Out of a pool of 120 aspiring opera singers from across the country, eight were selected to compete at Centre Stage: Ensemble Studio Competition on November 3, 2015, our annual celebration of the next generation of opera stars selected from nationwide auditions for the COC Ensemble Studio—Canada’s premier training program for young opera professionals. The competition features the young singers vying for cash prizes ranging in value from $1,500 to $5,000. We interviewed our eight young finalists to learn more—check out all of the interviews, linked by name as they become available, here (or here if on a mobile device). 

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Clermont, Quebec-born mezzo-soprano Marjorie Maltais recently completed her master of music performance and literature at Western University, where she also earned a bachelor of music in voice performance. Her operatic credits include Rosina in The Barber of Seville (Montefeltro Festival); Dorabella in Così fan tutte, Angelina in La Cenerentola, and Concepcion in L’heure espagnole (Western University Opera); the title role in Carmen (Windsor Symphony Orchestra); and Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Opera on the Avalon). She also recently performed at Music Academy of the West. Upcoming performances include concert appearances with the Guelph and Windsor symphony orchestras, Boise Philharmonic and Sweetwater Music Festival. 

Three Things about Marjorie Maltais

Why opera? How did you come to be an opera singer and what do you find so compelling about the art form?

I started singing in a choir at age 12 and this is where I discovered my voice. Opera was not a passion at first, but I learned to love it. At a young age, I remember finding the actual mechanics of singing fascinating. I wanted to be able to project my voice like an opera singer. Then I fell in love with the music, the stories, the costumes, the sets. Opera is all of my passions combined into one art form. 

 

What are your hobbies, interests, other projects, outside of opera?

I love visual arts, comedies, documentaries, hiking, and good meals in good company!  

 

Do you have a dream role?  What is it?

My dream role is the feisty Isabella from Rossini’s L’Italiana in Algeri who must rescue her love. I can’t get enough of Rossini!

 

Follow Marjorie on Twitter at @MezzoMarjo

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For more information and to purchase tickets, visit COCCentreStage.ca, call COC Ticket Services at 416-363-8231 or visit the Four Seasons Centre Box Office (145 Queen St. W.).

To buy competition tickets, click here.
To buy Under 30 competition tickets sponsored by TD, click here.
For more information about the the Centre Stage Dinner event and how to purchase tickets, please contact the PC Office at 416-363-5801