Yann Toussaint is a French baritone, born in Reims. He first studied literature and graduated from the Sorbonne before turning to singing and music. His vocal studies started at a conservatoire in Paris (10th) where he won the Silver Medal in 1999. He later won a place at the CNSM (Paris Conservatory), winning an award in 2003. He won the Prix Spécial du Jury at the Nîmes Singing Competition in 2009 and joined the Marseilles CNIPAL for the 2009-2010 season.
His passion for literature and drama naturally pushed him towards opera, though he also continued to study the art of recital and oratorio. He made his debut at the Opéra de Massy (CommissarioMadama Butterfly), and with the Ensemble Orchestra of Paris under conductor Lionel Bringuier (Les Fables Enchantéesby Isabelle Aboulker). A prizewinner at the CFPL contest, he toured in Rossini’s Il Viaggio a Reims as Antonio (and cover Don Profondo) at the Toulouse Capitole, a production that performed around 50 times in France from 2008 to 2010.
He then performed in various houses and Festivals including the Opéra d’Avignon, Marseille, the Chorégiesd’Orange, Reims, the Festival of l’Iled’Yeu, the Théâtre del’Athénée, the Arsénal de Metz, and with the Orchestre Philharmonique of Radio France, the Ensemble Orchestra of Paris, the Orchestre Nationale de Lorraine, and the Aichi Central Orchestra of Nagoya (Japon).
He has performed under many conductors including Myung-Whun Chung, Luciano Acocella, Roberto Fores-Veses, Jean-Yves Ossonce, Gaspard Brécourt, Dominique Rouits, Olivier Schneebeli, BalasKoscàr, Vincent Barthe, Jean-Walter, Audoli, Jean Sourisse, Francesco Maria Carminati, Sesto Quadrini, Pierre Dumoussaud, VictorienVanoosten, and in productions directed by Nadine Duffaut, Vincent Vittoz, Christian Gangneron, Renée Auphan, Nicola Berlofa, Alexandre Camerlo, Dorian Fourny and Sergio Urbani.
In the last few years, he has sung Count AlmavivaLe Nozze di Figaro,GuglielmoCosìfan tutte, Nardo La Finta Giardiniera, the title role in Don Giovanni (on stage and also in masterclasses with Ruggero Raimondi and Alain Duault on France 3), Valentin Faust, both Escamilloand DancaïreCarmen, AeneasDido & Aeneas, Montano and AraldoOtello,Schaunard Bohème, GermontTraviata,Le Dernier Jour d’un Condamné by David Alagna (Directeur),Beethoven's 9th Symphony, the Fauré, Duruflé and Brahms Requiems, Bach’s Cantata no. 82and Puccini Messa di Gloria.
During the 2015-2016 season, Yann sang FalkeDie Fledermaus at the Opéra du Grand Avignon, and recorded L’Enorme Crocodile and Un Amour de Tortueby Isabelle Aboulker with the Chamber Orchestra of Paris for GallimardMusique. He then performedLord CecilMaria Stuardaat the Opéra du Grand Avignon,Le Chevalier de Prokesch-OstenL’Aiglonby Honegger/Ibert, as well as Yvesin Messager’sMadame Chrysanthèmeer at the Opéra de Marseille in February and April 2016.
Yann is not only interested in performing but also in teaching and sharing his passion and knowledge with young singers. As a result, he took the national vocal education degree and teaches voice in two Paris conservatoires.