Last week, the Young Associates of Opera de Montreal held a young professional night at the Opera and we were cordially invited to get to know this great initiative.
Unlike in Europe where the opera is praised and attended by every age bracket, North America has grown a bit slower in this sector. Perhaps it’s the idea that the Opera is only for the older elite, this mysterious art form that only the wealthiest can afford. This is where the Young Associates Committee comes in. Their goal is to help the Opera meet its goals of broadening and renewing its audience, especially motivating the community of young professionals in Montreal. What this does is provide unique opportunities for discussion and learning about the Opera and its artists. It also offers privileged and affordable access to the Opera, attainable to all YPs.
The Committee is made up of individuals from various spheres, such as finance, law, medicine, entrepreneurship and, soon enough, yours truly as well. This circle of Opera-loving distinguished YPs has been chosen to represent this wonderful art form through focusing on financing and communications, main events and special events.
The event specifically was an Opera cocktail. What this includes is a pre-opera cocktail reception including a short speech on the current production, which in our case was Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman,” a story of love and death driven by a raging orchestra and powerful voices echoing across the tall ceilings of the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier. Following this presentation, all members took their seats to start the show and soak up the elaborately staged production.
At intermission, we all headed back to the VIP lounge for more wine and social exchanges about the performance. This was a great way to breathe a little after the intensity and prepare for the next act, which is usually the most dramatic (in a good way of course). A post-show meet and greet with the Opera administrators and some of the artists was the ideal way to end the evening. You can interact, ask questions and really dive into how everything comes together, an ideal Opera introductory class.
Since The Flying Dutchman already ended, your next chance to attend will be at their Gala on December 2nd, the annual big celebration of opera and voice with the crowd’s favourite singers performing popular arias and ensembles. Mark your calendars, it’s coming up soon!
A big kudos to the YPs revolutionizing and bringing more attention on the Opera De Montreal. Here’s to a bright future!
For any information on performance evenings or participation opportunities, contact founding member Jean-François Séguin at jseguin@fasken.com or Joanie Lapalme at jlapalme@fasken.com.