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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Montreal-born baritone Bruno Roy is currently studying for his master of music performance at McGill University, where he also received his bachelor’s degree. His recent operatic credits include Count Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro (Opera McGill); Matt in Crush (Banff Centre); L’Horloge/Le Chat in L’enfant et les sortilèges (Opera on the Avalon); Papageno in The Magic Flute (Blooming Voce Summer Opera Workshop); Masetto in Don Giovanni (FAVA Opera); and Raoul de Gardefeu in La Vie Parisienne (Opera Without Fences). In 2016, he appears as John Brooke in Little Women and Belcore in L’elisir d’amore at Opera McGill. 

Three Things about Bruno Roy

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

From a very young age, I was involved in choirs and other vocal ensembles. My mother always had a subscription to the opera and I would often accompany her during these formative years. It created in me a deep appreciation for this repertoire and it is why I decided to make it my course of study.

It is an art form that I find fascinating; it melds drama, literature and music all into one and by juxtaposing it with the power of the human voice, provides us with a unique sensory experience. It has the capacity to make us laugh, cry and reflect, and the composers, stage directors and musicians wanting to share these emotions are what keep this art form going.

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

I am a big foodie. When it comes to coffee, wine and good food, I always go for the best that a city has to offer. You will also find me behind the counter, whipping up a nice meal for some friends. 

Lastly, I must admit that I am often a victim of vanity; I love shopping for nice shoes and I’m always on the lookout for a new hair pomade.

Do you have a dream role? What is it?

The title role in Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande is one that I hold near and dear to my heart. It is a beautiful work in which the characters intentions and emotions are expressed with a unique colour palette where the orchestra expertly supports the prose-like vocal line and where suggestion is just as powerful as action. A highly symbolic opera, it is one that produces in me a new reflection on every listen.

Follow Bruno on Twitter at @brunobeloinroy

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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

Photo Credit: Stephane Poirier