Esteemed Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan has returned to Montreal with palpable excitement, directing a compelling new adaptation of Czech composer Leoš Janáček's renowned opera, Jenufa for the Opéra de Montréal. The production debuts on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier in Place des Arts, with additional performances scheduled for November 27 and 30.
A Heartfelt Homecoming for a Celebrated Artist
While Toronto has been his home for over forty years, Montreal holds a profoundly special place in Atom Egoyan's life and career. His family first settled in the city in the early 1960s, and though they later moved to Victoria, B.C., Egoyan spent his childhood summers here with cousins in the Armenian community near de l'Acadie and Henri-Bourassa Boulevards.
His personal connections run even deeper. It was in Montreal that he met his wife, actress Arsinée Khanjian, during the casting for his debut film, Next of Kin, in the early 1980s. Reflecting on the city's vibrant culture, Egoyan recently expressed his admiration for groundbreaking Montreal artists like choreographer Édouard Lock and theatre creators Robert Lepage and Gilles Maheu, noting that being back in the city's creative space is "a thrill."
Montreal: The Launchpad for an International Career
Egoyan's film career skyrocketed thanks to a pivotal moment at the Festival du nouveau cinéma in 1987. His film, Family Viewing, earned an honourable mention, but the true turning point came when the festival's top prize winner, legendary German director Wim Wenders, was so impressed that he gifted his $5,000 cash award to Egoyan.
"That launched my international career," Egoyan recalled. The moment was surreal, though it hit a comical snag when a Toronto bank teller noticed the cheque was made out to Wim Wenders. The issue was resolved with a new cheque, but the gesture from Wenders instantly elevated Egoyan's status on the global film festival circuit.
Accessible Opera and a Packed Montreal Weekend
Egoyan's passion for opera began when he first saw Jenufa in his early twenties. He describes the production as a "super accessible story" and an ideal entry point for new opera-goers, with emotionally resonant drama and magnificent, unamplified music. The production will be led by conductor Nicole Paiement, featuring the Orchestre Métropolitain and the Choeur de l'Opéra de Montréal.
Beyond the opera, Montreal's cultural calendar is bustling this weekend. The Salon du Livre takes over the Palais des congrès, attracting nearly 100,000 visitors. The indie music festival M for Montreal showcases a wild array of artists, including The Besnard Lakes and BadBadNotGood. The Image+Nation LGBTQ+ film festival presents a steamy world premiere of the Crave series Heated Rivalry, produced by former Montrealer Jacob Tierney. For something truly unique, Divin — Le Cabaret des Fêtes du Monastère offers a Christmas circus spectacle in a downtown church.
