Orchestre de l'Agora

The Orchestre de l’Agora (OA), under the direction of Nicolas Ellis, is a multifaceted musical collective that is reinventing the role that classical musicians play in their community by focusing on their talent and commitment. Our musicians, who are young professionals from the Montreal area, are among the finest of their generation. Through their music, they actively take part in our bold concerts and outreach efforts. Together, we are out to change the world, one note at a time. Since it was founded in 2013, the Orchestre has had a twofold purpose: to showcase art and classical music, and to contribute to society. Much like its founder, Nicolas Ellis, the Orchestre is focused on the core values of initiative, collaboration, commitment, impact, and boldness.

Atelier lyrique de l'Opéra de Montréal

A leading artists’ residency for Canadian opera singers and pianists Opera coaches, the Atelier lyrique offers a training program—operating within the Opéra de Montréal—that serves as a springboard to professional life. In offering innovative, bilingual, and personalized training that covers the full spectrum of an opera artist’s development, the Atelier ensures that its members can reach their full potential, while fostering their autonomy, leadership, and self-achievement. During their time at the Opéra de Montréal, the artists benefit from the expertise of seasoned specialists and get the guidance they need to prepare for roles as soloists or covers. The Atelier is characterized by its unique projects, such as an orchestral clinic and various world premieres of new works. Providing a unique look at the inner workings of the opera milieu, the Atelier lyrique offers a stimulating, exciting, and enriching environment in which each artist can explore the various facets of the profession. Since it was created in 1984, the Atelier has contributed to the development of over 200 artists, many of whom today have careers around the world and are regularly invited to perform at the company.

Nicolas Ellis, chef

Nicolas Ellis is the Artistic Director and Founder of the Orchestre de l’Agora and currently serves as Artistic Partner to the Orchestre Métropolitain and Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Mr. Ellis has been invited as guest conductor with Les Violons du Roy, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, the Orchestre symphonique de Longueuil, the Orchestre symphonique de Québec, the Orchestre Métropolitain, Symphony Nova Scotia, the McGill Chamber orchestra, the Ottawa Symphony and the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and has had the opportunity to perform with artists such as cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras, countertenor Anthony Roth Constanzo and pianist Charles Richard-Hamelin. He completed his Master’s Degree at the McGill University in conducting with Alexis Hauser and was a conducting fellow at the Aspen Music Festival where he studied with Robert Spano. During the summer of 2019, he was part of the Verbier Festival Academy where he acted as assistant conductor to Music Director Valery Gergiev on a production of Die Frau ohne Schatten. Nicolas Ellis is the recipient of the 2017 Bourse de carrière Fernand-Lindsay and the Heinz Unger Award 2015 delivered by the Ontario Arts Council and was recently named Revelation of the year 2018-2019 by Radio-Canada.

Vanessa Croome, soprano

Vanessa Croome holds a master’s degree in music (voice and opera) from McGill University’s Schulich School of Music and is also an alumna of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. The winner of the 2018 Opéra de Montréal Stingray Rising Star prize, she made her professional operatic debut as a Gerdine Young Artist with the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis in the summer of 2018. Recent credits include Miles in The Turn of the Screw (Orchestre de l’Agora) and, for Opera McGill, Pamina in The Magic Flute, Miss Wordsworth in Albert Herring, and Cunegonde in Candide. In 2020-2021, she will make her debut at l’Opéra de Montréal playing the role of Léa in the world premiere of L’hiver attend beaucoup de moi and Barbarina in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro. Member of the Atelier lyrique de l'Opéra de Montréal, Vanessa Croome is generously sponsored by Joan Vogelesang & Fred Heese.

Kirsten LeBlanc, soprano

Kirsten LeBlanc is a doctoral candidate in performance at Université de Montréal, having already received a master’s degree in music from McGill University’s Schulich School of Music. She has performed roles such as Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte, Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Nella in Gianni Schicchi, Hanna Glawari in The Merry Widow and the title role in Cendrillon. Last season, Kirsten was studying Tatiana's role in Eugene Onegin, she was supposed to do her debut at the Opéra de Montréal in the Second Lady in The Magic Flute. She was a soloist for the concert with The Montreal Vocal Art Society and the Bel Canto Cabaret concert (Agora Orchestra). Member of the Atelier lyrique de l'Opéra de Montréal, Kirsten LeBlanc is generously sponsored by John Farrell and François Leclair.

Florence Bourget, mezzo-soprano

Mezzo-soprano Florence Bourget holds a master’s degree with honours from the Université de Montréal. She debuted at l’Opéra de Montréal as Wellgunde in Das Rheingold. During her first year at the Atelier lyrique, she played Mrs. Grose in The Turn of the Screw (Orchestre de l’Agora), Lucilla in La scala di seta (Orchestre Galileo), and was a soloist in Soirée à l’opérette (Orchestre symphonique de Longueuil). In 2019-2020, her roles include Alice in Lucia di Lammermoor, Angel II in Written on Skin and Dritte Dame in The Magic Flute. She is also a participant in the creation L’hiver attend beaucoup de moi (Espace Go Theatre) and in a concert featuring opera excerpts directed by Alain Trudel (Orchestre symphonique de Laval) in December 2019. Former member of the Atelier lyrique de l'Opéra de Montréal.

Geoffrey Schellenberg, baryton

NITED STATES Baritone Geoffrey Schellenberg recently completed two years as a Resident Artist with Portland Opera. During his residency, he performed the roles of Ben, David, and Dr. Gregg in An American Quartet, Marchese in La traviata, Fiorello in Il barbiere di Siviglia, and Nardo in La finta giardiniera. He was previously engaged with Calgary Opera as an Emerging Artist, performing the roles of Sergeant in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Captain in Eugene Onegin, and Sciarrone in Tosca. He also recently appeared as Schaunard in La bohème (Vancouver Opera), Amantio di Nicolao in Gianni Schicchi (Pacific Opera Victoria), and Harlekin in Ariadne auf Naxos (Highlands Opera Studio). Geoffrey is a frequent performer in Vancouver, Canada, notably appearing in the inaugural Vancouver Opera Festival as the baritone soloist for their New Works Project. He has sung as a soloist in several oratorio concerts, including the Vancouver Bach Choir’s performances of A Sea Symphony (Vaughan Williams) and Requiem (Fauré). He has earned prizes from the Canadian Opera Company Centre Stage Competition, Metropolitan Opera National Council District Auditions, and Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques competition. Member of the Atelier lyrique de l'Opéra de Montréal, Geoffrey Schellenberg is generously sponsored by Emmelle and Alvin Segal.

Jean-Philippe Mc Clish, baryton-basse

Jean-Philippe holds a Master’s degree from McGill University’s Schulich School of Music. With the Opéra de Montréal in 2019-2020, he performed the roles of the Captain in Eugene Onegin and the Second Prisoner in Fidelio; he was also scheduled to sing the role of the Armoured Man and cover the role of Papageno in The Magic Flute. Last year, he was a soloist in concerts with the Orchestre symphonique de Laval, La Sinfonia de Lanaudière, and the Société d’art vocal de Montréal. In 2019, he attended the Schubert Institute, where he specialized in German lieder, working with renowned instructors. Jean-Philippe is the recipient of grants from the Jacqueline Desmarais Foundation (2019) and the Art Song Foundation. In 2020, he was to sing at the prestigious Verbier Festival, an appearance that has now been rescheduled in the summer of 2021. This fall, he was to be heard at the Opéra de Montréal in the roles of Dr. Grenvil in La traviata and the Mayor in Jenufa—both works have been rescheduled in the 2021-2022 season. In 2021, Jean-Philippe will also sing the role of Antonio in The Marriage of Figaro. Member of the Atelier lyrique de l'Opéra de Montréal, Jean-Philippe Mc Clish is generously sponsored by Dr. François Loubert.