CENTRE VOCAL FRANCAIS
Music Director: Emmanuel Plasson
Pianist: Boram Ahn
CENTRE VOCAL FRANCAIS is a new educational and cultural organization established in 2024 with the mission of celebrating and promoting French vocal music. Our work is centered on two key pillars:
EDUCATION
In collaboration with Centre Bagatelle Berlin
(https://www.centre-bagatelle.de), we offer
masterclasses and training programs designed
for singers eager to explore the French vocal
repertoire. Under the guidance of renowned
French conductor Emmanul Plasson, our diverse
programs (masterclasses, workshops, coachings)
provide invaluable opportunities to improve the
interpretation of arias and art songs, prepare roles
in the French language. Our upcoming weekend-
masterclass and performance in April 2025 will be
announced soon.
PERFORMANCE AND CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
We are dedicated to providing performance
opportunities for professional singers to refine
their artistry and celebrate the richness of French
opera and vocal music. Each year, we collaborate
with a diverse range of professional singers from
various backgrounds and experience levels to
produce high-quality performance events at
venues across Berlin. Our mission is to share
this exceptional repertoire with diverse and
enthusiastic audiences, fostering a deeper
appreciation for French musical traditions.
As we begin our inaugural season, we are delighted to announce our first official performance event in January 2025
Highlights from LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN by Jacque Offenbach.
The performance will feature highlights from the opera, performed by our
9 artists at Centre Bagatelle in Frohnau, a venue celebrated for its dynamic cultural scene and enthusiastic public.
We look forward to building a vibrant community of artists and enthusiasts of French vocal music through our programs and events. Stay tuned for more updates and opportunities from Centre Vocal Français.
For inquiries and information, please contact us at centrevocalfrancais@gmail.com
“During our collaboration, Maestro Plasson not only conveyed an impeccable understanding of Massenet’s score but also inspired with his passion and expertise. His ability to demand technical precision in service of emotional resonance elevated our performance to a level of artistry I could be very proud of… I also highly recommend Maestro Plasson’s New Academy of French Music. Given his exceptional skills and passion for teaching and collaboration, I’m confident that his academy will be a remarkable platform for emerging artists to learn, grow, and excel in the world of French music.”
-Lara Secord, Soprano
“Maestro Plasson’s profound understanding of French music traditions, along with his dedication to excellence, created an unforgettable experience of both studying and working. Maestro Plasson’s approach to French diction was intelligent, making even the most challenging aspects feel effortless.
… Beyond his musical prowess, Maestro Plasson’s leadership and interpersonal skills fostered a collaborative and respectful environment. His enthusiasm and encouragement inspired us to strive for greatness.
-Hanxiao Wang, Soprano
Musical Team
Emmanuel Plasson, conductor
Emmanuel Plasson is considered one of the first ambassadors of French music in a dazzling career in both the symphonic and opera repertoire. Maestro Plasson made his North American debut in 1997, leading the Royal Ballet of Covent Garden on tour, including performances at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. Consequently, he was immediately invited to be assistant conductor at the Metropolitan Opera for the next two seasons (for productions of Manon and Carmen). Maestro Plasson was Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of Hawaii Opera until April 2020. He made his debut there in 2016 with Verdi’s Trovatore and was immediately invited back to conduct Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet. He was also music director of the Middlebury Opera House in Vermont for 5 years. He most recently directed a production of Mireille by Gounod with the Opera Du Grand Sud company and a very successful concert with the Gottingen Symphony Orchestra in Germany. Among his future projects in 2024, a production of Salome (with piano accompaniment) and Dialogue Des Carmelites, both productions being presented by the group Kollaborativ from Berlin.
