Death of Tenor Alain Nonat

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La Scena is sad to learn of the passing of tenor Alain Nonat on Dec. 31, 2024 at the age of 82. Alain was a good friend of singers and La Scena Musicale. We include below his official obituary and the last article we wrote on Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques (JAL) organized by Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20 (TL20).

We offer our condolences to his family.

Every fall, young singers from across Canada prepare for auditions and competitions. The rewards are usually cash prizes and recognition. The set of auditions of the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques (JAL) organized by Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20 (TL20), however, is different—the jury includes many European opera directors and the prizes consist of contracts or tours in Europe. “I believe in giving singers the experience of auditioning and performing in Europe,” said tenor Alain Nonat, the group’s founder.

Originally from Paris, Nonat trained as a heldentenor and continued his studies in Montreal before returning to Europe in 1970 to begin his career.

Returning to Montreal in 1975, he married Canadian soprano Sylvia Burla and settled in Montreal. Performing opportunities locally being limited at that time, Nonat became a full-time elementary-school music teacher. His European experiences prompted him to look for ways to promote opera and dance to the public, and to help singers.

TL20’s first activities were aimed at the general public through its Festival of Opera and several thematic exhibitions devoted to composers, opera and dance. In 1980, the exhibition Pavillon de l’Opéra opened at Man and his World in Montreal, attracting more than 100,000 visitors in the summers 1980-83.

Giving Canadians valuable performing and auditioning experience has always been one of Nonat’s wishes. “While performing opportunities in Canada have increased, it is still important for Canadian musicians, especially singers, to find work in Europe if they want to have a career,” said Nonat, who began to develop partnerships and exchanges in Europe. This led to the creation of Les Journées de la musique française in 1987 and Les rencontres musicales tchèques et slovaques in 1991.

Finally, in 1994, the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques (JAL) was born to allow singers to audition in Canada in front of a jury of opera directors from Canada and mid-size European companies (the people who hire), with prizes that include engagements with those companies.

The first round of JAL is held across Canada in the spring and culminates with the finals in the fall at a Gala Concert in Montreal where young international singers (one year, a young American tenor Michael Fabiano) perform as part of the cultural exchange, and where an average of 10 singers receive prizes. More than 650 singers have benefited from singing before 100 stage directors, including mezzo-sopranos Julie Boulianne and Michèle Losier, as well as baritone Etienne Dupuis. JAL has also held editions in China and Japan.

Official Obituary

Death of Alain Nonat, General and Artistic Director and Founder of Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20 and retired teacher

It is with infinite sadness that we announce the passing of helden tenor Alain Nonat, general and artistic director and founder of Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20. Mr. Alain Nonat, a French and Canadian citizen, passed away in Montreal on December 31, 2024 at the age of 82, surrounded by his family.

From an early age, Alain Nonat discovered his voice and his passion for music. His love of adventure and travel began with the Petits chanteurs de St-François de Sales in France, as he travelled the roads of Europe. His military service and vocal training took him to countries such as France, Switzerland, Germany and the USA, where he studied with tenor Ernst Haefliger amongst others, but it was in Canada that he found his second home.

As a chorist, and later as a soloist, Alain Nonat made his mark as soon as he arrived in Quebec, attracting the attention of local journalists and opera personalities with his musicality, stage presence and seductive tone. After returning to his native France to continue his vocal studies, Alain Nonat came back to Canada and, from then on, devoted himself not only to his career as an artist, but also took teaching studies, before following a second career as a teacher, which he pursued for 27 years.

From the visual arts to music teaching in schools, he left his mark on thousands of children, introducing them with his colorful personality and innovative teaching methods to the wonderful world of art and music. Sharing his love of music with younger generations didn’t stop at the sound of the bell. Indeed, Alain Nonat spent his lunches and evenings after school giving private lessons to his pupils, as well as directing choirs. In addition to the many concerts he organized at Christmas and on other occasions, he created unforgettable memories for many Quebec families by producing children’s operas, including world and North American premieres, with the participation of his young students. Beyond musical direction and staging, he created a world for them, designing structures and sets himself, and involving family, friends, fellow teachers and parents in costume production.

Over the years, he has met some of his former students, who some thirty or forty years later, would recognize and thank him for having given them this passion for music, a hobby or even a career they had chosen. It was this conviction of the importance of introducing young children to culture and investing in their potential from an early age that led him, during his years as a teacher, to defend and fight ardently for a cause that was dear to him: that of preserving art and music classes in schools, a fight that continues today.

In addition to his career as a lyric artist and teacher, he has held a variety of professions and roles, including President of the Union française à Montréal, Vice-President of the Comité français des fêtes of the 350th anniversary of Montréal, and dance critic for the French magazine Danse.

First and foremost, Alain Nonat believed in the democratization of classical music, opera and dance for the general public. That’s why, in 1976, Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20 came into being, an organization unique in the world, to which he devoted over 48 years as volunteer general and artistic director.

Year after year, Alain Nonat put his heart and soul into the mission he had set himself. For him, no project was unachievable or too ambitious. All you had to do was dream and believe, but above all, love what you do. It was this passion, boldness and, above all, unfailing commitment that led him to create large-scale events and unique cultural events in Canada and around the world.

These include the Pavillon de l’Opéra et de la Danse at Terre des hommes, Pan-Opera 84 in Ottawa, the Festival de l’Opéra in shopping malls and cultural centers, Si l’Opéra m’était conté in elementary schools, the Journées de la musique française, the Rencontres musicales tchèques et slovaques, the Rencontres musicales Québec-Europe, the Rencontres lyriques internationales de Montréal and the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques, an international career development program dedicated to up-and-coming opera singers.

In all, he has organized over 40 auditions, as well as more than 50 galas, in the presence of nearly 200 directors, conductors and other representatives of invited cultural organizations. He has also designed and presented over 50 exhibitions on classical music, opera and dance, amassing over the years, a voluminous collection of documents and objects related to classical music, opera and dance, including models, posters, costumes, scores and archives. He has also produced over 3,200 classical music and opera concerts and dance shows, as well as presenting more than 60 master classes, featuring nearly 175 foreign guest artists (soloists, choirs and orchestras).

Thanks to his creativity, determination, openness to the world and, above all, dedication, he has introduced audiences here and around the world to world-renowned composers, musicians and opera singers, as well as to up-and-coming young talents from Canada and abroad. He has proudly represented the musical expertise of both France and Canada, in international competitions and by offering master classes around the world.

Even more importantly, he has supported the early careers of hundreds of artists, offering through his many creations not only in Canada but abroad, bursaries, prizes, training sessions, audition tours, concerts and engagements, worth millions of dollars.

« He carried within him a consuming passion for music and dance, and an unconditional love of opera. His generosity knew no bounds, and he devoted immeasurable energy to defending and advancing the cause of Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20, which was so dear to him, especially that of young up-and-coming artists and international cultural exchanges, right up to the time of his death.

It is with great sadness that we accept this loss. We are resolutely committed to honouring his legacy by pursuing with strength and determination the mission he so cherished, convinced that this is how we will perpetuate his dedication, » said Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20 Board Chairman, baritone Jimmy Miron.

His spare time has also been influenced by his love of the arts, whether through the creation of sculptures, murals or paintings.

« Mr. Nonat was a generous man with a passion for singing, who devoted himself tirelessly over many decades to helping young opera artists succeed. He took great pride in their professional successes; I often received words and calls from him, congratulating me on my achievements, even years after my time with the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques, » testifies baritone Hugo Laporte, laureate of the J.A.L. program.

Alain Nonat always believed that art and culture should be accessible to all. He believed in initiation, education and cultural mediation. He encouraged the training and development of talent. But first and foremost, he worked all his life to build bridges between countries, fostering the development of international relations through cultural exchanges, bringing together a strong network of partners in 27 countries.

For him, music was universal. This summer, at a Canada-China lyric concert at Montreal’s Botanical Garden, he said: « In a world that is still politically troubled, music can bring our people closer together. Singing is a means of communication that brings joy and friendship. »

« The music world mourns the loss of a great artist and person. Alain Nonat was an innovator and a mediator between the continents. His contribution to young artists is invaluable. All the artists who worked with Alain in Europe and abroad hope that the artistic work he built up over many years will have as bright a future as his past. His contribution to the promotion of young artists is invaluable, » says Jens Neundorff von Enzberg, Intendant of the Staatstheater Meiningen in Germany.

« Our friend Alain Nonat is no more. He was a passionate man who left no one indifferent. Anyone who came into contact with him knows what I’m talking about. His obstinacy, his stubbornness, his exaltation will always leave us with an enthusiastic and enlightening memory that will show us the way. He’s gone, can we believe it? I believe that for many, he still is and will remain. I remember Alain’s last words to me a few weeks ago: the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques must go on without me. Yes, we must, and each and every one of us, at our own level, must participate in the continuation of this exemplary program. Then Alain won’t really be dead, and will continue to work for the young artists he loved so much, whom we all love and who bring us together. Because through his work and his memory, it’s a whole world, a culture and values that we are defending. « Sous le dôme épais ou le blanc jasmin, Ah ! Descendons Ensemble ! » », says Jérôme Gay, President of Génération Opéra.

Among the honors he has received are the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres de la République française, the Silver Jubilee Medal of Queen Elizabeth II, the Order of the President of the Slovak Republic, a medal from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Czechoslovakia and the Gold Medal of the Lieutenant General of Quebec.

Alain Nonat’s extraordinary commitments have left their mark on the history of classical music, opera and dance over the past fifty years. Today, many of the artists supported by Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20 continue to shine on the stages of the world’s greatest opera houses and cultural institutions, international cultural exchanges continue, and children who have grown up discover music for the next generation.

Thank you Alain Nonat!

Details of the funeral ceremony will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Alain Nonat’s memory to Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20 would be appreciated.

BIOGRAPHY

Alain Nonat was born in Melun (Seine et Marne), France, in 1942. His love of singing began at an early age, when he joined the Petits chanteurs de St-François de Sales and performed as a chorist and soloist not only in France, but also on tour throughout Europe, notably in Germany, Czechoslovakia and Greece. After primary and secondary education in France at the Lycée Carnot in Paris, college studies at Salesian College in Oxford, England, and an internship with Ford in Germany, he did his French military service in the USA as a radar interpreter for NATO at Fort Bliss. From 1965 to 1967, he worked as head of the economic and financial information department at the Bank of London & South America in Paris, France.

In 1966, he began vocal studies at the École française de musique in Paris with Maria Branèze, where he won the First prize for singing prix. In 1967, Alain Nonat moved to Canada. He took a course in public relations at McGill University. He then attended the Opera Workshop of McGill University’s Faculty of Music, where he continued his vocal studies until 1970. To pursue his musical studies, he worked amongst others as a stage manager at Expo 67 for the Union des artistes and as Senior Clerk, Consumer Division at BP Canada in Montreal. He also sang in the opera choruses of the Orchestrha

He also sang in the opera chorus of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal.

After winning several first prizes, notably at the Ottawa Music Festival and the Festival de musique du Québec, he followed the recommendations of Canadian conductor Wilfrid Pelletier and returned to France in 1970 to enroll in voice and lyric art at the Conservatoire national supérieur de musique de Paris, where he won the First Prize for singing in 1973, the Second Prize in Opera and a medal in solfegio in 1974. In Canada, he worked with Bernard Diamant and pianists John Newmark and Barry Wisenfeld, as well as with Luciano Della Pergola, conductor Antonio Narduccie and Nina Narrici. In Europe, he studied with masters Jacques Jansen, Maria Branèze and Jean-Christophe Benoît in France, and with Boris Goldowsky in the USA.

During this period, he took part in national and international competitions, including the Canadian Music Competition and the Concours international de la mélodie française de Paris, where he won several prizes. He also won internships abroad and received numerous scholarships, including 2-summer scholarships from the Académie musicale internationale de Nice in France and 2-summer scholarships from the Académie musicale internationale de Zurich in Switzerland. He also studied in Munich, Germany, on a special Ministry of Culture scholarship with tenor Ernst Haefliger, who was to become his mentor.

Parallel to his musical career, he held a variety of jobs, including assistant music teacher in Beauvais, France, and animator for the Association de diffusion des Arts en Aquitaine.

From 1970 to 1982, he performed in France, Germany, Canada and the United States, and took part in a number of lyric creations and contemporary works. He has sung in concerts and productions by the École française de musique in France, the Opera Workshop of Ottawa and the McGill Opera Studio in Canada. He has sung in concerts with the Orchestre universitaire de Haute Picardi, the Orchestre de chambre Henri Bruun, the Orchestre Pasdeloup, the Orchestre du Conservatoire national de Paris, the Ensemble Renaissance Claude Gervaise and the Ensemble instrumental et vocal Hélène Rasquier in France, with the Ensemble Buxtehude in Germany, and with the Chamber Music of Franz Schubert in Canada. He has sung at the Festival Théâtre de musique et au Salon de la Ville de Montrouge, the Festival de Théâtre Lyriques du Périgord, the Théâtre musical de Dunkerque and the Théâtre du Ranelagh in Paris, France, as well as at the Southeastern Massachusetts Univesity Summer Festival in the USA. He also took part in a concert broadcast on CBC Montreal.

In 1974, he created and staged the world premiere production of Roger Frima’s Conte lyrique Kurukshetra at the Festival de Montrouge in France. He also produced and directed Darius Milhaud’s mini-opera Le Pauvre Matelot, also at the Festival de Montrouge, and presented the Japanese comic opera Kappa by Ishikata and Matsumoto.

Returning to Canada in 1975, he returned to the McGill University Opera Workshop and appeared in several productions.

In 1976, he founded Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20 in Montreal, with the support of a number of leading figures from the opera and dance worlds in Canada and France.

As a volunteer, he served as a General and Artistic Director for almost 48 years. Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20 aims to promote classical music and dance to the general public, and to support musicians and opera singers. Its principal mandate is to enhance the appreciation and discovery of opera for young and adult audiences alike, to encourage and promote up-and-coming artists from here and abroad, to foster international exchanges between artists, and to support young singers who wish to embark on an international career.

In 1976, he obtained a certificate in education from the Université du Québec à Montréal. He started out as an art teacher in a school on Montreal’s South Shore, then was hired as a music specialist teacher at the Commission scolaire Les Écores de Laval, where he remained until his retirement in 2004. He has taught at Écoles des Ormeaux, Saint-Charles, Val-des-Arbres, St-Ernest, Notre-Dame, Jean-XXIII, Fleur-Soleil, Saint-Paul and Paul-VI, among others.

From 1978 to 1980, he was dance critic for the French magazine Danse. From 1985 to 1988, Alain Nonat was Treasurer, then President of the Union française de Montréal, where he initiated the project to create a Maison de la France with the support of French businessmen.

His voluntary involvement as General and Artistic Director of Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20 and his teaching duties led him over time to quit his lyrical artistic career, but he remained deeply involved in this milieu, notably by representing Canadian and French expertise abroad in competitions and educational and cultural institutions around the world, and by creating numerous lyrical important events.

From 1991 until his death, he was a regular guest jury member at hundreds of international singing competitions in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, France, Italy, Spain, Estonia, Portugal, Belgium, South Korea, China, Russia, Mexico and Belarus.

Since 1986, he has been invited more than a hundred times to give master classes in the interpretation of French music, opera and mélodie, notably in Canada, France, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, South Korea, China, Romania, Japan and Mexico. He has notably created an interpretation program of the French lyric repertoire in China, Slovakia and Romania.

In 1992-1993, he was vice-president of the Comité français des fêtes of the 350th anniversary of Montréal. From 1993 to 1995, he was appointed in Genoa, Italy, as a member of the Permanent Council of the Association Internationale des Théâtres Lyriques, headquartered in Liège, Belgium. In July 1995, as Delegate General for Canada, he signed the first Olympic Arts Charter at UNESCO in Paris. From 1999 to 2001, he was a member of the Universal Arts Executive Council, representing Canada.

Alongside his artistic and teaching activities, he was a founder and member of organizations promoting exchanges between Canada and Europe, including :

– 1988-2022: Founder and member of L’Association pour le Resserrement des liens entre le Canada, la République Tchèque, la Slovaquie et la Pologne;

– 1988-1991: Fondateur et secrétaire général de l’Association des échanges culturels et économiques entre le Canada et la Pologne;

– 1988-1990: Member of the Sino-Québec association, whose aim was to promote Chinese dance in Canada;

– Member of the Board of Directors of the Czech North American Chamber of Commerce and Culture;

– 1992-1995: Member of the Czech Business Council of Quebec;

– 1993-1998: Founder and Vice-President of the Conseil de Commerce et de Culture Slovaque du Québec;

– 2009: Member of the Czech Business Association of Canada.

Over the years, Alain Nonat has created many important cultural events, not only in Canada, but also abroad. Here are just a few of them:

1977

Conception and presentation of an exhibition on Opera and Dance around the world at the Expo-Théâtre de Montréal, with the participation of 15 countries and a closing show with Nouvel Aire and the dance group Pomtepienu, Kino-Ksios Foreign Dance Theatre, Chambre Saidye Bronfmann Orchestra, Les Violons du Roi and singers Georges Coulombe and Micheline Dinel.

Presentation of the Bellas Artes of Mexico theater exhibition at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal.

1978

Conception of the Vie culturelle project at Laval elementary school

Conception and presentation of the International Exhibition on Opera and Dance at the Terre des Hommes Expo-Théâtre, accompanied by dance performances.

1979

Conception and presentation of an international exhibition on Opera and Dance at the Expo-Théâtre de Montréal, with the participation of 20 countries and a show featuring Les ballets Jazz de Montréal, the Eddy Toussaint dance troupe and painter Miky Hamilton.

1980

Creation and artistic direction of the Terre des Hommes Opera and Dance Pavilion on Montreal’s Île St-Hélène, with an international exhibition on dance and opera, 528 opera concerts with 86 artists and 69 days of entertainment in the summer, attracting over 150,000 visitors.

Initiation and presentation of Opera Week in the fall, with its exhibition and opera concert at Place Desjardins in Montreal.

1981

Creation and direction of the Terre des Hommes Opera and Dance Pavilion on Montreal’s Île St-Hélène, chosen by the public as the main pavilion of Terre des Hommes. It hosts 236 shows with 125 artists, including Joseph Rouleau and Robert Savoie.

Creation and artistic direction of the Terre des Hommes Youth Fridays, featuring 40 shows over two months.

Initiation and organization of the Festival de l’Opéra in shopping malls to introduce the general public to opera, with exhibitions, concerts and events, notably in Ste-Foy, Brossard, Repentigny and Longueuil.

Presentation of an international exhibition on opera around the world at the Grand Théâtre de Québec.

1982

Creation of the Atelier lyrique de Terre des Hommes at the Pavillon de la France in Montreal

Creation and artistic direction of a lyrical evening Hommage à Wilfrid Pelletier and lyrical animation of the Pavillon de la France with several Canadian lyrical artists including Joseph Rouleau, Colette Boky, Gabrielle Lavigne, Bruno Laplante, Georges Coulombe and the Chœur d’hommes de l’Opéra de Paris before an audience of nearly 3,500 people.

Concerts at the Pavillon de la France

Presentation of a Paris Opera centenary exhibition at the Tour de la Bourse on Place Victoria in Montreal.

Creation of an exhibition on opera and dance in Bulgaria at the Terre des hommes Quebec Pavilion

Responsible for lyrical animation and opera exhibition at Terre des hommes’ Quebec Pavilion

1983

Creation of an international exhibition, l’Opéra dans le monde, at the Orford Arts Centre

Organization of opera concerts at the Théâtre de l’île de Terre des Hommes

Production of a lyrical concert for Quebec’s national holiday at the Terre des hommes Olympic Basin in Montreal.

Creation of an Opera Festival with concerts and exhibitions at the Pointe-Claire Cultural Centre

1984

Creation of Pan Opera 84 (Festival of Opera in the street) at the National Arts Centre, Maison du citoyen de la Ville de Hull, in the Sussex Courtyards as part of Rues qui rient, and in the streets of Ottawa with opera in the street, with its international exhibition, concerts and entertainment.

1985

Creation and direction of the Festival de l’Opéra at the Pavillon de la France et du Québec in Terre des hommes, with an international exhibition and lyric marathons on July 1st featuring artists from Quebec including Claude Corbeil, Colette Boky, Sonia Racine, Sylvia Burla, Yves Cantin and more

Conception and presentation of an international opera exhibition in 1982 at the Pavillon du Québec

Creation of an Opera Festival at various venues across Quebec, including the Musée Laurier d’Arthabaska for one month.

1986 à 2003

Creation of the program, staging and touring of Si l’Opéra m’était conté in elementary school, as well as in Quebec cultural centers, a program to introduce young people to opera, including exhibitions, shows and activities, which has been presented to over 200,000 elementary school students across Quebec – Invitation of bass Jean-Pierre Hurteau in the first production, as well as tenor Pierre Duval

1986

Creation of a month-long opera festival and international opera exhibition at the Musée du Grand Séminaire de Sherbrooke.

1987

Creation of the Printemps musical français

Presentation of an exhibition on Maurice Ravel at the Union française de Montréal

Presentation of Si l’Opéra m ‘était conté at the Musée de la Civilisation in Quebec City

Staging in Master classes at the Orford Art Centre

1988

Presentation of an exhibition on the Kiev Opera at the Maison de la culture Marie-Uguay in Montreal

1989 à 2002

Creation of the Journées de la musique française with their competition, master classes, exhibitions and concerts. Artistic director, organizer and jury member.

Organization of concerts and master classes with guest French artists such as pianist and composer Jean-Michel Damase, musician, composer and conductor Marc Bleuze, flutist Maxence Larrieux, French horn player Georges Barboteu, violinist Jean Lenert, violist Serge Collot, sopranos Christianne Edda-Pierre and Mady Mesplé, organist Jacques Charpentier, baritone Robert Massard and numerous Canadian artists, composers and orchestras, including violinist Angèle Dubeau, trombonist Alain Trudel and trumpeter Jean-Luc Gagnon.

1990

Presentation of Si l’Opéra m’était conté at Théâtre des Arts de Laval and Centre culturel Jacques-Ferron in Longueuil

1991

Member of the executive committee of La Chine en Mouvement, presented by Arts d’interprétation Sino-Québec Performing Arts

Creation of the Rencontres musicales Québec-Europe with exhibitions and concerts

1991 à 2011

Creation of the Rencontres musicales tchèques et slovaques with their competitions, master classes, exhibitions and concerts, launched under the honorary presidency of Vaclav Havel. Artistic director, organizer and jury member.

Organization of recitals and master classes in Montreal, Ottawa and Green-Bay, Wisconsin with guest artists from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, including pianists Radoslav Kvapil, Vladimir Holy, Jan Palenka, Marian Lapsansky and Frantisek Maly, organist Alena Vesela, violinists Ivan Zenati, Adolf Sykora, György Terebesi, and Bohumal Smejkal, cellist Bedrich Havlik, baritones Ivan Kusjner and Gustav Belacek, mezzo-soprano Eva Blahova and clarinetist Vit Spilka, Jiri Kolbert and numerous Canadian artists and orchestras.

1992

Tribute to Darius Milhaud: Exhibition on Darius Milhaud and Concert with 300 musicians from the Atelier de musique contemporaine de l’Université de Montréal, McGill Chambers Winds, McGill University Harmony Orchestra, McGill University Percussion Ensemble, Orchestre symphonique des jeunes de Montréal and Orchestre symphonique du Conservatoire de musique de Montréal at McGill University’s Pollack Hall, in the presence of his wife Madeleine Milhaud.

1993

North American premiere of Darius Milhaud’s children’s opera « Le P’tit Pierre ou la sorcière au placard à balais » at the Maison des Arts de Laval, with the participation of the children and the support of the Ministère de l’éducation du Québec and the Commission scolaire de Laval.

Creation of a musical exchange program, the Rencontres musicales Québec-Europe

Presentation of a Bohuslav Martinu exhibition at the Consulate General of the Czech Republic

1994

Creation and staging of a children’s musical « Les grands artistes » by Edward Domanski

Tribute to Emmanuel Chabrier at Salle Pollack with the Orchestre du Conservatoire de musique de Montréal

Presentation of an exhibition by French painter Mireille Berrard

Artistic direction and presentation of an international lyric evening with Canadian, Polish, Slovakian, German and Italian artists at the Maison de la culture Rosemont-Petite-Patrie

Production of a concert with mezzo-soprano Eva Blahova and soprano Andrea Dankova from Slovakia and two Canadian singers in the presence of the ambassadors of Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia at the University of Ottawa’s Freeman Hall.

Organization of a tribute concert to Bedrich Smetana

Organization of a concert featuring the North American premiere of Jacques Charpentier’s Symphony No. 6 for organ and orchestra, with French organist Jacques Charpentier and the Orchestre symphonique des jeunes de Montréal

1994 to present

Creation, artistic direction and management of the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques international program, with its auditions and annual gala concert, a program dedicated to helping up-and-coming opera singers make the transition to an international career – A network of 180 partners in 27 countries; 200 young talents invited from abroad; Internships offered to nearly 200 laureates in more than 25 institutions abroad; Hundreds of artists representing Canada in international competitions; Some 50 first prizes won; More than 375 engagements around the world; More than $975,000 in travel grants.

Production of an international lyrical Christmas concert at the Maison de la culture Rosemont-Petite-Patrie

1995

Presentation of an exhibition on Czech composers and concert at Université Laval in Quebec City.

Launch of a master class in French music performance in Piestany, Slovakia

Presentation of the Slovak musical evening at the University of Ottawa

Presentation of the Soirée internationale de musique de Chambre at the Maison de la Culture Rosemont-Petite Patrie in Montreal

Presentation of the exhibition Tribute to the Czech Music at Salle Wilfrid Pelletier, Place des Arts, Montreal

1996

Creation and presentation of exhibitions of Czech composers (Martinu, Janacek, Dvorak) at Place Desjardins and concert in Quebec City

Artistic direction and presentation of a French musical evening at the Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur in Montreal with French flutist Christian Lardé, French pianist and composer Jean-Michel Damase and American pianist Boaz Sharon

Artistic direction and presentation of a Tribute Concert to Albert Roussel at the Marianopolis College Music Hall, with the quintette hétéroclite of the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal in the first half and Canadian flutist Guy Vanasse, Canadian oboist Bernard Jean and French pianist qnd composer Jean-Michel Damase in the second half.

1996-1997

Co-production of a lyric workshop l’Opéra en concert Giovani Ambasciatori Della Lirica with the Teatro Comunale di Firenze in Italy

1997

Artistic direction and presentation of an international opera concert at the Pavillon des arts de Ste-Adèle and the Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur in Montreal, with artists from Ukraine, Portugal and Canada

Presentation of an exhibition on Leos Janacek at Place des Arts

Presentation of an exhibition and Tribute to Czech Music Concert at Trois-Rivières’ Allard Rousseau Hall

1998

Presentation of a Lyric Evening in aid of Unicef, presided over by the French Ambassador, with artists from Canada, Italy, the Czech Republic and Belgium.

Artistic direction and presentation of the International Christmas Concert at Salle Jean-Eudes with 13 artists from Italy, the Czech Republic, Belgium and Canada.

Artistic direction of Antonin Dvorak’s Stabat Mater Concert at Église de Rosemont with the Grand Chœur de Montréal and soloists from Canada and abroad.

1999

Presentation of an exhibition of Slovak painters

Creation of a master class in interpretation of the French lyrical repertoire at the Leos Janacek Academy of Arts in Brno, Czech Republic

2000

Presentation of a concert as part of the Czech Cultural and Tourist Days – Exhibition paying tribute to Czech music at the Delta Hotel in Montreal

Presentation of a holiday lyric concert at the Maison de la culture Rosemont-Petite-Patrie

Presentation of an evening of Czech music by Antonin Dvorak and Bedrich Smetana with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal

2002

Launch of an interpretation class on the French lyrical repertoire at Ewomen University in Seoul, South Korea

Presentation of an exhibition on Czech composers at Complexe Desjardins in Montreal

2003

The Rencontres musicales tchèques et slovaques becomes an international event through a partnership with the University of Wisconsin at Green-Bay.

2004

Artistic direction and presentation of the International Lyric Evening at the Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur in Montreal, with artists from Canada, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and China.

Concert presentation of the Moravian Men’s Choir from the Czech Republic in collaboration with the Maison de la Culture Petite-Patrie

Launch of a master class in interpretation of the French lyrical repertoire in Beijing and Chengdu, China

Production of an evening of opera with the support of the Festival de la culture chinoise de Montréal at the Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur

2004 to date

Launch in China of the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques program and master classes in lyric repertoire interpretation.

2005

Collaboration in the creation of the Chengdu International Lyric Center

Co-production and staging of Carmen at the Lyric Performance Center of the Conservatory of Music in Chengdu, China, with Chinese, Canadian and French artists, a first in Sichuan.

Artistic direction and production of the Antonin Dvorak Tribute concert at Salle Marie-Stéphane under the honorary presidency of the Czech Consulate, with five pianists, two violinists and six singers.

2006

Organization of the first national audition of the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques in China

Launch of a program of opera interpretation of the French lyrical repertoire

Co-production of Carmen and master classes at the Brasov Opera in Romania

2007

Co-production of Carmen et les Pêcheurs de Perles at the Brasov Opera in Romania and master classes

2007 to date

Creation, artistic direction and production of the Rencontres lyriques internationales de Montréal with its thematic concerts

2008

Coproduction of Les Contes d’Hoffmann at the Brasov Opera in Romania and master classes

Concert at the Hôtel Château Versailles in Montreal, previewing excerpts from the opera Starmania with soprano Marie-Josée Lord

2009

Coproduction of Les Contes d’Hoffmann and Le Barbier de Seville at the Brasov Opera in Romania and master classes

2010

Launch of the Jeunes ambassadeurs lyriques program in Japan

Coproduction of The Marriage of Figaro and The Tales of Hoffmann at the Brasov Opera in Romania and master classes

2010 to date

Organizing concerts and concert tours in China and Japan

2011

Organization of the Orchestre symphonique des jeunes de Montréal’s tour of 9 Chinese cities with 2 Québec singers and a New Year’s Concert

Mission to Russia to launch an opera exchange program between St. Petersburg and Quebec

Presentation of an exhibition on Antonin Dvorak for the premiere of Opéra de Montréal’s Rusalka at Place des Arts

2011 to date

Launch of the Soirée lyrique consulaire, chaired each year by a consulate general (Switzerland, France, Italy, South Korea, Russia, China, Spain, Uruguay, Mexico, Germany, Poland).

2013 to date

Launch of partnership with Minsk Opera in Belarus and concerts with Canadian artists

Launch of partnership with San Miguel Opera in Mexico

Launch of partnership with Helikon Opera and Novaya Opera and concerts with Canadian singers and pianists in Moscow, Russia

2015 to date

Launch of concerts in South Korea

Summer concerts as part of the Festival d’Opéra de St-Eustache

Launch of Co-opera-tive Concert Canada Mexico, a co-production of Opera de San Miguel and Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20

2016

Francis Poulenc Evening at Ningxia University College of Music in China

2017-2018

Creation of special Montreal-Moscow concerts at the Helikon Opera in Moscow, Russia, with Russian and Canadian artists, repeated in Montreal in 2018

2019

Gala concert for the 30th anniversary of Quebec-Bavaria relations at the Regensburg Opera in Bavaria, with the participation of three Canadian and five Bavarian artists

Concert at the Shenzhen Opera in China with Canadian artists

2021

Bravissimo virtual concert with 12 Canadian artists

2023

International opera evening (Canada-France-Mexico-Germany) at the Meiningen Opera in Germany

2023 to date

China-Canada lyrical encounter at the Montreal Botanical Garden

2024

30th anniversary of the Young Lyric Ambassadors program

And much more

Awards and honours

 In 1996, he was awarded the Ordre de la reconnaissance scolaire by the Laval-Laurentides-Lanaudière school boards association, in recognition of his commitment and constant efforts to promote public schools.

 In 1991, he was decorated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Czechoslovakia for his work in promoting cultural exchanges between Canada and that country.

 In 2002, he was awarded the Order of the President of the Slovak Republic for cultural exchanges between Canada and Slovakia.

 In 2002, he was awarded the Silver Medal of the International Club of Piestany in Slovakia.

 In 2007, he was named a finalist by Quebec’s Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities for the Charles-Biddle Prize for innovative volunteer for exceptional contribution to Quebec society.

 In 2011, he was named Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture and Communications

 In 2012, he was awarded the Diamond Jubilee Medal by Queen Elizabeth II

 In 2017, he was awarded the Médaille d’or du lieutenant-gouverneur du Québec for his outstanding volunteer work

 In 2018, the City of Montreal awarded him a special decoration for his work as a volunteer in artistic innovation

Some music reviews and comments from celebrities during his operatic career

« Talented Tenor…. is leaving behind a trail of praises whenever he sings… Ottawa Journal (Ottawa-Canada)

« has the makings of an authentic dramatic tenor with impressive low notes….Alain Nonat is an artist whose development it will be interesting to follow, as he is bound to have a career that will stand out from the ordinary. » La Voix du Nord (St Quentin-France)

« Alain Nonat as Rinuccio had considerable range… » Ottawa Journal (Ottawa -Canada)

« Alain Nonat, in turn Don José and Des Grieux, knows how to sing, and he knows how to play the nobles in particular, if his Des Grieux is anything to go by… » La Presse ( Montréal-Canada)

« The voice is broad and valiant, with a seductive timbre. Alain Nonat has class and style, and is destined for a career in opera….we’ll certainly have the opportunity to talk about him again » Guide Musical -Opéra (Paris-France)

« of the singing roles I should mention the tenor Alain Nonat for the way he handled the Male Chorus »….Montreal Star (Montréal-Canada)

« offered an exemplary, lively interpretation, the voice succeeding in translating with great spirit this music so revealing of Britten’s personality » Guide Musical-Opéra (Paris-France) »

« Alain Nonat was perfect on stage, playing the role of the Sailor with intelligence, mimicking the various feelings of the hero with finesse and a rare understanding of the text and music… » Guide Musical-Opéra (Paris-France)

« A fine voice, used intelligently. Always musically expressive with an obvious understanding of the poeme and its contents in the complete Schubert cycle » Leonard Havirel

« Alain Nonat has an extended and beautiful voice of tenor which he uses with musicality and good interpretation » Edith et Luciano Della Pergola

« Has a beautiful tenor voice, he is musically very gifted and vocalizes with great ease. » Maria Branèze

« He has a great tenor voice that is heading towards young dramatic tenor and should develop further as his technique improves » Ernst Haefliger

« Excellent quality » Rose Bampton

« Beautiful voice, sings with expression and good style » James Sample

« Powerful voice, well conducted and very accurate » René Benedetti

« Beautiful quality. To be continued » Maître Wilfrid Pelletier