Opera

Few disciplines can so elegantly combine theatre, lyrical singing, dance and orchestral music into a coherent, majestic whole. This encapsulates the “unique selling proposition” and the vast richness of opera as we know it today: an art form that transforms those ingredients into an experience greater than the sum of its parts, and larger than life.  

Opera is a bridge between past and present, preserving an artistic heritage while remaining relevant to our contemporary world. The classic works of the genre—revisited and interpreted by new generations of artists—continue to captivate and inspire. Contemporary operas, meanwhile, explore novel, topical themes, reflecting preoccupations and perceptions of our modern age. 

Founded in 1980, Opéra de Montréal has given more than 1,000 performances in Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts’ flagship concert hall. It draws from a repertoire ranging from classical to modern, but is most notable for bold programming that draws huge audiences and has helped introduce new generations of spectators to this art form.

Opera tells stories differently, not confining itself to traditional narratives and established codes. Some productions draw inspiration from the world of musical comedy, taking a more contemporary, accessible approach. One example is Porgy and Bess, which Opéra de Montréal mounted in 2014, thrilling audiences with its infectious energy and universal message. Opera can also be a vessel for reinterpretations of music by classic rock acts, as seen in 2017’s Another Brick in the Wall, a lyric opera inspired by the epic Pink Floyd album and film.

Along with those modern forms, Place des Arts has been fortunate to welcome some of history’s greatest opera stars, to the delight of aficionados. Luciano Pavarotti, one of the most acclaimed tenors of his time, sang here twice, in 1975 and 1976, to audiences that included Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Rainier of Monaco. Beyond those exceptional occasions, Place des Arts has established itself as a bona fide temple of opera, regularly hosting internationally renowned performers.

In addition to classics such as La Bohème, La Traviata and The Barber of Seville, opera performances at Place des Arts have included more modern productions like the adaptation of Starmania, the celebrated musical by Québec composer Luc Plamondon.

The wealth of operas presented at Place des Arts is in part attributable to the wide range of voices that have been heard here. From sopranos and contraltos to tenors and baritones, many emblematic faces and especially voices have echoed inside Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, contributing to an invaluable and world-renowned musical heritage.