An accomplished clarinetist as well as a singer, baritone Steven Bélanger is a graduate of Queen’s University (BMus, BA) and McGill University (MMus). He has performed with ensembles of all sizes and genres across Canada including the Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal (SMAM), Les Violons du Roy and La Chapelle de Québec, Opéra de Montréal, VivaVoce and the Canadian Chamber Choir. He has also appeared as soloist with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM), the McGill Baroque Orchestra, Voix Libres, Le Choeur du Vieux-Montreal, Les Grands Ballets canadiens de Montréal, the Kingston Symphony Orchestra, the Queen’s University Symphony Orchestra, the Quinte Symphony and the Grand River Chorus.
Recent solo engagements include Opera After Hours’ debut production of Dido and Aeneas, a German Baroque programme with the Victoria Baroque Players, Christmas in Bach’s Leipzig with the Early Music Society of the Islands under the direction of Jeanne Lamon, and Carmina Burana with the Prince George Symphony Orchestra. Upcoming engagements include the lead role in a concert presentation of Lloyd Burritt’s new opera, Miracle Flight 571.
Steven has appeared at music festivals across North America including the Montreal Baroque Festival, the Festival international de Lanaudière, the Montreal/New Music International Festival, Festival Vancouver, the Lamèque International Baroque Music Festival in New Brunswick and the Festival Internacional Cervantino in Mexico. He has participated in over a dozen recordings for such labels as Decca, ATMA, Naxos and Centrediscs, and has recorded music for television as well as for Cirque du Soleil. Of particular note is the Naxos Early Music recording The Complete Magnificats of Pierre de la Rue which was awarded the “Choc du mois” by Le Monde de la musique in France.
A passionate devotee of early music, Steven was thrilled to be invited to participate in the National Theatre School of Canada’s 2001 production of Sabina Berman’s Molière, playing the role of Jean-Baptiste Lully as well as providing musical accompaniment on period instruments. An equal interest in new music has also led him to take part in a workshop on contemporary vocal music at Domaine Forget under the direction of Rachid Safir.
Locally, Steven has performed with Early Music Vancouver, the Vancouver Cantata Singers, the Erato Ensemble and the Laudate Singers. He is also a founding member of Stellaria, Vancouver’s new professional vocal ensemble devoted to the music of the Renaissance and Baroque eras.