Opera Between Two Voices

Step into the captivating world of opera! Soprano Anna-Sophie Neher and mezzo-soprano Julie Boulianne invite you on a journey through some of the most beautiful opera arias and duets. From Handel and Mozart to Rossini and Puccini, including Bizet and Gounod, discover passionate melodies, dazzling virtuosity, and tender moments that have shaped the history of the lyric repertoire.

Whether you are a seasoned music lover or simply curious to discover this timeless art form, this concert will captivate you with its warm and lively atmosphere. Joined by the fabulous pianist Esther Gonthier, Anna-Sophie and Julie will unite their voices in this unique concert, carrying you away with the power of emotion and the beauty of their voices.

This concert is made possible through the generosity of Marcel Saint-Onge.

Program

Artists

Anna-Sophie Neher
Winner of the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Competition, German-Canadian soprano Anna-Sophie Neher stands out on international stages for her “luminous timbre and excellent agility” and “singing that captures the ear and holds it hostage” (Ludwig van Toronto).

Anna-Sophie’s longstanding passion for acting, languages and disguises has led her to perfect her operatic skills. She recently appeared at the Opéra de Paris in Enescu’s opera Œdipe and at the Palais Garnier in Britten’s Peter Grimes. Anna-Sophie is a proud graduate of the Ensemble Studio of Toronto’s Canadian Opera Company where she has sung many roles, including Euridice (Orfeo ed Euridice), Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), Gretel (Hänsel und Gretel), Micaëla (Carmen) and Marzelline (Fidelio).

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Julie Boulianne
Quebec mezzo-soprano Julie Boulianne is renowned for her musical intelligence and great sensitivity, her rich timbre, and her agility. Her vast repertoire ranges from baroque to contemporary opera, with a predilection for French opera, Mozart, and bel canto.

She has featured in opera and concert performances on the world’s greatest stages, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Paris Opera, the Royal Opera House in London, the Wienerstaatsoper in Vienna, Carnegie Hall, the Concergebouw in Amsterdam, the Royal Albert Hall and the Berlin Philharmonie.

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Esther Gonthier
Pianist Esther Gonthier holds a prominent place in Quebec’s vocal music scene. She works regularly with the Opéra de Montréal, the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, and the Orchestre Métropolitain as a répétiteur, vocal coach, and assistant conductor. She also collaborates with voice students at McGill University and the Université de Montréal, as well as with the artists of the Opéra de Montréal’s Atelier lyrique, with whom she is delighted to share her experience with emerging singers.

Esther Gonthier has been the official pianist of the CMIM since the first voice edition in 2002. She will also serve as répétiteur for the Voix 2025 semi-finalists and finalists during individual rehearsals with guest conductor Patrick Summers.