Listen to the fabulous young ensemble of the Paris Opera singing at the Louvre Auditorium

Photo: Opéra national de Paris

So far this fall, chaos has ruled the concert calendar in Paris, as a variety of strikes and demonstrations have closed down venues -- or made them inaccessible -- with little warning. One concert that did make it was Wednesday night's presentation of the Atelier lyrique of the Opéra national de Paris at the Louvre Auditorium.

The dozen-member ensemble of operatic apprentices (plus four répétiteurs) has a season-long lineup of concerts separate from the work of the opera company. For some reason, this concert included a mix of current and past members, including 2007-2009 alumna, Calgary-born mezzo Andrea Hill.

The concert is available for free streaming on medici.tv right now.

Of the current Atelier members, I was particularly taken with Australian-born, Yale School of Music grad, bass-baritone Damien Pass, who sings four of Aaron Copland's arrangements of Old American Songs to perfection. Spanish mezzo Carole Garcia is a real powerhouse (singing songs by Frédéric Mompou).

The two-year Atelier lyrique programme was inaugurated by the previous Paris Opera general director, Gérard Mortier, in 2005. The programme's director is Christian Schirm.