It was in 1991 that Mr. Alain Nonat, the General and Artistic Manager of Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20, first made contact with the Chinese representative at the first Universal Arts Convention in Sofia, Bulgaria where he represented Canada as a member of the International Executive Committee. A few years later, this newly forged relationship made it possible for Mr. Nonat to establish contact with the cultural councilor of the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa, who arranged a first visit to China in 2004 where Mr. Nonat gave French lyric repertory interpretation master classes in two musical institutions, one of which was the Beijing Central Music Conservatory.
During his first stay in Beijing, Mr. Nonat established contact with the directors of the Chinese Musician’s Association and proposed to hold a Chinese national audition within a Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques (Young Lyric Ambassadors) program.
2005
The first national audition of the Chinese Young Lyric Ambassadors was held in April 2005. Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20 formed an international selection committee composed of: Danuta Dubois, Chief Music Inspector from the Ministry of Culture (France), Christian Mihailescu, General Manager of the Brasov Opera (Romania) and Alain Nonat, General and Artistic Manager of Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20 (Canada). Auditions, preceded by master classes given by Mr. Mihailescu and Mr. Nonat, were held in Beijing. The result was that two laureates were invited for concerts in Montreal, two more were hired by the Brasov Opera in Romania to sing leading parts in two productions and others were sent to participate in European competitions.
In December 2005, Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20 proposed the creation of the International Lyric Center of Chengdu to the Sichuan Music Conservatory. In order to promote the French lyric art, and in collaboration with Professor Zhu Qing Lacombe, we staged Carmen, an opera by Bizet with performances given by the students and teachers of the conservatory. A Quebec tenor was invited for one of the leading roles, and other soloists were invited. Mr. Nonat acted as stage manager and the orchestra was directed by Jacques Blanc of the Bordeaux Opera of France. This project lasted for one month.
2006
In 2006, following the favourable results of these first auditions which made it possible to send laureates to successfully participate in international competitions in Europe, Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20 organized a second series of auditions to take place in Beijing and Chengdu. The international selection committee named by Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20 reunited Mr. Mihailescu and Mr. Nonat to which it added Mr. Norbert Klein of the Gelsenkirchen Opera (Germany). Master classes were also held in Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai by Mr. Mihailescu and Mr. Nonat. Once again, two laureates were invited to sing in concerts in Montreal and others were sent to Europe.
2007
The third audition of the Chinese Young Lyric Ambassadors program was held in Beijing in April 2007. The members of the international selection committee were Mr. Mihailescu, Mr. Nonat and Mr. James Wright, General Manager of Opera Vancouver (Canada). Many laureates were sent to European international competitions and subsequently won prizes and training courses. Two laureates were invited to come to Montreal to perform.
2008
The fourth national audition of the Chinese Young Lyric Ambassadors program was organized in April 2008 in collaboration with the Mianyang Branch of the Sichuan Music Conservatory and our partner, the International Lyric Center of Chengdu. The international selection committee was made up of Mr. Nonat, Mrs. Jean MacPhail of the Royal Music Conservatory of Toronto (Canada) and Mr. Hans Nieuwenhuis, General and Artistic Manager of the Amsterdam Nederland Opera Studio (Holland).
For this fourth audition, the Royal Music Conservatory of Toronto, a new partner to our China program, has donated three 2-year study bursaries evaluated at $35,000.00 each.
2009
The fifth national audition of the Chinese Young Lyric Ambassadors program was organized in April 2009 in the Chengdu Music Conservatory with the collaboration of the China Schola Cantorum. The international selection committee was made up Mr. Nonat, Hans Nieuwenhuis, Zhu Qing Lacombe, and Henri Maier, Director of Opera events, Germany.
2010
The sixth national audition of the Chinese Young Lyric Ambassadors program was organized in Chengdu the collaboration of Professor Zhu Qing Lacombe at the Sofiel Hôtel with a master class given by M Alain Nonat
One singer win a $ 500 Francis Poulenc Prize
2011
The seventh national audition of the Chinese Young Lyric Ambassadors program was organized with a master class with M Alain Nonat, (Canada) Hans Nieuwenhuis (The Netherland )and M Cristian Mihailescu (Romania ) at the conservatory of Ningxia University of Yinchuan and two Francis Poulenc Prize from $ 750 each we offered to Xingpeng Zhan, baritone and Xiaoxing Zhang, soprano
2012
A 5 days auditions at the Sichaun Music Conservatory of Music in June 2012
A 10 days master class at the Conservatory of music of Ningxia University of Yinchuan in October plus a final concert. et une audition des Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques
2013
Alain Nonat gives a master class in Chengdu Music Conservatory in June
2014
Alain Nonat gives a master class at the Ningxia University College of Music in October et une audition des Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques
2016
Alain Nonat gives a master class at the Tianjin Art Vocational college and an audition of the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques
Since 2005, Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20 has obtained the collaboration of many international partners for its Canadian program.
In China
Chinese Musicians Association- Main partner
Beijing Central Music Conservatory, Sichuan Music Conservatory in Chengdu,
International Lyric Centre of Chengdu and Professors of the Shanghai Music Conservatory.
Ningxia University of Yinchuan.
In Canada
Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto, Opéra de Québec, Opera Vancouver. L’OJIQ
In Europe
Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20 have partners in
Austria, Bielorussia, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Netherland, Russia, Slovakia, Spain
MUSICAL INSTITUTIONS
FROM WHICH COME THE CANDIDATES FOR THE CHINESE PROGRAM
Xinghai Conservatory of Music. Sichuan Music Conservatory, Southwest University for Nationalities,
Sichuan Normal University, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Herbin Opera House, Zhejiang Vocational Academy of Art,China National Opera & Dance Drama Company, Shanghai Huiluo Art School, Shanghai Xinku School, Shanxi University,Renmin University of China, Tianjin Conservatory of Music, Central Conservatory of Music of Beijing, PLA Political Dept. Song & Drama Ensemble, Guangzhiou Opera Institute, Shenyang Conservatory of Music,Jilin Yanbian University China Conservatory of Music, Xi’an Conservatory of Music, Shenzhen Musician’s Association,Guizhou Tongren Teachers’ College, Air Force Art Troupe, Shanghai Opera House, Herbei Symphony Orchestra,College of Art Xiamen University, Wuxi Jiangnan University, High School of China People University,College of Art and Communication-Beijing Normal University, Xihua Conservatory of Music,Chongqing Singing & Dance Group School of Music, Zhejiang Normal University, China National Opera House, Ningxia University of Yinchuan, Tianjin Art Vocational college
CHINESE LAUREATES
INVITED TO THE JEUNES AMBASSADEURS LYRIQUES GALA IN MONTREAL
Since the first auditions were held, Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20 has invited two laureates from the national auditions of the Chinese Young Lyric Ambassadors program to come to Montreal to perform. Each year these young Chinese artists attract the attention of the Montreal public.
In 2006, soprano Liu Lian was hired by the director of l’Opéra de Québec for its annual gala after having been heard at the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques Gala in Montreal.
In 2007, Zhao Ming, bass and Song Gong, baritone were invited to Montreal , M Song Gong won a prize at the Ninth Czech and Slovak International Music Competition in Montreal.on the same week.
In 2008, Bing Bing soprano and Hua Hu tenor from Shanghai were invited in Montreal for several concerts and the JAL Gala.
In 2009, 3 singers, Lian Liu, soprano.and Zhou YuanYuan, mezzo soprano from Shanghai and tenor Tao Tong from Chengdu were invited for several concerts in Montreal and the JAL Gala.
In 2011, 2 singers are invited Mrs Lan Zhao, soprano and Mrs Xiaoxing Zhang, soprano for 4 concerts in Montreal
In 2012, 2 singers are invited fro 4 concerts Tao Tong, tenor and Vanessa Liao, soprano at the Montreal JAL program
In 2013, soprano Lian Liu is invited for 4 concerts at the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques program in Montreal
In 2014, baritone Andy Wang is invited for 4 concerts at the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques program in Montreal
In 2015 soprano Cui Wenwen is invited for 4 concerts at the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques program in Montreal
In 2016 tenor Ma Guoyi is invited for 4 concerts at the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques program in Montreal