Domaine Forget is preparing to announce the departure of Paul Fortin from its artistic direction, has learned The duty. A press release to this effect will be published on Thursday. Contacted, the interested party takes stock of his 11 years at the head of the Estate, which he considers now in good shape for the future.
“Appointing Marie-Nicole Lemieux as ambassador was one of my successes. She helped us a lot, she got people talking about the Domaine and her concerts were always sold out. »
If Paul Fortin leaves after 11 years, it is because reason dictates to him. “The Estate is doing very well, a new strategic plan has been put in place for the next five years, many young people have joined the company and I felt it was the right time to announce my departure. »
This is not necessarily a retirement for the one who was previously artistic administrator of the Orchester symphonique de Montréal, promoted to this task by Charles Dutoit: “I am open to any proposal; I would no doubt take mandates left and right,” said Paul Fortin at the Duty. The role of artistic director will not be filled internally; a job opening will be announced this week.
Tensions on the Academy
In 11 years, Paul Fortin has observed several mutations. Thus, it became more difficult to attract the public. Some large posters were not necessarily full. “When Orford, Forget and Lanaudière were founded, people willingly left the cities and went to concerts in these places. There, it is no longer the same thing. »
Change also in the chapter of its International Academy of Music and Dance. Although the Estate is doing very well with 700 registrations for 350 places, the environment has nonetheless changed: “Many academies have emerged left and right over the past 15 years. So competition, for students, but also for teachers, is important. 40% of the Domaine’s clientele come from the United States and 35% from Canada, the rest from Europe and very few from Asia, where the university calendar is not necessarily the same. Some classes have specificities: “In double bass, the students are almost all American, while the singing class is almost exclusively from Quebec. »
When Orford, Forget and Lanaudière were founded, people willingly left the cities and went to concerts in these places. There, it is no longer the same thing.
There are, however, academies with which the Domain cannot compete: “In Aspen, in the United States, they have an endowment fund of several hundred million. So students have full scholarships. Once there, the competition is tough. »
In 11 years, however, the Domaine’s scholarship fund has grown from $85,000 to $235,000, thanks to the “Créateur de talents” fundraising campaign led by Paul Lafleur, underlines Paul Fortin.
View of 2022
Paul Fortin did not let himself be defeated by a few disappointing gauges for upscale artists, such as pianist Till Fellner. “I wanted to keep the international aspect intact and I always looked for a connection with the Academy. So I worked hard to get great artists to agree to give masterclasses. »
On the positive side, Paul Fortin has happily witnessed the development of a real ” star system Quebecer”. “With the pandemic, last summer we had Canadian artists and filled [la salle] “, he notes.
For his last festival, that of summer 2022, under the sign of sharing, Paul Fortin proudly unveils the arrival of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who will teach at the Academy and conduct his Metropolitan Orchestra at the Domaine, with Antoine Tamestit as soloist. . “We will have a really special week and promise many more,” rejoices the artistic director.
This festival will be important to get the sequel off to a good start and pave the way for its successor. “His challenge will be the post-pandemic period. We will work hard this summer to bring everyone back. »