Olivier Laquerre - Career Highlights So Far
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By 2001, Olivier appeared on stage as Count Almaviva in Mozart's “The Marriage of Figaro,” featuring the McGill Symphony Orchestra at the Pollack Hall in Montreal.
His performance was memorable, noticed by reviewers like Arthur Kaptainis of the Gazette who stated, ”A tall man, Laquerre was so impressive a villain in his great solo of Act III one wondered whether Puccini's Scarpia had made an impromptu appearance. At any rate, the singing was magnificent."
It was a fabulous, encouraging early accolade for a young singer. Indeed, now in 2020, Laquerre would be a perfect age, of perfect vocal maturity, and have the sharpened acting instincts and experience to take on the legendary role of Il Baron Scarpia in “Tosca” - a character so full of contrasts, indulgences and borderline madness because of his obsessive love for Puccini's tragic heroine.
Olivier as Count Almaviva, with Frédérique Vézina as Countess Almaviva, in “Le nozze di Figaro,” 2001. Photo © 2001: Robert Etcheverry
2002
Olivier appeared as Andrei Shchelkalov in “Boris Godunov”
by Modest Mussorgsky, directed by Denni Sayers
Canadian Opera Company
Hummingbird Centre, Toronto April 5-20, 2002
2003/2004
In the fall of 2003, Olivier played Cesare Angelotti in six performances of Puccini's “Tosca” with The Canadian Opera Company. He also had roles in other productions from the company that year, in Verdi's “Un ballo in maschera” as Silvano and Rossini's “L'italiana in Algeri” as Haly.
Olivier first appeared as King Thoas in Opera Atelier's “Iphigénie en Tauride” by Gluck in 2003, and would reprise that role with Peggy Kriha Dye and Krešimir Špicer in 2009. Photo © 2009: Bruce Zinger
Olivier (right) appeared as Leporello in an Opera Atelier staging of the opera in 2004 in Toronto. Laquerre had already made his debut as Leporello touring with Opera Atelier in Mozart's “Don Giovanni” in their 2003 production at the Seoul Arts Centre in Korea, with Michael Chioldi in the title role.
2004 and Resurrecting Jean-Baptiste Lully's “Persée”
Olivier had numerous appearances in Opera Atelier Lully's “Persée,” first in 2004 (as well as a filmed version of a live performance at the Elgin Theatre in 2004 and released on DVD in 2005), and later in the 2010, 2014, and also the 2014 Versailles productions. Olivier would play two roles, King Céphée and the Medusa.
As King Céphée with Peggy Dye and Carla Huhtanen, “Persée,” 2014, Photo © 2014: Bruce Zinger
Lawrence Wiliford as Mercury, Curtis Sullivan, Olivier Laquerre as Medusa and Aaron Ferguson, “Persée,” 2014. Photo © 2014: Bruce Zinger
According to Greek Mythology, Hermes lent Perseus (in the French, “Persée”) winged sandals to fly, and Athena gave him a polished shield. Opera Atelier stages Lully's opera most delightfully, notches the story up with mystical visual touches that truly bring the myth to life. Amazing sword ballet choreography and traditional court dances, a faithful to the sound and times Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra & Chamber Choir conducted by Hervé Niquet, glorious costumes and set design, the legendary Medusa, and even a dragon to slay, made for an enthralling two-plus hours of superb entertainment. It was a monumental, historic feat for Opera Atelier to stage anywhere in the world, be it Toronto or Versailles. In fact, “'Persée' was the first opera ever performed at the Royal Opera House in Versailles, in celebration of the wedding of Marie Antoinette to the future King Louis XVI of France,” according to the write up on an Opera Atelier Versailles Tour Indiegogo page – a fundraiser that secured enough funds to travel to France and return the opera for the first time to the Versailles stage in 2014.
The opera was originally composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully for France's future reigning monarch Louis XIV, telling the story of Perseus pledging to decapitate the snake-crowned Medusa in order to be able to marry the princess Andromeda. Medici TV filmed a two-hour documentary following Opera Atelier as it brought the baroque opera back to life in Toronto in 2004, “Rebirth of an Opera: Persée in the Court of Atelier.”
As related by Medici, “Our cameras capture the internationally acclaimed Canadian company, Opera Atelier – featuring the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra & Chamber Choir conducted by Hervé Niquet, as it remounts the lyric-tragedy on the stage of the Elgin Theatre in Toronto. Richly layered, the performance documentary presents viewers with rehearsals of specific scenes from the opera juxtaposed with excerpts from the corresponding stage production. Intimate interviews with Canadian and French musicologists, theatre historians, Baroque dance specialists, and the artists of Opera Atelier will provide a twenty-first century audience with perspective and dimension.”
For more information about Medici's documentary about Persée,:
https://www.dev.medici.tv/en/documentaries/rebirth-of-an-opera-Persée/
At 6' 5”, Olivier kneels in costume as the Medusa so that the make-up team can do touch-ups for “Persée”
From the filmed live performance of Lully's “Persée,” 2004, Olivier as Medusa singing “Je perdu l'appetit” with Opera Atelier at the Elgin Winter Garden Theatre, Toronto. Olivier adds that, "Although the youtube video is titled "J'ai perdu l'appetit," meaning "I've lost appetite," Medusa's first words are in fact, "J'ai perdu la beauté qui me rendit si vaine" which translates as "I've lost the beauty that made me so vain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZycerjSPLHQ
2005
In the world premiere of Johann Mattheson’s “Boris Goudenow” in May 2005, Olivier sang the role of Tsar Theodorus Ivanowitz with the Boston Early Music Festival.
Review quote:
“... baritone Olivier Laquerre was touching as the old Czar." Richard Dyer (The Boston Globe)
2006
With the Opéra de Québec at Le Grand Théâtre de Québec. Olivier as toreador Escamillo in Bizet's “Carmen,” 2006. Photo © 2006: Louise Leblanc
In dress rehearsal, Olivier in the role of Papageno and Carla Huhtanen as Papagena in Opera Atelier's production of Mozart's “Die Zauberflöte” (The Magic Flute), 2006. Photo © 2006: Bruce Zinger
2007
Olivier appears as Ulysses in Monteverdi’s “Il Ritorno d’Ulisse” with Opera Atelier in 2007, under David Fallis.
Among the many reviews of Olivier as Ulysses in six performances of the opera:
"Particular kudos go to [...] baritone Olivier Laquerre in the title role." - John Terauds (The Toronto Star)
"Laquerre [...] stood out for [his] strength of voice and characterization." - Christopher Hoile (Eye Weekly)
"[Laquerre] gives a stalwart portrayal physically and vocally." - Michael Johnson (ConcertoNet.com)"
2008
Interview with Mireille Asselin and commentary by Kevin Sullivan of Sullivan Entertainment (see separate article)
2008
Olivier as Arbace in Opera Atelier's “Idomeneo,” 2008. Photo © 2008: Bruce Zinger
2009
“L'Incoronazione di Poppea,” 2009. Olivier as Ottone with Peggy Kriha Dye in Opera Atelier's production of the 17th-century Italian opera by Claudio Monteverdi. Photo © 2009: Bruce Zinger
2010
Carla Huhtanen as Susanna and Olivier in the title role in “The Marriage of Figaro,” 2010, with Opera Atelier. Photo © 2010: Bruce Zinger. The production also marked the OA debut of mezzo soprano Wallis Giunta as Cherubino.
In his review, James Karas remarked that “Bass-baritone Olivier Laquerre as Figaro led the wonderful cast. His Figaro is light-footed, fast-thinking and very funny. The tall and lithe Laquerre sang magnificently. Soprano Carla Huhtanen was his lively and intelligent Susanna, with baritone Phillip Addis as Count Almaviva and Soprano Peggy Kriha Dye as the Countess, with each one doing excellent work.”
2012
Olivier: This picture was a selfie I took in my tiny dressing room at the Glimmerglass Festival, as Artémidor in “Armide.” Ali Pohanka did the make up on this production. I’ve used the picture multiple times on my website whenever I would do a show where I’d wear this exact same costume. I’ve worn the make-up and the costume for countless Opera Atelier shows – twice in “Médée,” “Armide” twice, “L’incoronazione di Poppea,” and in “Persée” three times, also in “Il ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria.” So, at L'Opéra Royal du Château in Versailles, as well as Toronto. The costume supposedly is retired, but who knows. I don’t think Opera Atelier would get rid of it or auction it without asking me first. :) Photo © 2012: Olivier Laquerre
2013
“The Magic Flute,” 2013, Olivier with Laura Albino Luther at Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre. Photo © 2013: Paul Oros.
2014
Olivier as Melisso with Meghan Lindsay and Krešimir Špicer, in Opera Atelier's production of Handel's “Alcina,” 2014. Photo © 2014: Bruce Zinger
Olivier with Meghan Lindsay and Wallis Giunta (left) in dress rehearsal for “Alcina,” 2014. Photo © 2014: Bruce Zinger
2015
With The Toronto Consort, Olivier as Belshazzar and Bud Roach as Noble in “The Play of Daniel,” (“Ludus Danielis”), 2015. Staged at Trinity St. Paul's Church. Photo © 2015: Glenn Davidson
2016
Olivier in costume backstage as a Druid warrior in the Canadian Opera Company production of “Norma,” 2016. Photo © 2016: Gene Wu
2017
Olivier as Arcas in Charpentier's “Médée” staged by Opera Atelier in 2017 in Toronto and Versailles. Olivier (centre) and cast during rehearsal. Photo © 2017: Bruce Zinger
Mozart's “The Marriage of Figaro,” 2017, in the famous English translation by American playwright Jeremy Sams. Olivier Laquerre as Antonio and Stephen Hegedus as Count Almaviva. Other cast included Mireille Asselin as Susanna, Peggy Kriha Dye as Countess Almaviva. With this 2017 production, Olivier has thus far played three different roles in the opera. Photo © 2017: Bruce Zinger
Olivier with soprano Monique Pagé performing “Mass of the Children,” 2017, with conductor Sébastien Lépine and the Conservatoire de Trois-Rivières orchestra, at the Église Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Allégresses, Trois-Rivieres in Quebec. Olivier had previously appeared as Amédée with Monique Pagé in “Constance,” in 2004. Photo © 2017: Pascal Pépin
2017
Working with composer Louis Dominique Roy in 2017 (see separate article)
2018
From Forum TV:
Sung by baritone Olivier Laquerre, with the Queen's Own Rifles (QOR)
"Plyve Kacha" became Ukraine's unofficial anthem in the days following the sniping that killed dozens of protesters during the deadliest days of the Revolution of Dignity. [The Ukrainian revolution of 2014.] Performed yesterday [November 4, 2018] by QOR during the Remembrance Day service at Ukrainian Canadian Memorial Park in Toronto.
«Пливе кача» у виконані Band & Bugles of the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada вчора на заході до Дня Пам'яті в Торонто
Музичний Директор: Lieutenant Megan Hodge, CD.
Соліст: Olivier Laquerre
Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Toronto Branch
Ukrainian War Veterans Association of Canada
Performance link:
https://www.facebook.com/ForumTVCanada/videos/744900925842499/
2019
Olivier played the role of Arbace in Opera Atelier's 2019 production of Mozart's “Idomeneo.” This splendid photo of Olivier is from a 2008 OA performance of the opera. Comments Olivier, "Decisions on costumes can change for future stagings. For the production in 2019, I actually wore a different costume, the same silver one that I had worn in Alcina in 2014." Photo © 2008: Bruce Zinger
Review excerpt for “Idomeneo” by Stephen Bonfield, Opera Canada, April 10, 2019:
"And then there was striking baritone Bradley Christensen as the High Priest and Olivier Lacquerre as Arbace, both lending essential dramatic lower tessitura counterbalance to the opera’s preference for upper register roles. Christensen and Laquerre are excellent singers and actors and I look forward to seeing them in more roles with OA.”
Performances with the Boston Early Music Festival, June 2019:
“Atys” (act IV, scène V) by Lully
Olivier Laquerre, Le fleuve Sangar
“Les Fontaines de Versailles” by M. R. de Lalande)
Olivier Laquerre, Le Dieu du Canal
“Les Plaisirs de Versailles” by Charpentier
Olivier Laquerre, Choeur des Plaisirs
Performances with Louis Dominique Roy, Piano, in February, 2019:
“Le Récital des Anges”
1. Claire de lune intellectuel
2. La terrasse aux spectres
3. Amour immaculé
4. Berceuse
5. Rêves enclos
“Cinq poèmes d'Émile Nelligan”
Olivier Laquerre, Baritone
Louis Dominique Roy, Piano
Dates:
24 Feb 2019, Les Éditions du Nouveau Théâtre Musical, Quebec
2019
Interview with composer William Right
William Right released his new single “God’s Wonderland” in 2019, promoting the song in live performances and videos featuring William, Olivier and pop-rock singer Paris Black. The song, centering on living though and surviving sorrows and tragedies parallel to our greatest moments of joy, will be part of Right’s upcoming musical “Black and White.”
Lorraine: How were you inspired to write your musical “Black and White” and your new single “God's Wonderland.” How did Paris Black and baritone Oliver Laquerre become involved musically, and did you have any previous professional association with them?
William: “Black and White” is a musical I wrote during my final high school year at Northview Heights Secondary School in 1989. “God’s Wonderland” is a song from my musical. Natasha Williams, a woman of colour, was my high school sweetheart. Natasha and I later connected during my separation/divorce, and we had planned on having a life together, but she died of a massive hear attack on November 27, 2015. A copy of my libretto was cremated with her. My father died of cancer on June 12, 2016. I lost my kids and my house to a divorce, and I currently live in a basement apartment. Yet in spite of everything, I try to have a positive outlook on life.
“Black and White” is dedicated to the memory of Natasha. A “Natasha Williams Bursary” will be initiated by my not for profit organization “Black and White Music Productions” at the Toronto Board of Education, earmarked for a student seeking a career in music.
Paris Black was introduced to me before the launch of my first music release “Going Home” by John David Hart. The Paris Black Band performed at my release concert in January , 2018. Paris Black invited me and my band, the Brothers In Arms Band to open for him and his band at several of his concerts around town.
I already knew Olivier Laquerre through the Canadian military. I remember him being in the Reserves in the past, as a French horn player with the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. I had never heard him sing, but the vocalist in my band mentioned he was an opera singer. Around September 2017, Olivier and I were performing at the opening concert of the Invictus Games at Roy Thompson Hall. I was playing trumpet with the combined massed bands of 32 Brigade, and he was singing. It was the first time I had heard him sing, at the practice that day, and the concert later. His voice and singing style blew me away! I had sung in a synagogue choir for 10 years in the 1980s beside a baritone opera singer, so I immediately recognized quality - Olivier is truly an amazing singer! I approached Olivier backstage at Roy Thompson Hall, showed him scores for a few songs, and he said they looked like a lot of fun.
When it was time to decide on who would sing on “God’s Wonderland,” I asked Paris and Olivier if they would like to do the recording with me, and they both agreed.”
Olivier, Mark Powney, Paris Black, William Right, September 2019. Photo © 2019: Tom Sudic (Image courtesy of William Right)
William: “God’s Wonderland” debuted on Friday, January 18, 2019, on Hugh Reilly’s Liquid Lunch Show, where Paris Black, Olivier Laquerre and I performed my song.
Lorraine: What do you feel Laquerre and Black brought especially to the single regarding their specific talents?
William: Olivier brought a lot of passion, and opera star power to “God’s Wonderland”. Not just that, but Olivier has a strong understanding of where a song needs to go to tell the story behind the song and bring out its emotional qualities.
Paris is a rock superstar from the 1980s, who's making a comeback with an upcoming music release. He has a wonderful, powerful voice. Olivier told me he loves to sing with him because Paris really knows how to use his high range the way an operatic tenor does, with power. Paris also brought a “rock” element to my song. In a way, “God’s Wonderland” is rock-opera in style, and you don’t hear a lot of that these days.
A Little More about Paris Black
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) online news page AGOinsider related in early December 2019 that Popsinger-songwriter Paris Black “is AGO's next top model” and “from Milan to Beijing to the AGO Paris Black is the accomplished professional model making appearances in Walker Court as the centerpiece of Rubens-inspired “Life Drawing.”
Paris recently completed his phenomenally popular AGO engagement as an artist life model and is continuing with contemporary music projects already underway.
Lorraine:
What was your experience rehearsing, recording and performing “God's Wonderland” with with Olivier?
Paris:
He was incredible to work with, a giving, generous talent. It was really an honour to work with Olivier, and I hope to do so again...a humble, kind gentleman.
Valkyrie Valhalla: “This photo was taken at the premier of Opera Atelier's “Don Giovanni” on October 31, 2019 at the Ed Mirvish Theatre after the performance, just moments before Marshall Pynkoski addressed the patrons and thanked everyone for their support. Paris Black is my husband, and he was honoured to record “God's Wonderland” with Olivier Laquerre, composed and written by William Right, who served in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves with Olivier.” Photo © 2018: Valkyrie Valhalla
.... William Right interview, cont'd.
Lorraine: What do you feel are the unique qualities of “God's Wonderland” - it's message, presentation or other - that an audience would find appealing on stage or on a soundtrack?
William: The song conveys frustration. The main character is deeply in love with a girl, and is helpless without getting assistance to ask her out. He is frustrated about lack of control, thinking that maybe God is the one pulling the proverbial “strings.” We’re playing in “God’s Wonderland.”
Lorraine: What is your formal position with the Canadian military and your musical background with them? What is your non-military musical background?
William: I joined the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves in 1995, and I am currently a musician and soldier with the regimental band of the Governor General’s Horse Guards. I was a 2402 Governor General’s Horse Guard cadet from 1982-1989, so the military has been an instrumental part of my life for a long time. In the Reserves, I am a corporal, with 6A music qualification. I play in the trumpet section, and we perform in concert settings, ceremonial functions and parades.
The “God's Wonderland” video and interview with Hugh Reilly, from ThatChannel.com:
“William Right launches his new single "God's Wonderland", including a live performance by William, Olivier Laquerre (Opera Atelier), and Paris Black (“I'm Not Jesus”). The song, to be included in William Right's upcoming musical "Black and White", describes the tragedy that often if not always accompanies life's great joys.”
“God’s Wonderland” performance and interview on Hugh Reilly’s Liquid Lunch Show:
https://youtu.be/gK4l3PDNdGU
In summation, William shares that on May 05 2019, “I formed a not-for-profit organization called “Black and White Music Productions.” The organization's mission statement:
http://blackandwhitemusicproductions.org/index.html
A very special moment for Olivier Laquerre
Olivier, moments after receiving the The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada's Coin - “FOR EXCELLENCE - PRESENTED BY THE COMMAND TEAM” during the annual Troops Dinner, December 5, 2018 at the Moss Park Armoury, a Canadian Forces facility in Toronto
For a complete list of performances, or more information about baritone Olivier Laquerre or a schedule of his performances and venues for 2020 and beyond, visit
OlivierLaquerre.com