In Toulouse, Gabriel Bourgoin, a passionate choirmaster for a rejuvenated Capitol
Gabriel Bourgoin, a new recruit at the Théâtre du Capitole, has just been appointed permanent conductor of the choir. A title that crowns the last season, where he was still interim in this position. He is preparing for “Rusalka”, opera by Dvorak.
The Capitole Theater opens its 2022-2023 season with an opera in the Czech language, “Rusalka”, by Antonin Dvořák, scheduled from October 6 to 16, in a new staging by Stefano Poda. The choir will be directed by a 33-year-old young man, Gabriel Bourgoin, who has just been appointed head of the choir and mastery of the Opéra national du Capitole. He proved himself last season, taking over after the departure of Alfonso Caiani. He is a great recruit for the Toulouse Opera. Because this graduate of the national music conservatories of Paris and Lyon, convinced of the need to combine these skills, is also a conductor, violinist and singer. He has been the assistant of well-known conductors: Alain Altinoglu, Leonard Slatkin, Patrick Davin, Georges Pehlivanian… From now on, this musician born in Troyes is responsible for a staff of 41 choristers and two pianists.
“A wonderful step”
In Toulouse, the road seems clear for this curious, complete, passionate artist, who admits dreaming of conducting the Orchester du Capitole in concert, but wants for the moment to devote himself entirely to the choir: “This appointment represents a great step in my journey. It marks the trust and recognition that the opera gives me, and gives concrete expression to my desire to commit myself to projects on a long-term basis. I’ve moved a lot in my artistic life, and lived in quite a few cities, but I’ve only been to Toulouse once. With my partner (who is an opera singer, editor’s note), we had settled in the Gers, but we are going to get closer to Toulouse. I like the color of this city, the labyrinth side of the little streets in which you can let yourself get lost”.
The son of a music teacher and a clarinettist, the young conductor “fell into the pot” at an early age. “It was obvious very early on that I would pursue a career in music because I have always loved the instruments as much as the orchestra, the voices and the choir. The orientation towards the direction is decided around 15-18 years. It’s an environment where you grow quickly. We must quickly confront the professional market”.
His “first Wagner” in February
For “Rusalka”, the singers will not be on the set but will sing from the backstage. “There’s always a little frustration of not being on stage, but it creates a bit of a mysterious effect. The book lends itself to it. This opera resembles the story of The Little Mermaid. The great quality of the main character, sung by Anita Hartig, is the beauty of her voice. It’s romantic music, with all the Czech soul you can imagine. This production is going to be sublime…”.
The Capitole season is rich, with nuggets, starting with “La Bohème” an emblematic work by Puccini, from November 26 to December 6, where the choir will be present in all the acts and many characters. “A great moment for me will be directing the choir in Tristan and Isolde,” says Gabriel Bourgoin. This is my first Wagner”.
Among his other responsibilities, the young chef directs the Capitol Mastery. He likes to transmit his passion. In June, he was recruited by audition about sixty young people from 7 to 19 years old. Apprentice choristers who will be heard singing in “La Bohème”. “What has always fascinated me in this profession, says Gabriel Bourgoin, is the human relationship”.
Gabriel Bourgoin in a few dates
September 25, 1989, birth in Troyes (Champagne-Ardenne)
2002-2003 “The year I changed and discovered my adult voice”
2010-2018 “My years at the Music Conservatories of Paris and Lyon”.
April 2011, at the Cirque d’Hiver Bouglione. “First highlight in my career. I was Jean-Philippe Sarcos’ assistant. He let me lead 100 choristers for Carmina Burana’s encore.
Summer 2019. “One of the most beautiful trips of our lives, with my company. We left with our backpacks to discover Latin America.
June 2021. “I’m listening to a message on my answering machine. It was the director of the Théâtre du Capitole, Christophe Ghristi, who told me that he was looking for someone. A great emotion and the feeling of a turning point in life”