John Malkovich to star in baroque opera at Place des Arts

Actor John Malkovich speaks with media at the King Edward Hotel in Toronto to promote his new role as Casanova in The Giacomo Variations, Thursday, June 6, 2013. (Galit Rodan / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

American actor John Malkovich is coming to Montreal next year to perform in a baroque opera at Place des Arts.

Their Master’s Voice, an international production that premiered in 2024 in Vienna and was later staged at the Royal Opera of the Palace of Versailles, will be presented at the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier on Oct. 9, 2026.

The production will also be featured at Meridian Hall in Toronto on Oct. 7 and at Southam Hall at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on Oct. 10.

Commissioned by the Monte Carlo Opera, the production casts Malkovich—best known for playing a satirical version of himself in the 1999 film Being John Malkovich—as Nicola Porpora, a prolific composer of 40 operas and teacher to two of the most famous castrati of their era, Farinelli and Caffarelli.

Set in 1725, the opera follows Porpora and his star pupils as they explore the limits of creation, what art allows them to say or do. According to Place des Arts, the work examines the tension between expression and restraint.

Malkovich, who has appeared in more than 70 films, won a Primetime Emmy Award in 1986 for outstanding supporting actor in a miniseries or special for his role as Biff Loman in Death of a Salesman. He has also been nominated for multiple awards, including two Academy Awards and a BAFTA.

He will be joined on stage by two opera singers, an actress, baroque musicians and a 12-voice choir.

Austrian director Michael Sturminger conceived the production, which is presented by Production Martin Leclerc.

Tickets go on sale Friday on the Place des Arts website.