Jacques Arsenault

Acadian tenor Jacques Arsenault began his musical journey studying accordion in Prince Edward Island, before moving to voice. Jacques received his Masters in Music from University of Alberta, performing in a wide range of repertoire from classical opera to musical theatre.  

Jacques sang Don Curzio in Le nozze di Figaro and Third Jew in Salome with the Canadian Opera Company in 2023, and joined the band as accordionist and keyboardist in the klezmer/folk, music theatre hybrid “Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story” on tour to Saskatoon, New Brunswick, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Victoria.

This season, Jacques performs the role of Remendado in Carmen with both Edmonton Opera and Manitboa Opera. 

Jacques brought his comedic skills as the Italian opera singer Piangi to Opera on the Avalon’s Phantom of the Opera, and as Basilio in Against the Grain Theatre’s Figaro’s Wedding. Jacques also sang the role of Ambroise Lépine in Louis Riel (Somers) with the Canadian Opera Company at the National Arts Centre. 

Jacques created the role of Zahed in the 2021 world premiere of L’Orangeraie with Chants Libres in Montreal and Quebec City. He starred as Freddy in Tapestry Opera’s Bandits in the Valley, earning nominations for two Broadway World/Toronto Awards for his “standout performance… impressive combination of powerful singing, solid accordion chops… and heartfelt acting”. 

Jacques and mezzo-soprano Marjorie Maltais perform together as French Squeeze, presenting his original accordion arrangements of their favourite French songs from Canada and France, captivating audiences with recent performances in Toronto and Prince Edward Island’s Under the Spire Festival. In 2023, French Squeeze shared the stage with Cantabile Choirs of Kingston in “La Vie en Rose”.

Photo by Brent Calis