News

Schulich students participate in masterclasses with tenor Julian Prégardien

Published: 1 December 2017

Hosted by the Montreal Bach Festival 2017 and presented at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, two public masterclasses were held November 29th to 30th with acclaimed tenor Julian Prégardien featuring students from le Conservatoire, Université de Montréal and the Schulich School of Music of McGill University.

Voice area chair Stefano Algieri describes:

"On November 29th and 30th 2017, Voice students from McGill University's Schulich School of Music, Université de Montréal and le Conservatoire de musique de Montréal participated in J.S. Bach JOHANNESPASSION public Master Classes at the Conservatoire with the distinguished German tenor and teacher, Julian Prégardien. Initiated by Dr. Alexandra Scheibler, Director of Montreal Bach Festival, the nature of these public performances was a collaborative effort jointly sponsored by these Institutions. 

Mr. Julian Prégardien is one of the world's foremost exponents of the music of J. S. Bach, and the opportunity for young singers to have worked with him was absolutely golden. In this public forum, M. Prégardien worked in detail with each singer individually for thirty minutes on style, technique, musicality, language, interpretation, etc., and at the same time he shared with them the historical background of this tradition in its present and past context. He listened to the singers sing, sang with them, and sang alone as well to demonstrate ideas.

It was wonderful to witness the illumination that took place, not just in the student-singers, but in Mr. Prégardien as well. That inner light, the revelation of the spirit from each singer that was ignited and realized in a greater awareness of themselves, and the profound music and text that they were inhabiting, was evident. 

Inspiration being the key, I am sure that the lives of all who were fortunate enough to have shared this in this experience, be it performer or listener, be it musical or personal, will be reflected in a clearer light." - Stefano Algieri, Voice Area Chair

Alongside collaborative pianist Julien LeBlanc, the Schulich students who participated include:

  • Mikayla Jensen-Large, mezzo-soprano
  • Veronica Pollicino, mezzo-soprano
  • Olivier Benoit, counter tenor
  • Patrick McGill, tenor
  • Ella Wilhelm, mezzo-soprano
  • Justin Swanson, tenor
  • Bryan DeParsia, baritone
  • Peter Koniers, counter tenor
  • Ryan Nauta, tenor
  • Reed Copeland, bass
  • Jean-Philippe Lupien, bass
  • Élodie Bouchard, soprano

Learn more about Julian's history with the Montreal Bach Festival here.

 

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