In collaboration with the Casino de Montréal, and jointly benefitting
Moisson Montréal and the Opéra de Montréal
Montreal, January 19, 2016 – The Opéra de Montréal is delighted to present the very first edition of an annual benefit event—MARDI GRAS—, which will take place on Tuesday, February 9, starting at 7:30 pm, at the Cabaret du Casino de Montréal. A spectacular evening benefiting both Moisson Montréal and the Opéra de Montréal.
The theme: a topsy-turvy Mardi Gras. Montreal will finally have its Mardi Gras, joining a global tradition in which the ultimate goal is celebration. This is the first event of its kind in Montreal, and we hope to make it an annual tradition! MARDI GRAS—a festive experience that is in keeping with the image of opera as a complete, absolute, comprehensive art form… making for a total artistic event. Larger-than-life characters from the repertoire’s great operas will come to life and join in on the festivities in a luxurious atmosphere with an emphasis on excess, filled with culinary surprises. Throughout the evening, guests will enjoy original cocktails and bubbly to enhance the celebration. This will also be an ideal opportunity to meet people from the business community, and to network in an original setting.
The event will bring experts from the fields of gastronomy and entertainment into its topsy-turvy world. Guests will sample culinary delights created by Jean-Pierre Curtat, Executive Chef of the Casino de Montréal. With their taste buds more than satisfied, attendees will also admire dazzling costumed characters and extravagant sets from the Opéra de Montréal, with Circo de Bakuza on hand to wow the crowd with a sound and light show. And of course, no MARDI GRAS would be complete without a VJ and DJ on hand all evening long.
Tickets, on sale at $500, are available now via the Opéra de Montréal’s website. All funds raised at the event will go to the Moisson Montréal organization and towards supporting the activities of the Opéra de Montréal.
Info: www.operademontreal.com/mardi-gras
Opéra de Montréal
Founded in 1980 and based in Montreal, the Opéra de Montréal is one of the largest opera companies in North America. Last year, close to 50,000 spectators made their way through the doors at the Opéra de Montréal, administered by General Director Pierre Dufour and Artistic Director Michel Beaulac. Its season is made up of four operas, a production by the Atelier lyrique, and several outreach activities. The Opéra is a key player in the city’s economic, cultural, and social development, as each season, it maintains working relationships with over 360 local businesses, and hires no less than 800 artists and craftspeople. Close to 80% of the artists appearing at the company are Canadians.
About Moisson Montréal
A non-profit organization founded in 1984, Moisson Montréal is today the largest food bank in Canada. Through its centre for collecting, sorting and distributing emergency food assistance, the organization allocates nearly 1,000 tons of food per month to close to 250 accredited community organizations on the Island of Montreal. In turn, these organizations provide food assistance to 146,000 people, including close to 34,000 children between the ages of 0 and 5. Moisson Montréal receives funding and supplies mainly through donations. Its operations require the collaboration of nearly 8,000 volunteers each year and result in the redistribution of about 13 million kilos of foodstuffs, representing a total value of close to $61 million. Moisson Montréal has won two awards for its Food Recovery Program in Supermarkets: the 2015 Corporate Citizenship (Supply category) award from Novae, and the Élixir (Coup de Coeur category) prize from PMI. For additional information: www.moissonmontreal.org.
About the Casino de Montréal
Well-known for its variety of games and excellent customer service, the Casino de Montréal welcomes close to 6 million visitors every year. It offers a wide range of entertainment options—shows, restaurants, bars, a multimedia environment—in an emblematic architectural setting.
-30-
Source: Opéra de Montréal
Information: Guillaume Thérien, Marketing Director, Opéra de Montréal
gtherien@operademontreal.com, 514 985-2222, extension 2226