“Lauretta and Jonathan Gagné as Rinuccio were absolutely stellar. With clear, brilliant voices, […] their duets were a highlight of the show. […] Gagné as Rinuccio was subtle, and the contrast between the pair and the ridiculous, greedy family made them stand out well.”
– Opera Canada
Jonathan Gagné is a young lyric tenor who recently completed a master’s degree studying with John Mac Master at McGill’s Schulich School of Music. He was a finalist at the Canadian Music Competition and recipient of a second prize at the “Relève musicale de Québec” competition.
At the Opéra de Québec, he sang the roles of “André Nault” (Louis Riel) and “Borsa” (Rigoletto). With other houses, he has been “The Philistine messenger” (Samson et Dalila) at the Opéra de Rimouski, as well as the “First priest” / “First armoured man” (Die Zauberflöte) and “Ruggiero” (La liberazione di Ruggiero) at Opera McGill. As for sacred music, the young tenor sang as a soloist in both Bach’s Magnificat and first Christmas Cantata under the baton of maestro Dany Wiseman. In recent years, he performed the role of “Abdallo” in Nabucco at the Opéra de Québec and sang as a soloist in Mozart’s Requiem with Anima Musica in Montreal. He was also one of the soloists of the “Brigade lyrique” during the 2019 Festival d’opéra de Québec.
In 2019, Jonathan made his debut as “Rinuccio” in a critically acclaimed Gianni Schicchi by Puccini with Opera Mariposa in Vancouver, and also sung a “Lippo Fiorentino” loved by the audience in Opera McGill’s production of Street Scene by Kurt Weil.
In April 2022, he was the featured opera singer in a wildly successful variety show named “Les Carnavals du monde” at the esteemed “Théâtre Le Capitole” in his hometown of Québec City.
In 2023, the young tenor was “Tamino” in The Magic Flute with the Crescendo Opera Society, as well as “Strephon” in Iolanthe with North Shore Light Opera. Furthermore, Jonathan was praised as the “Cowardly Lion” in The Wizard of Oz, on the Granville Island Stage in Vancouver.
Last year, the tenor had the pleasure to perform two roles with Opera Kelowna in BC: a reprise of “Rinuccio” in Gianni Schicchi, as well as a solid debut as “Beppe” in Pagliacci.
More recently, the young artist left powerful impressions with his portrayals of “Mischa Bachinski” in the musical Ride the Cyclone and as “Ladahlord” in James and the Giant Peach.
JONATHAN GAGNÉ | Ténor 