Became an opera star by chance

For the past 15 years, French tenor Julien Behr has performed leading roles in opera houses across Asia, North America, and Europe. But originally, he wanted to become a lawyer.

“Since I was ten years old, I dreamed of becoming a lawyer,” says Behr, who was ready to take his final exams after five years of law studies.

“Then I forgot to register for the exam and had to wait.”

It was too much fun

While waiting, he began studying classical singing. The interest had always been there - Julien had joined a boys’ choir in his hometown Lyon at the age of six, and continued singing in choirs alongside his law studies.

“Classical music has really always been an important part of me. After I started studying singing, I discovered that I also loved theatre - and opera is the perfect combination,” he says with a smile, adding:

“Life is full of opportunities that you can either seize or let pass. I never planned to study classical singing, but today I’m very happy that I did. Singing and embodying roles simply became too much fun.”

Defining and award-winning

After completing his vocal studies, Julien Behr was soon invited to perform in opera houses both in France and internationally, taking on major Mozart roles such as Tamino in The Magic Flute, Ottavio in Don Giovanni, Ferrando in Così fan tutte, and Arbace in Idomeneo. He then explored other repertoire, including bel canto, performing roles such as Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor and Ernesto in Don Pasquale.

Behr recently turned 43 (and yes, the other soloists sang Happy Birthday to him during rehearsals at Grieghallen). In recent years, his voice has evolved so that he now performs more lyrical roles, such as Romeo and, of course, Pelléas. He has sung Pelléas several times - at Opéra de Lille, Théâtre de Caen, and most notably in the acclaimed and award-winning 2022 recording with the ensemble Les Siècles, conducted by François-Xavier Roth and released on Harmonia Mundi. The recording is available on streaming platforms.

Perfect Harmony

“This is a truly special production - exactly as Debussy himself wanted it performed,” says Julien Behr enthusiastically, adding that all French musicians love Pelléas et Mélisande.

“Debussy holds an enormous place in French music, and at the same time, this is his only opera. And not only that - the piece is completely unique in operatic history. It’s a story where music and text fit together magically well.”

“Debussy creates his own world with harmonic scales. I think, really, the entire music world loves Debussy’s music,” says Julien Behr, who performs the title role of Pelléas at Grieghallen from 1–7 November.

Photo credits:
Top: Julien Behr by Rudy Waks
Bottom: Julien Behr, soprano Sofia Nesje Enger and bass-baritone Alexandre Duhamel at rehearsals in Grieghallen, by Bergen National Opera