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The Canadian bass-baritone, Philippe Martel, began his musical training with the Maîtrise des petits chanteurs de Québec; The he decided to study something serious at university; he obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Maarketing from the Université Laval and then went to the École supérieure de commerce de Rouen in France. Back home, he abandoned the sensible path and registered at the Cégep Sainte-Foy in music. He then moved to Montréal - which he secretly prefers to his former home, Quebec City - where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Voice Performance from McGill University (1999-2003). He performed there several roles including the Commander in Don Giovanni by W.A. Mozart and King Cadmus in Semele by George Frideric Handel.
Philippe Martel is pursuing a successful career freelance singer since April 2000 in several styles from oratorio to opera. The high quality of his singing and his legendary work ethic have made him one of the most sought-after of professional choristers. He regularly performs as a soloist with various ensembles and with the Opéra de Montréal. He has also performed the roles of Colline in La Bohème, Publius in W.A. Mozart's La clemenza di Tito and the titler role in W.A. Mozart's Don Giovanni, among others. He has also been heard in several oratorios, including the Passions of J.S. Bach, the Requiems of W.A. Mozart and Gabriel Fauré and G.F. Handel's Messiah, among many others. He performed Messe du Couronnement by W.A. Mozart as well as Mass in B minor (BWV 232) by J.S. Bach. He has been singing for many years with La Chapelle de Québec (Les Violons du Roy) and the Studio de Musique Ancienne de Montréal. He has provided the vocal foundation of the Quartom quartet since 2008.
Philippe Martel recently sang soloist for the Studio de Musique Ancienne de Montréal in a work of Campra and debuted at the Opéra de Montréal in Gianni Schicchi by Puccini. He also participated in the Opera L’eau qui danse, created by the Chants Libres organization. He has recently been heard on Espace musique and CBC radio in the Mass in B Minor (BWV 232) by J.S. Bach with Ensemble Caprice (Director: Matthias Maute). He also sings on the recent CD of the ensemble Salsa Baroque. In 2011, he appeard again at the Opéra de Montréal in Salome by Richard Strauss. He is also a founding member of Quartom quartet. He currently lives in Montréal, Québec, Canada. |
