November 15, 2006 -

Ottawa -- The National Arts Centre (NAC) is proud to announce that the symphonic version of Starmania with the National Arts Centre Orchestra has been added to the event schedule for Quebec Scene, for one performance only: Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 20:00 in the NAC’s Southam Hall. Tickets for this mega-concert will go on sale on Monday, November 20, 2006 at 10:00.

This is the first Ottawa engagement of this amazing production, which premiered at Montreal’s Place des Arts with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, opened the 2005 Festival d’été de Québec on the Plains of Abraham with the Orchestre symphonique de Québec, and thrilled audiences at eight performances at the Palais des Congrès in Paris, France with the Orchestre de l’Opéra de Paris. The cast includes some of the brightest stars in Quebec’s vocal galaxy—soprano Marie-Josée Lord (Marie-Jeanne), young coloratura soprano Raphaëlle Paquette (Cristal), lyric soprano Lyne Fortin (Stella Spotlight), tenor Marc Hervieux (Zéro Janvier) and mezzo-soprano Renée Lapointe (Sadia)—as well as such impressive emerging talents as baritones Étienne Dupuis (Johnny Rockford) and Dominique Côté (Ziggy). Backed by a chorus, they will perform 16 numbers from the score of the original rock opera Starmania.

Written by Luc Plamondon and Michel Berger, the rock opera Starmania recently marked its 25th anniversary. The symphonic version, created to celebrate that milestone, was first performed in the fall of 2004 to a crowd of enthusiastic fans. Accompanied by a symphony orchestra, the singers perform new arrangements by acclaimed Quebec composer/arranger Simon Leclerc who has skilfully highlighted the classical elements in Michel Berger’s original songs. Maestro Leclerc will direct the NAC Orchestra in the April 28 performance; the musicians will be positioned on risers on stage, allowing the singers to move among them. Staging and costumes are by Robert Marien. In character, the singers will perform some of the most popular numbers from Starmania, including Le blues du businessman, Les uns contre les autres, La complainte de la serveuse automate, Ziggy, and Le monde est stone.

I’m absolutely thrilled to present this classic and visionary work, performed by some of Quebec’s most accomplished singers, says Heather Moore, Producer and Executive Director of Quebec Scene. It promises to be a real highlight of our Quebec Scene programme.

Part of a series of biannual festivals exploring Canada’s cultural panorama, Quebec Scene will take place in Ottawa-Gatineau from April 20 to May 5, 2007. This dazzling multi-disciplinary arts festival will celebrate Quebec’s dynamic culture: a synergy of the old and the new, of traditions and new technologies, of established and emerging artists. The festival will provide a unique showcase for over 700 participating artists, introducing them to new audiences both at home and abroad and to more than 80 arts presenters and producers from around the world.

The National Arts Centre Foundation gratefully acknowledges the support of Major Sponsors Enbridge and Gaz Métro, and Program Sponsors Casino du Lac-Leamy and Borden Ladner Gervais LLP.

Media partners are CBC/Radio-Canada, Gesca Limitée (notably through La Presse, Le Soleil and Le Droit), and National Post.

Government partners are the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Government of Quebec through the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, and the Canada Council for the Arts.

The NAC Foundation also extends a warm thank you to the National Arts Centre Friends – Quebec, a committed group of individuals and corporations who understand the need to support arts and culture, especially Quebec artists. Guy Pratte, Chair of the NAC Foundation Board of Directors, is particularly pleased to announce that Yves and Carol Fortier have graciously agreed to act as Honorary Presidents of the NAC Friends – Quebec.

For more information about Quebec Scene, please consult the event website at www.quebecscene.ca.

Quebec Scene presents Symphonic Starmania in the NAC’s Southam Hall, Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 20:00. Ticket prices are $35, $45, $55 and $65 (students $18.75, $23.75, $28.75 and $33.75, on presentation of valid student ID). Tickets on sale at the NAC Box Office (in person only), by mail or by fax to (613) 947-7112 (a service charge of $3 per ticket applies on mail and fax orders); or through Ticketmaster: at all Ticketmaster outlets, by telephone (613-755-1111), or online through the Quebec Scene website, www.quebecscene.ca (a service charge applies to all Ticketmaster purchases)

Groups or 10 or more save up to 20% off regular ticket prices to all NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances! For information and reservations, call (613) 947-7000, ext. 384 or e-mail grp@nac-cna.ca.

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For more information, please contact:
National Arts Centre
Mary Gordon
(613) 947-7000, ext. 524
mgordon@nac-cna.ca

Quebec Scene
Chantal Dufresne
(514) 844-9554
commdufresne@videotron.ca