Eric Vivion-Grandi
Ténor lyrique

( La biographie d’Eric Vivion-Grandi est aussi disponible en français.)

Eric VIVION-GRANDI is French, was brought up in the South of France and has Italian grandparents.

He has followed a career as a lyrical tenor in France and on the international scene. He triumphed in the roles of:

Edgardo in Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor in Italy (Mantova)

Alfredo in Verdi’s La Traviata in Italy (Mantova)

Don José in Bizet’s Carmen in Russia (Opera House of Magnitogorsk),Germany,Austria,Switzerland,Romania. He has performed more than 20 times this role of Don José including 10 times at the "Opera Viva" International Festival in Obersaxen (Chur) in Switzerland.

Arnoldo in Rossini's Guglielmo Tell (He has performed this very difficult role of 10 times at the "Opera Viva" International Festival in Obersaxen) in Switzerland

Riccardo in Verdi's Un Ballo in Maschera in Austria, Germany, Switzerland,Romania

Manrico in Verdi's Il Trovatore in Germany,Austria,Switzerland,Bulgaria.

Gualtiero in Bellini's Il Pirata (an extremely demanding role which he sang 13 times over a period of 50 days, including twice in succession on 3 occasions) in Germany (Landestheater Niederbayern Opera Houses in Passau, Landshut, Straubing)

Idreno in Rossini's Semiramide at the "Opera Viva" International Festival in Obersaxen (Chur) in Switzerland.

Ismael in Verdi's Nabucco, in Italy (Parma)

Fortunio the title role of Messager’s, in Switzerland at the Fribourg Opera House, in France at the Opera Houses of Dijon and Besançon

Orphée the title role of Gluck’s in Orphée et Eurydice, in the French version,  where he replaced at the last moment the singer, in Germany (Festival Oper in Starnberg)

Angelo in Bécaud’s L’Opéra d'Aran in France (Colmar)

Ottavio in Mozart’s Don Giovanni in France (Montreuil)

(Normano)  Lucia di Lammermoor at the Toulon Opera House in France,at the beginning of his career

(Borsa) Rigoletto at the Opera Houses of Marseille, Nantes and Angers in France , at the beginning of his career

He represented France in St. Petersburg , Russia, when he performed the French national anthem "La Marseillaise" and "Le Chant du Départ" with the National Military Orchestra at the First World War Remembrance Ceremony at the International Festival of Singing of the City of St. Petersburg

He performed 4 lyrical concerts in France (Alsace) with the internationally renowned pianist François-René Duchable.

 

 

He has been showered with praise by both national and foreign press for each of his performances :

• "Alfredo Germond, impersonato dal bravissimo tenore Eric Vivion !"
  La Gazzetta di Mantova
• "A communion heightened by the sublime performance of tenor Eric Vivion. An incredible voice and presence... A finale which sent the audience into raptures, intoxicated with joy! Eric Vivion has just returned from a tour in Italy where he met with a resounding success. And with the audience at the Sacred Art Festival, he shared a few moments of unadulterated musical pleasure."
  Sacred Art Festival, Ariège, 12 June 2011, La Dépêche du Midi.
• "Eric Vivion offers such a convincing 'Tombe degli avi miei' by Donizetti from Lucia di Lammermoor. A blend of gravity, ardour and prayer. This man standing alone in this enormous building, armed solely with his voice – simply breathtaking !"
  Lyric concert in Sélestat, 12th March 2011, L’Alsace
• "Eric Vivion is a tenor of tremendous stature... He is poignant, intoxicating, and declaims Pablo Sorozabal’s 'No puede ser' with such passion and sensitivity... The audience is on its feet with the sheer joy of it. Fantastic!"
  L’Alsace
• "In the footsteps of Pavarotti, Eric Vivion’s remarkable tenor voice."
  Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace
• "Eric Vivion launches into the extract from Rigoletto. The Duke of Mantua’s air 'Ella mi fu rapita' resounds throughout the abbey church. The lyrical tenor, totally at ease, vibrant and alive, casts a spell over his audience. Feelings explored/exposed gain ascendance, leaving no-one untouched."
  L’Alsace
• Glanzvoller Belcanto der Passauer "Piraten"
  "...Einen überwältigenden Erfolg verzeichnete die Premiere von Vincenzo Bellinis Oper "Die Piraten" (1827) am Samstag in Passau. Das Landestheater Niederbayern hatte zur Realisierung dieses romantischen Liebesdramas Gastsänger aus bedeutenden Opernhäusern eingeladen, die mit Spitzenleistungen des Belcanto das Publikum begeisterten"..."Für den französisch-italienischen Tenor Eric Vivion-Grandi schien es in der Rolle des Piraten Gualtiero keine Stimmgrenzen nach oben zu geben." Rudolf Leßky, Neues Volksblatt, 2 December 2013
• "Dass Eric Vivion-Grandi (Gualtiero) die als beinahe unsingbar bekannte Partie, die Bellini für den berühmten Drei-Oktaven-Tenor Giovanni Battista Rubini geschrieben hatte,überhaupt übernommen hat,ist ihm sehr zu danken. Er bewältigte sie mit Stilgefühl,Höhensicherheit und Durchhaltevermögen."Helga Schmöger IBS Journal-Die Münchner Opernfreunde 2/2014
• Landshut « Il Pirata » 12 January 2014 « Als nahezu unsingbar gilt seit jeher die nicht minder komplizierte Tenorpartie. Der Komponist hatte sie seinem Starsänger Giovanni Battista Rubini in die Kehle geschrieben, dessen Stimme mühelos mehrere Oktaven umfasste und zu legendären Intervallsprüngen befähigt war. Vor diesem Hintergrund bewältigte Eric Vivion-Grandi (Gualtiero) seine Aufgabe mit bewundernswertem Durchhaltevermögen, klar fokussierter Extremhöhe und mehr als respektabler Gesangskultur… Wenn ein Opernensemble, das zu den leinsten der Republik zählt, ein derart anspruchvolles Werk mit so viel künstlerischer Überzeugungskraft und aufwühlender Intensität zu stemmen vermag, verdient dies höchste Anerkennung. » J-M Wiencke, Das Opernglas, March 2014

• « …Der in Südfrankreich geborene  Tenor  Eric Vivion-Grandi sich in die Rolle binnen kürzester Zeit aneignete – auch das stellt sich nun , nach der Premiere in der Schlossberhalle, als Segen heraus .Sein Orpheus ist geradezu herzzerreissend. Was für ein Moment, wenn er niedersinkt und zum zweiten Mal um seine Eurydike trauert. » Merkur Oper in Starnberg

• Der italienisch-französische Sänger Eric Vivion-Grandi (Orpheus) sprang kurzfristig ein, seine Darstellung leidet drunter nicht. Ehrlich, nicht überzogen gibt er das pathetische Liebesleid des Künslers, zeigt seinen Schmerz, rührt » Andreas M.Bräu  Opernetz

• « …Schliesslich gelang es dem Dirigenten un seinem Team doch, den rictigen Mann zu finden : Eric Vivion-Grandi (Orpheus). Der Franzose musste die Partie in einer Woche von Nul auf lernen. Eine wahnsinnige Leichtung und ein Ausdruck grösster Nerven stärke …» Süddeutsche Zeitung
• etc...
  

 

Eric Vivion is the winner or a finalist in several international competitions:

• La Bohème International Opera Competition at the Teatro Borgatti in Cento (Ferrara) Italy,
• International Opera Competition and Festival with MEZZO TV Hungary,
• 7th International Operetta and Zarzuela Competition in Marseille,
• 7th International Lyrical Contest in Gascogne.

 

Eric Vivion-Grandi’s career

 

As a young artist, he studied music, piano, choir and orchestra conducting, theatre arts and singing at the Conservatoire where he was awarded the distinction of First Prize in Singing. He has perfected his art through Master Classes and encounters with Franco Corelli, Joan Sutherland, Massimo Pradella, Alain Vanzo, Gian Koral, Hélia Thézan, Michele Pertusi, Thierry Dran, Magali Damonte, Francesco Facini, Massimo Morelli, Jacques Chalmeau, Gustav Kuhn, Mauro Trombetta, Giuseppe de Tomasi, I.Brook, P. Barrat, A. Lühr, C. Harmuch and R. Ackermann to name but a few, and also Claude Sélig, Irmel Stengel, Henrik Siffert, Robert Dumé, Frantz Pétri, Philippe Kahn etc.

 

Eric Vivion also gave solo performances and Concerts Gala with great success and with the:

Orchestra Sinfonica del Teatro Verdi de Buscoldo di Curtatone Mantova, Italy,in December 2010 with works by Donizetti (Lucia di Lammermoor) and Ponchielli (La Gioconda). And in May 2011 for the 150th anniversary of the founding of the State of Italy performing works by Verdi (La Traviata, Rigoletto, I Lombardi, Un Ballo in Maschera) and again in July 2011 with works by Donizetti (Lucia di Lammermoor) and Verdi (Macbeth, Nabucco).

Symphony Orchestra of Opera of Magnitogorsk in Russia during a Gala Concert with works by Verdi (Rigoletto) and Puccini (Turandot).

Philharmonic Orchestra of International Festival "Opera Viva" in Obersaxen and Chur in Switzerland with works by Donizetti (Lucia di Lammermoor),Verdi (I Lombardi alla prima crociata) and Puccini (Turandot),

Philharmonic Orchestra of Opera House of Brasov (Romania) in Austria, Germania, Romania,Switzerland with works by Verdi (Rigoletto, Traviata,Il Trovatore, Un Ballo in Maschera),Puccini (Turandot;Tosca), Verdi (Traviata;Rigoletto),Bizet (Carmen)and Neapolitan Songs.

Philharmonic Orchestra of Opera House of Ruse (Bulgaria) in Austria, Germania,Bulgaria,Switzerland with works by Verdi (Traviata),Puccini (Turandot;Tosca) and Neapolitan Songs.

 

 

Performances at Festivals

 

He has sung as a solo artist in concerts on a number of continents, including Europe, the United States of America, Canada, Africa and Russia and in prestigious Festivals.

The Ariège Sacred Art Festival where he has been invited back repeatedly over the last 16 years:

"Eric Vivion has just returned from a tour in Italy where he met with a resounding success. And with the audience at the Sacred Art Festival, he shared a few moments of unadulterated musical pleasure… If tenor Eric Vivion is here again, it is thanks to the persistent demand of the Festival’s loyal fans… The packed audience can never thank him enough." La Dépêche du Midi.

"The 19th Festival of Sacred Art came to a close with a grand finale. For Eric Vivion, each appearance is truly captivating, confirming the fullness and mastery of his art." La Dépêche du Midi.

"Eric Vivion rewarded the audience with a scoop by majestically performing two-thirds of Bellini's Il Pirata. A first performance that augurs a triumphant success considering his performance in Bas Salat." La Dépêche du Midi (May 2013)

"As for the tenor, Eric Vivion, his performance was pure enchantment. Everyone enjoyed the fullness and mastery of his artistic talent, a remarkable voice and presence displaying a magnificently eclectic repertoire." La Dépêche du Midi (June, 2014)

"Between two international tours, the tenor Éric Vivion found time to drop into Couserans. This year, he chose to interpret excerpts from Georges Bizet’s comic opera Carmen, one of the most performed operas in the world. He played the role of Don José. And playing opposite him was the mezzo-soprano from Toulouse, Marie Cubaynes, in the role of the dark-haired cigarette-maker, Carmen. They were accompanied by the talented pianist Mishka Roth. Their performance was an absolute delight and everyone was able to enjoy their perfect vocal command and their talent as actors. The festival closed on a note of emotion and communion between the artistes and the audience. A grand musical dream where everyone was in raptures thanks to the talent of these artistes.” La Dépêche du Midi (June 2015)

etc...

 

Unanimously hailed, over the past few years he has performed in lyrical recitals at Festivals such as...

• The Sacred Art International Festival in Ariège and Couserans where he performed 16 times to great acclaim,
• The Trie sur Baïse Festival in October 2011,
• The Déodat de Séverac Festival,
• the International Organ Academy at Issenheim with Michel Chapuis, Andrea Maccinanti and Vincent Warnier,
• Les Voies Mozart in the frame of the composer’s 250th anniversary celebrations under the aegis of the Council of Europe and the Bas-Rhin General Council,
• the International Organ Festival in Colmar and Thann,
• Les Journées de Lagraulet with L. Vaduva,
• the Valmagne Abbey Festival,
• the Concerts of Albi Cathedral,
• Jazz in Alsace with M. Hausser and his Trio (works by Gershwin),
• the World Music and Dance Festival in St Mandrier sur Mer in 2005, 2007 and 2010,
• "Les Heures Musicales d’Ebersmunster" Festival in 2005, 2007, 2010 and 2015,
• Lyrical Concerts and Shows in Alsace in the most renowned theatres and festivals in the region
• a lyrical concert with the Brives Symphony Orchestra etc.

 

In April 2010, he performed with tremendous success in lyrical gala concerts and shows accompanied by an orchestra during cruises around Africa and the Mediterranean. He also brilliantly performed Brückner’s Te Deum at the Strasbourg Music and Conference Hall, and the Messe Solennelle de Sainte Cécile by Gounod and Mozart’s Coronation Mess in Colmar.

From 1991 to 1997, with the Maîtrise de Colmar (Artistic and Musical Director : Arlette Steyer), he has sung at a number of prestigious festivals including Geneva, Ambronay, Ile-de-France, Ribeauvillé, Strasbourg and Colmar and also concerts broadcast on Radio France, French television (France 2), and abroad (Britain, Canada, Germany, Hungary, Switzerland and the United States) with renowned conductors such as Théodore Guschelbauer and the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra, Edward Higginbottom and Jean-Claude Malgoire.

 

 

Musical direction

From early on in his career, he devoted time to conducting choirs and orchestras and creating and directing lyrical shows. He founded the Chœur Lyrique d'Alsace in 2000, and organises a full programme of concerts and shows as their musical and artistic director, creator and stage director.

 

Recent occupation and upcoming activities

"Invite the Opera to your home, with Eric VIVION-GRANDI, lyric tenor" (For more informations, click on the"Calendar" of this site)

He was a singing master at Strasbourg University for students at the Music Teacher Training Centre (CFMI) and teaches Master Classes in the art of singing. He is regularly invited to sit on the panel of examiners at the Conservatoires.

 

He has performed under the direction of conductors such as M. Balderi, P. Arrivabeni, M. Letonja, F. Cassi, L. Gendre, C. Brendel, D. Anselmi, Basil H.E Coleman, R. Mascolo, G. Kuhn, A. Sczygiol, Gion Gieri Tuor, T. Ichim and L. di Martino,V.Boshnakov,... and stage directors such as M. Laroche, A. Bernard, E. Pérez, M. Genovesi, A. Jona, J. Meléndrez Chas (Controluce Teatro d'ombre), A. Ramzews, Andrea Zogg and C. Boskovsky,Orlin Anastasov,Nikolaus Büchel,...

 

Recording

He has recorded 3 CDs which are universally acclaimed:

• in 2001: O sole mio. With Eric Vivion Tenor, Viola Szalay piano, Werner Brum double bass, distributed by MVE
• in 2009: Viaggio vol. 1. With Eric Vivion-Grandi Musical Director and Lyrical Tenor, Estelle Gerthoffert organ, and the Chœur Lyrique Alsace
• in 2009: Viaggio vol. 2 With Eric Vivion-Grandi Musical Director and Lyrical Tenor, Estelle Gerthoffert organ, and the Chœur Lyrique Alsace