Satosphere

La vie, la mort, le dessert

Name: La vie, la mort, le dessert
Start: 2026-02-18T00:00:00Z
End: 2026-02-28T00:00:00Z
Location: Satosphere

Tickets

Satosphere

Immersive experiences

An immersive five-course culinary experience that transports the public to a romantic, theatrical, and enchanting world.

Conceived as a journey through the cycle of nature, La vie, la mort, le dessert is a unique evening that combines gastronomy, artistic performance, and immersive scenography in the dome. Guests are invited to follow a five-part narrative, from the theatrical aperitivo to the wild dessert, including the trou normand—each course evokes the cycles of life, death, and rebirth.

Under the culinary direction of chef Clément Boivin (Cuisine Libre!), renowned for his mastery of local and forest-based cuisine, and in collaboration with pastry chef Catherine Lépine-Lafrance, the meal becomes a sensory journey where each dish tells a story and every bite becomes an experience. For the occasion, the third floor is transformed into an enchanted residence and the dome into a wild atrium.

The experience, created by Nicolas Fonseca (Mr Jaune), Michel Lam (Fig55), and Thomas Payette (mirari), weaves a dialogue between gastronomy, performing arts, and immersive projections. Multidisciplinary performances presented by the Opéra de Montréal, captivating images, and theatrical actions punctuate the evening, which concludes in a festive and free atmosphere.
Each performance brings together around a hundred guests for a banquet where thrills, discovery, and delight come together—in short, la nature plein la gueule.

An experience created by Nicolas Fonseca, Michel Lam, and Thomas Payette.
Produced by the Society for Arts and Technology [SAT] and mirari, in collaboration with Fig55, Unstandard Studio and the Opéra de Montréal.

This project is made possible thanks to the financial support of Tourism Montreal.

***The menu is primarily omnivorous, with vegan or gluten-free options available upon request. A form will be sent to you before your event to collect information about any dietary restrictions, your group placement, and other logistical details. The five-course menu includes a welcome cocktail and a “trou normand”.***

***For groups, please make a single purchase for all guests, as you would in a restaurant. This helps us ensure a smooth and coordinated service. We cannot guarantee that separate bookings will be seated together. For reservations of three guests or fewer, your table will be shared with other attendees. It is a way to extend the dining experience as a moment of connection and exchange, in the spirit of communal tables. For private event requests or groups of 8 or more, please contact us at [email protected]. Discounts may apply.***

***This experience deals with the cycles of nature, including plant and animal death. It may contain scenes that could be disturbing to people who are sensitive to these topics.***

The artists

Clément Boivin (Cuisine Libre!)

Clément Boivin is a self-taught chef with an impressive background. After working with the Au Pied de Cochon group and then for the Michelin-starred M Wells in New York, he won season 3 of Chef des bois, then in 2021 he founded Cuisine Libre!, a nomadic restaurant with a changing mood, a company specializing in the design of exceptional gastronomic events. He designs these events in both urban and outdoor settings. Inspired by his environment, he seeks to enrich Quebec's culinary heritage by promoting its little-known resources. He stands out for his creativity and personal culinary approach.

Cuisine Libre!

Catherine Lépine-Lafrance

Catherine Lépine-Lafrance was born on a small self-sufficient farm. Between rows of asparagus, on the path to the sugar shack, or while scraping honeycombs, she learned early on what would become the guiding thread of her life: doing things by hand, for the purpose of sharing. After a detour into theatre and electronic arts—pursued in the same spirit—she enrolled in pastry school at the ITHQ, with one clear goal: to open the artisanal candy shop she had always dreamed of. A place to create exploratory sweets, rooted in seasonality and the local landscape, without extravagance, artificial flavors, or over-the-top colorants. It was after an internship with Hirsinger, a Meilleur Ouvrier de France chocolatier-confectioner in the Jura region, that her vision came to life. Over the next 15 years, thousands of kilos of sugar would be transformed with the patience and precision required to bring that dream to fruition. These 15 years of hands-on experience in artisanal confectionery and pastry have built a rich tapestry of knowledge—now ready to be shared. Newly arrived at the Society for arts and technology, Catherine has created a menu where the seasons dictate the rhythm and each dish celebrates the simple pleasure of transforming what nature has to offer.

Nicolas Fonseca

Nicolas Fonseca creates participatory experiences at the intersection of design and gastronomy. His practice in sensory design is rooted in a colorful career that has taken him through cinema, digital projects, immersive in situ installations, and then catering. The immersive dinners and food installations he offers today use food to tell stories and create social connections between participants. He has presented his work in museums, galleries, conferences, and festivals in Montreal, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, San Francisco, Miami, Chicago, Lisbon, Porto, Paris, and Biarritz. Over the years, he has also created various experiences for private clients such as Audi, VISA, SSENSE, the G7, Phillip Lim 3.1, Louis Vuitton, Mondelez, Liberté, Canada Goose, C2 MTL, the City of New York, Tourisme Montréal, and Cirque du Soleil.

Mr. Jaune

Thomas Payette (mirari)

Thomas Payette is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada's production program. In 2015, he co-founded mirari, a multidisciplinary creative studio that designs and produces immersive experiences. Thomas has served as creative director for several large-scale projects and installations in public spaces, in addition to collaborating on multimedia design with creators such as Robert Lepage, Sylvain Émard, Guillaume Côté, Virginie Brunelle, and Martin Messier, as well as with renowned institutions such as the TNM and the National Ballet of Canada. He is also the creative director of the Canada Pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025. Thomas is a member of the board of directors of XN Québec and also teaches at the National Theatre School of Canada.

mirari

Michel D.T. Lam (Fig55)

Michel D.T. Lam studied film at the Université du Québec à Montréal and the Institut National de l’image et du son (INIS). His first short films, Plus ou moins trente and Sur le quai de la gare, won numerous prizes. He then directed the critically acclaimed documentary …and music, produced by the NFB. Writer, director and producer in documentary, television and new media, Lam collaborates with multiple production companies and broadcasters around the world. Among his notable projects, Harmonielehre, an innovative collaboration between the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and the Society for Arts and Technology, Innere Musik, a virtual reality experience with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, (Numix 2020, Best Immersive Experience) as well as the immersive film, Partita for 8 Voices, a musical and graphic odyssey (Best Immersive Experience at Macon International Festival, Best of Earth Awards - Art and Experiment).

Fig55

Charles Cardin-Bourbeau

Charles is an artist from Whitehorse, Yukon, trained in contemporary dance at The School of Dance in Ottawa. Upon graduating, he joined Compagnie ODD, where he collaborated with several renowned Canadian choreographers, including Noam Gagnon and Tedd Robinson. From 2014 to 2016, he danced for O Vertigo Danse, then for Compagnie Marie Chouinard until 2018. He continued his career as a performer with Dorsale Danse, Louise Bédard Danse, Théâtre à l'eau Froide, and most recently with Sylvain Émard Danse. At the same time, he teaches contemporary dance, notably at The School of Dance and the École de danse contemporaine de Montréal. An active choreographer, he has created several works, including A Garden (for my beloved), Little Studies for Homo sapiens, A Forest (for all the lost souls), Un enclos (pour l’impératrice), Cygnes noirs, and Petites Tempêtes. His pieces have been presented in Canada and internationally, notably in Portugal. Photo credits: Jonathan Malenfant

Cat Dio

Cat Dio (Catherine Servedio) has been active on the Montreal scene for over 30 years as a multidisciplinary artist and host. She brings energy and refinement to every performance, whether it's an elegant evening, a creative event, or an immersive show. A singer and actress, she grew up on stage and has collaborated on numerous projects that combine spontaneity, attentiveness, and authenticity. As a musician, she enriches her performances with her accordion playing, offering audiences a unique artistic signature. With her warm stage presence and innate sense of sharing, Cat Dio transforms every moment into a memorable experience, where emotions come to life and the encounter with the audience becomes unforgettable.

Duo étrange

Duo Étrange, formed by cellist Sahara von Hattenberger and soprano Vanessa Croome, is an award-winning voice-cello duo signed to ATMA Classique. Since its founding in 2023, it has made a name for itself on the contemporary scene thanks to its innovative approach and unique interpretations. Winner of the New Music USA Creator Fund 2025 and supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, the duo is preparing to release its first album in February 2026, featuring works by Nicole Lizée, Anders Hillborg, and Luna Pearl Woolf. Hailed by Pan M 360 as “talented and promising,” Duo Étrange has already performed at Salle Bourgie, Le Vivier, Avaloch Farm, and in collaboration with creators from the Metropolitan Opera and Broadway. The duo is performing as part of La vie, la mort, le dessert, a collaboration between the Opéra de Montréal and the Society for Arts and Technology. — The Opéra de Montréal — Deeply rooted in Montreal, at the crossroads of North American and European cultures, the Opéra de Montréal acts as a catalyst for the city's artistic creativity and celebrates the rich vocal heritage of Quebec and Canada by bringing opera to life in all its diversity and audacity. From the great classics of the operatic repertoire to new works from here and abroad, through its training program for the best young Canadian singers and its strong commitment to the community and education, the Opéra de Montréal offers lyrical events.

Duo Étrange

Jean-François Casabonne

Having participated in more than fifty productions, Jean-François Casabonne is a prominent figure in Quebec theater. He has performed on the stages of the TNM, Théâtre Denise Pelletier, Duceppe, Espace Go, Rideau Vert, and Espace Libre, notably in works by Molière, Chekhov, and Shakespeare. On the big screen, he has appeared in films by Simon Lavoie, Anaïs Barbeau Lavalette, and Michel Brault. On television, he has appeared in numerous popular series. An author of novels, plays, and children's books, he is also a musician and multidisciplinary creator.

Jean-François Casabonne

Schedule

February 18, 2026 - February 28, 2026
Dates: February 18 to 21 and February 25 to 28

Several upcoming dates in November and December

Time: 6:00 p.m.
Duration: approximately 3 hours

The performances scheduled from February 20 to 28 are now officially part of Montréal en Lumière’s gourmet program.

Public

13 years and older, informed public. This experience deals with the cycles of nature, including plant and animal death. It may contain scenes that could be disturbing to people who are sensitive to these topics.

In partnership with