Portrait Lucie St-Martin, soprano

LUCIE ST-MARTIN, SOPRANO
ATELIER LYRIQUE 2020-2023

Text : Véronique Gauthier

Photos : Marianne Charland

On completing high school, it was obvious to everyone, including herself, that Lucie St-Martin was headed for studies in musical theatre. She opted instead to take the avenue of classical singing and will be finishing her program with the Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal this year. What explains her decision? How does the love of acting and opera singing coexist for this passionate performer?

An interview with this vibrant, adventurous, and multifaceted woman and artist!

An unexpected stroke of passion

Lucie was introduced to the arts at the age of 11. While soccer appealed to her far more than the stage at the time, the youngster decided to tag along with her two best friends and attend L’Artishow, a performing arts day camp in Gatineau. Against all her expectations, it was love at first sight. “It was like receiving a shot of heroin: I was hooked!” She begged her parents “weeping, as if my very life was at stake,” to continue her training in the fall. She kept on until the end of high school.

It was via The Phantom of the Opera that this musical theatre lover opened up to the world of opera singing. “My teacher afterwards made me a CD of famous opera arias, and I would listen to it on repeat in the car. Something clicked and it occurred to me that I could first study classical singing and then after, I would go to Broadway. That was my plan.”

This plan took her to Vincent-d’Indy, where she auditioned without any knowledge of music theory, having learned her aria by ear. “I didn’t know a thing about opera, I had massive impostor syndrome that stuck with me into my subsequent studies at the Conservatory. I was so behind everyone else!”

During the last year of her master’s at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, Lucie was offered a role in a production of The Phantom of the Opera. The opportunity was too great to pass up, to be part of this work through which her love of singing, theatre and opera was born, so she left the classroom to fulfill her dream. “I started with the Atelier lyrique right after. I’ve been very fortunate!”

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An actor who sings

A love of acting has always been part of who this performer is, and even defines her essence. “It’s my signature. It’s what enabled me to attend CEGEP at Vincent-d’Indy without knowing how to sight-read, then study at the Conservatory, and it’s still what sets me apart today. Most singers arrive with a background in choral singing or musicals, but I had done theatre and improv. It gives me a different sort of verve.”

Still, for a long time this leading lady viewed her singularity as an impairment. “I had a huge complex relative to other singers I met. I felt a bit like an odd creature. But more and more, I am owning the fact that this is who I am, that I am different from the others, but I am not lesser than the others. My difference is also where my strength lies. The Atelier helped me a lot with that!”

Helping the artist to grow into herself

While in Lucie’s mind, getting involved in musical theatre projects placed her in the precarious position of being cast out of the classical world forever, surprisingly, it was the team at the Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal that removed her blinders and widened her field of possibilities in this respect.  

“I had this impression that the classical domain might readily label me if I ventured anywhere else, and I would never sing Mozart again. But with the Atelier, it was the opposite, they encouraged me, they supported me, they said, ‘Go ahead, do your projects, do musicals, do theatre!’ Everyone is so caring and human here, nobody wants to turn you into a product that fits a certain mould. They provide you with an environment that fits you, one that is nurturing of your development, of what you are. They’re so attentive!”

Today, this artist recognizes she is not just one-dimensional, and that this multifaceted approach is what fulfills her. “In a competition, I’ll sing Massenet, Kurt Weill, and songs from musicals, and I feel great about it. The Atelier was right. I won’t just be doing Mozart. But I’ll do some of that too because it’s incredibly beautiful!”

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Defining encounters and experiences

In connection with the concert Emily, based on the life of poet Emily Dickinson, Lucie had the chance to attend a talk given by its creators Johnathan McCullough and Christopher Allen. It was a defining moment for the young artist. “What kept coming back to me in their words was that in 2023, we need to diversify our projects. To create and get off the beaten track. These two people arrived at just the right moment along my path, consistent with where I want to go.”

Performing the lead role in Ravel’s L’Enfant et les sortilèges was also a highlight of her journey. “It’s really an acting role, and I loved working with director Sylvain Scott. It was a wonderful artistic and human experience.”

Whether in terms of technique and musicianship with Ariane Girard and Esther Gonthier or mental preparation for performance with Sieger Roorda, this soprano has nothing but praise for the team that guided her during the past three years. “The Atelier wants us to do well, and you feel that it’s genuine. Ariane had me take giant steps in my technique, and it’s nothing like when I arrived. I definitely feel more like I know what I’m doing. A lot of things fell into place, psychologically, mentally, and technically.”

A next chapter to discover … and to build!

How is the singer feeling now, at the end of her time in the program? “It changes from one day to the next. Right now, I feel like I’m on a good vibe. I feel motivated to do my projects, to do more theatre and musical theatre.”

Will she keep in touch with the Atelier, amid her contracts and biking trips? “Absolutely! I know they will be there for what is to come, and that I can always reach out when I want to.” The same goes for Sue Wehner, her sponsor at the Atelier lyrique, who fostered a valuable and very caring relationship. “She is a lovely woman, so kind, who made a definite impact on my journey. I could not have had it better! I will keep in touch with her for sure.”

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