A love story between two men set in Quebec in the early 20th century is set to open as a new opera, Les Feluettes, in Montreal this weekend.

The co-commission by Opéra de Montréal and Pacific Opera Victoria is drawn from a play of the same name by Quebec playwright Michel Marc Bouchard.

Set in Quebec in 1912 and 1957, it's a story of three adolescents, two of whom are in love, at a time when homosexuality was taboo.

The third young man turns to the Church to contain his emotions.

The plot involves murder and confession and is set in a prison.

All the ingredients according to artistic director Michel Beaulac for a classic complicated love story suitable for opera regardless of the sexuality of the leads.

"It's not a question of sexual orientation, it's a question of love and the impossibility of love. And how many relationship between men and women are impossible for a thousand reasons," said Beaulac.

"So it's really building the story about love, more than two gays or not gay."

Baritone Étienne Dupuis sings one of the lead roles in the new opera, Les Feluettes. Dupuis wrote to l'Opéra de Montréal when he heard the company hoped to create an opera based on the Michel Marc Bouchard play says he wanted to sing a role. Dupuis also played a lead in the company's 2013 production of Dead Man Walking. (Yves Renaud )

The production stars two singers from Montreal, baritone Etienne Dupuis and tenor Jean-Michel Richer, as the two lovers, Simon and Valliers. Gordon Geitz plays Monseigneur Bilodeau.

The two lovers

Dupuis and Richer are aware of the significance of the creation.

It's both a new opera and the first time an opera starring two male lovers is staged in Montreal.

The two men are good friends and comfortable in the roles, Léger joking about what a good kisser Dupuis is and Dupuis underscoring the challenge and importance of the plot for audiences today.

​"I thought the story was extremely compelling dramatically. It is obvious this happens and it should be considered normal, not the drama the fact that someone ends up in jail but the love between the two guys is normal," says Dupuis.

This is the first time Montreal opera goers will see a story of love between two men. The opera is based on a well-known play by Quebec writer Michel Marc Bouchard. The play inspired the Genie-award winning movie, Lilies, starring Brent Carver as well. (Yves Renaud )

The singers describe the music as "melodic, movie-like music."

For Dupuis, who reached out to the company expressing interest in a role, the contemporary story told in Les Feluettes is key for the future of the art form.

Pushback

There has been some pushback from a few opera subscribers.

The director of communications Pierre Vachon says a few subscribers have cancelled their tickets.

​"What we know is that there are a few people – 46 to be precise who decided not to come to see Les Feluettes. There are many reasons for this but one of the reasons is the topic, the subject, being homosexuality. We've been told some people say 'I don't want to see that.'"

The opera is set in a prison where the all male cast stages a play to revisit a dramatic episode from their past where Richer's character dies in a fire. In the Montreal staging the orchestra is also on stage dressed in prison garb. (Yves Renaud)

It's a small number given the company has almost 5000 subscribers. However, the reaction has caused Beaulac to reflect on the fragility of the social acceptance of differences such as race and sexuality and the importance of preserving that freedom.

"I think this tolerance at every level is very fragile, and I think we have to be so aware of political, economic influences that may restrain all that freedom of thought, of being, of loving."

Monseigneur Bilodeau is held to account by prisoners in this scene from Les Feluettes for his role in the death of one of the two lovers. (Yves Renaud)

Saturday's premiere performance of Les Feluettes is sold out.

The opera gets three more performances at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts May 24, 26 and 28.

Les Feluettes is a co-commision with Pacific Opera Victoria and will be part of their 2017 season.