Obituary: Alain Nonat Founder & General & Artistic Director of Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20 Passes Away

Tenor Alain Nonat, as well as general and artistic director and founder of Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20, passed away at the age of 82.Nonat was known for his passion and dedication to the arts. Throughout his career, he taught music and voice, directed concerts, produced children’s operas, and performed as soloist and chorister.

For over 48 years he served as the volunteer general and artistic director of Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20. His work was a catalyst for hundreds of artists, including Canadian talent, who today continue to perform on opera stages and in the world’s most prestigious cultural institutions.Nonat believed in the democratization of classical music, opera, and dance for the general public – a belief that inspired him to create Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20.

The organization worked with opera companies throughout Canada including the Pavillon de l’Opéra et de la Danse at Terre des hommes, Pan-Opera 84, the Festival de l’Opéra, Si l’Opéra m’était conté, the Journées de la musique française, the Rencontres musicales grecques et slovaques, the Rencontres musicales Québec-Europe, the Rencontres lyriques internationales de Montréal, and the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques. In all, Nonat has organized over 40 auditions, as well as more than 50 galas, worked with nearly 200 directors, conductors and other representatives of invited cultural organizations.He has also designed and curated more than 50 exhibits on classical music, opera and dance, presented several hundred times, amassing over the years an important collection on classical music, opera and dance.

In addition, it has produced over 3,500 classical music and opera concerts and dance performances, several thousand animation workshops, and presented over 60 master classes, featuring more than 175 foreign guest artists and several choirs from abroad. Of the 3,500 artists taking part in activities, in addition to choirs and orchestras, over 580 are laureates of the Jeunes ambassadors lyriques program.In addition to his career as an 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 fête of the 350th anniversary of Montréal, and dance critic for the French magazine Danse.

For his work, Nonat was awarded many prestigious honors such as the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres de la République française, Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, Order of the President of the Slovak Republic, and the Gold Medal of the Lieutenant-General of Quebec, to name but a few.Nonat passed away in Montreal on Dec. 31, 2024 at the age of 82, surrounded by his family.

The funeral will take place on March 29, at Saint-Édouard Church in Montreal. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20.The post Obituary: Alain Nonat Founder & General & Artistic Director of Théâtre Lyrichorégra 20 Passes Away appeared first on OperaWire.

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