanne, tenor Marc Hervieux portrays Zéro Janvier, baritone Etienne Dupuis sings Johnny Rockfort, soprano Lyne Fortin appears as Stella Spotlight, tenor Pascal Charbonneau will be Ziggy, soprano Raphaelle Paquette sings Cristal, and mezzo-soprano Krista de Silva portrays Sadia.

In Montréal, six (6) performances will take place on March 14, 18, 21, 23, 26, 2009 at 8 p.m., and on March 28, 2009 at 2 p.m. in Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts, with the Opéra de Montréal Chorus and the Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal.

In Québec, seven (7) performances are scheduled: May 16 and 17, 2008 at 7 p.m.; May 19, 20, 22, 24 and 26, 2008, at 8 p.m., with the Choeur de l'Opéra de Québec and the Orchestre symphonique de Québec.

www.operadequebec.qc.ca/english/starmania_dist.htM

www.operademontreal.com