technOpera Dido and Aeneas

Under the artistic
direction of mïka (Rok-Str.prod), one DJ and one VJ of the [mix_sessions]
collective participate in the performance at the SAT in collaboration with the
singers from the Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal.
The performance is an artistic multimedia exploration on the themes of Henry
Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas, presented at the Opéra de Montréal
this season.

The performance
is based on an original concept developed by the artists, inspired by the themes
and music of Dido and Aeneas. The performance will be of approximately 90 minutes in duration and includes a multimedia presentation about the opera
and the VJ/DJ exploration in a dialogue with the singers.

ARTISTIC DIRECTION
mïka
SINGERS
Julie Boulianne, mezzo soprano, Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal
Etienne Dupuis, baritone, Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal
Geviève Lévesque, mezzo soprano
Sophie Martin, soprano
DJ Mini
VJ – [mix_sessions]
Johnny Ranger
CHOREOGRAPHER
Jean-Marc St-Yves
DANCERS
Rosalind Smith
Mathieu Rainville
Marie-Ève Ouimet
Christian Morneau

VJ – AMBIANCE
Martine Koutnouyan AKA Ladyroll
EXTRA MUSICIANS
Tina Louise Cayouette, viola
Andréanne Hatin, pianist/arranger
COSTUME DESIGNER
Isabelle Ouimet

BIOGRAPHIES
mïka, artistic director/musician
After studying in computer-assisted sound design and classical piano, this multidisciplinary
artist pursued his studies in contemporary dance. He started his career in several
broadway-type of productions but soon realized that creating was more of interest
to him. He describes his artistic process as one that focuses on story telling
by any means necessary. Whether using the medium of dance, music or technology,
a compelling tale will be told in an original way. The end result is a series
of colourful and poetic creations reminiscent of childhood that stimulate the
imagination of spectators. mïka will appear in June at the Fringe Fest
with his much anticipated electronic musical inspired by a Kurt Weill’ opera
and the story of “Alice in Wonderland”. www.rok-str.com

VJ Johnny
Ranger
The artistic projects of Johnny Ranger include VJing, interdisciplinary shows,
performances and web art. He is the founder of Mindroots (www.mindroots.com)
a sensuous poetic laboratory of non linear creation. He has been a regular VJ
in the SAT[digital_scene series and the SAT[mix_sessions]. He has been invited
to present his work at the Biennale de Montréal, the Théâtre
Lachapelle, the Espace Tangente, the New Museum of Contemporary art in New York,
the printemps du Québec à Paris and the File Festival in Brazil
amongst other. Johnny Ranger is currently working on a new live performance
of open-ended audio-visual narratives entitled: Les Constellations dynamiques
which includes footages he has shot in Brazil, India, Indonesia, US and Canada.

DJ Mini
The undisputed queen of Montreal’s electro scene has only one desire: to captivate
her audiences. While electro remains the corner stone of her sets, Mini doesn’t
shy away from integrating music with punk-rock, industrial, techno or even breakbeat
influences. Nourished by an immeasurable thirst for knowledge and moved by a
desire to outdo herself, Mini seeks to leave her mark, and this, with one and
all. www.djmini.com

Julie Boulianne,
mezzo soprano
Julie Boulianne is appearing as Nicklausse in The Tales of Hoffmann this coming
May at the Opéra de Québec where she appeared as Javotte in Massenet’s
Manon last April. She has been heard in the Opéra de Montréal’s
productions of The Marriage of Figaro and The Magic Flute, and in the roles
of Hänsel/the Mother (Hänsel and Gretel) on the Atelier lyrique’s
tour. She has recorded numerous concerts for Radio-Canada, the French-language
service of the CBC.

Étienne
Dupuis, baritone
This season, Etienne Dupuis is appearing in several roles with the company:
the Mandarin (Turandot), the Wigmaker (Ariadne auf Naxos), the Notary (Don Pasquale),
Lesbo (Agrippina) and Le Dancaïre (Carmen). In previous seasons, he played
the role of Registrario (Madama Butterfly), Marullo (Rigoletto), the First Customs
Officer (La Bohème), and Schaunard (La Bohème, in the matinee
performance for young audiences). As part of the Atelier’s productions
in the current season, he sang the role of the Recruiting Sergeant in the premiere
of L’Arche by Isabelle Panneton. In recent seasons, he was Escamillo/Le
Dancaïre (Carmen) and the Father (Hänsel and Gretel) on the Atelier
lyrique tours.

Jean-Marc
St-Yves, choreographer
His career in choreography began with figure skating. After many years of studying
classical ballet and jazz, Jean-Marc specialized in Broadway musicals where
he developped a particular interest in the provocative language of Bob Fossey.
A dance teacher and coach for many years, he choreographed many productions
such as Cabaret, Fame, The Rocky Horror Show live and Tommy. We could see this
artist on several occasions on television, in many movies as well as on stage
during large scale rock shows as a actor/dancer. Jean-Marc is sought after for
his personal contrasting style that is both visceral and irreverent while being
emotionally sensitive.

DANCERS
Marie-Ève Ouimet
Graduated from Collège Montmorency in 2000 in modern dance, she has since
varied her experience by taking interest in circus techniques and several styles
of dances. We have seen her in February 2005 at the theatre in the play “Polichinelle”,
in 2003 with Samantha Fox during Divercité and in several other productions
since 1998. Soon she will be the choreographer for presentations of the École
de Cirque de Verdun.

Rosalind
Smith
With 20 years of experience in dance, Rosalind participated in numerous productions.
She appeared with several dance companies such as the Ensemble of the Dance
Theatre of Harlem (NYC), Ballet de Montréal Eddy Toussaint (Montreal),
the Estherta Ballet Company, the Edmonton Opera, Musical Theatre: the Evolution
of Jazz (Toronto), TCM : FAME (Montreal) and a music video by Michel Jonaz “Le
Scat” (Montreal/France). Rosalind is currently working on developing a
personal language that will be the sum of her professional experiences in dance.

Mathieu
Rainville
Following a successful career in figure skating that made him perform nationally
and internationally, he turned to dance, a discipline closely related to the
sport he practiced for more than 20 years. In addition to rigorous training
in classical ballet, he explored other styles such as traditional, medieval
dance, jazz, Broadway and more recently contemporary dance. A recipient of bursaries
of excellence in several festivals throughout the province, he also danced during
the nomination ceremony of ex-Prime Minister Landry in 2003.

Christian
Morneau
This artist initially started out studying violin and classical ballet. Now
with an impressive range of talents, Christian has been seen in Fame, Sweet
Charity, Cabaret, in concert as a solo artist and in many cabaret style presentations.
Always searching for new possibilities to discover and expand his abilities,
this dancer/singer/actor continues to multiply his artistic experiences.

VJ – ambiance
VJ Martine Koutnouyan AKA Ladyroll
Martine Koutnouyan was born in Lyon, France in 1954. After immigrating to Montreal
in 1977, she began organizing live art events and thus became involved in the
local art scene. She also directed an art gallery in Old Montreal. Partner to
Joseph Lefèvre for many years, she produced most of her recent work in
collaboration with him. Since 2001, she has become active in the VJ scene (live
audiovisual mixing) and performs on a regular basis. She has a fascination for
video mixers and interacting with images. From her very first live experience
with Wetfish in 2001, she hasn’t stopped jamming. “It’s the
beat and the music that guide me”, she says. “The images I mix are
rhythm and substance. I can bring them to life in many different ways”.

Musicians
& extra singers
Geneviève Lévesque, mezzo soprano
Starting her musical process in piano at the age of seven, Geneviève’s
interest for opera arose during her CEGEP studies where she took singing as
a second instrument. In september of 2001, she was admitted to the undergraduate
program of voice performance at McGill University, first under the direction
of Mrs. Valérie Kinslow and then pursuing with Mrs. Thérèse
Sevadjian. Her first scene appearance was in Georg Philipp Telemann’s
Don Quichotte de la Mancha as Pedrillo. Geneviève then embodied Melanto
in Il ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria by Monteverdi. She followed with a soloist
role in the choir of Mozart’s Idomeneo. Adding to her success, the 2004
edition of the Canadian Music Competition chose her as national finalist. Geneviève
is now pursuing her Master studies, still under the direction of Mrs. Sevadjian.

Sophie
Martin, soprano
This young soprano from Sherbrooke is an undergraduate student in singing at
the Music Conservatory of Montreal in Gabrielle Lavigne’s class. In the
Conservatory Opera Workshop, she has personified the roles of Barbarina (Nozze
di Figaro of Mozart), Noémie (Testament de tante Caroline of roussel),
Paulina (Hermione et le temps of Denis Gougeon) and Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi
of Puccini). She received many rewards and distinctions. For her studies at
collegial level at the Conservatory, she obtained the Medal of the Lieutenant-Governor.
She also studied piano for many years.

Tina Louise
Cayouette, viola
Passionate and sensitive in her interpretation, this viola player started her
musical journey at the age of seven playing the flute. Eleven years later, after
obtaining several prizes and bursaries, she decided to reorient her career significantly
by joining the alto class of Mr. Douglas McNabney at McGill University. Tina
performs on a regular basis as a solo artist here in Montreal. Her more recent
appearances include Place des arts, Christ Church Cathedral and even the opening
ceremony of the Expos at the Olympic Stadium! Tina continues to master her technique
with Jean MacRae.

Andréanne
Hatin, pianist/arranger
At a young age, private piano lessons sparked an interest for composition that
she first discovered instinctively. Years later, continuing her studies in classical
piano, she developed a personal style of composition that she is now refining
with the guidance of composer Blair Thomson. We can describe her process as
being a humble and honest, giving a priority to sound and textures. Asides her
implication in TechnOpéra, she is currently working with mïka to
create a technological opera as well as arrangements for his electronic musical.

Isabelle
Ouimet, costume designer
After her studies in visual arts and obtaining a bursary of excellence, Isabelle
pursued her interest for elaborate costume designing for all occasions. She
participated in a great number of fashion shows and photo shoots as creator
and stylist. To broaden her horizons with regards to fabric and textures, she
is currently following a program that specializes in textile design.

TECHNOPERA CONTACTS
Coordination
Anja Nopper, Opéra de Montréal
Joseph Lefèvre, SAT

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Nichola Lapierre, Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal
Simon Brochu, SAT

Society for Arts
and Technology (SAT)
1195 St. Laurent Boulevard
Phone (514) 844-2033
www.sat.qc.ca

Opéra de
Montréal
Phone : (514) 985 2222, poste 2237
www.operademontreal.com
260 de Maisonneuve Boulevard West
Montreal, Quebec H2X 1Y9