Les Solistes de Beyrouth, Biography:

Les Solistes de Beyrouth is a renowned classical vocal ensemble founded by Fernando Afara. Bringing together professional singers and advanced students from his studio, the group has quickly emerged as one of the region’s leading vocal ensembles, known for its high artistic standards and its commitment to excellence, mentorship, and international exchange.

On the international stage, Les Solistes de Beyrouth recently delivered a performance of truly international standard at the iconic Victoria Hall in Geneva for a gala concert dedicated to opera on June 2025. The program featured 50 minutes of Bizet’s Carmen marking the opera’s 150th anniversary, alongside Oriental chants by Toufic Succar, in partnership with the City of Geneva, with Swiss mezzo-soprano Carine Séchaye and pianist Alexandre Shaikin. The performance, worthy of Europe’s major opera stages, ended with a five-minute standing ovation from the Geneva audience. Presented in support of Caritas Lebanon, the concert reaffirmed both the ensemble’s artistic excellence and its humanitarian commitment. The Ensemble also performed Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and Poulenc’s Litanies à la Vierge Noire at the iconic Temply of Lutry in Lausanne Switzerland, with the support of the City of Lausanne and the (Commune de Lutry). The ensemble also represented Lebanon also at the Rhodes Organ Festival in Greece, performing with distinguished organists Robert Kovács and Gianluca Cagnani in October 2024. This performance, delivered in the midst of the war in Lebanon, stood as a powerful expression of resilience and cultural presence. Since its founding in 2021 and at a national level, the ensemble has collaborated with many of the country’s major musical and academic institutions, including the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra (Christmas 2022 and 2023), the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music, the Ministry of Culture, the American University of Beirut AUB, Notre Dame University NDU, Saint Joseph University USJ and the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK).

The ensemble also featured in major cultural events such as the Lebanese Organ Festival for two consecutive years, sharing the stage with renowned organists including internationally acclaimed organists such as Yves Lafargue and Paolo De Matthaeis, and took part in the Faqra International Festival and performed at the archeological ruins of Faqra . Guided by the vision of its artistic director, Les Solistes de Beyrouth continues its journey with passion, discipline, and a profound belief in the unifying power of music

Fernando Afara, Biography:

Born in Lebanon, Fernando Afara began his musical journey at the National Conservatory of Beirut, where he discovered his passion for classical singing. He later continued his studies in France and Switzerland, training in vocal performance and pedagogy in Lyon, Lausanne, Bern, and Geneva. His technical and artistic development was shaped by guidance from renowned teachers such as Frédéric Gindraux, Maria Diaconu, and Pierre Ribemont, and further enriched through masterclasses with leading singers, vocal technicians, and pedagogues including Nadine Denise, David Jones, Leontina Văduva, Peggy Bouveret, Peter Blochwitz, Hiroko Kawamishi, Brigitte Balleys, Helmut Deutsch, Martin Katz, Todd Camburn, Laetitia Bougnol, Marie- Cécile Bertheau, and Stephan MacLeod. As a baritone, Fernando has performed operatic roles in Lausanne, Avenches, Lyon, and Beirut, and has appeared in numerous oratorios and cantatas with distinguished orchestras such as the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra (OCL), the Fribourg Chamber Orchestra, and the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande (OSR), under the direction of internationally acclaimed conductors. In 2015, he was awarded Second Prize unanimoously at the 39th International Lyceum Music Competition in Switzerland. Alongside his singing career, Fernando is highly active as a choral conductor. He has directed several ensembles, including the Vocal Ensemble of the Lannion Conservatory in France, and the prestigious Les Solistes de Beyrouth in Lebanon, and the Nouvel Ensemble Vocal Cedrus, which he founded and leads in France. His dedication to choral artistry reflects his broader commitment to excellence, musical integrity, and the formation of young singers. As the artistic director of Les Solistes de Beyrouth, Fernando has led the ensemble in major venues and cultural events, notably at Victoria Hall in Geneva in June 2025, where the group delivered a performance worthy of Europe’s great opera stages ,a milestone that strengthened their presence on both the Lebanese and international musical scenes. A passionate educator, Fernando has taught classical voice and vocal technique at various institutions, including the Conservatoire de Lannion-Trégor in France, the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), the School of Music at Notre Dame University (NDU) in Lebanon and the Philokalia Institue.

James Alexander, Pianist

Canadian pianist James Alexander began his studies with Robert Silverman at the University of British Columbia. Supported by a Canada Council grant, he continued his training at the Juilliard School in New York, studying with Sasha Gorodnitzki and Janina Fialkowska, and earned his Master of Music degree. He also took part in masterclasses with renowned artists including Leon Fleisher, Menahem Pressler, Gwendolyn Koldofsky, and Martin Katz, deepening his expertise in both solo repertoire and art song. After completing his studies, Alexander served as an intern at the Juilliard School before joining the International Opera Studio of Zürich, followed by an appointment at the Stadttheater Aachen as assistant to the principal conductor. For many years, he taught chamber music and collaborative piano at two of Switzerland’s leading institutions: the Haute École de Musique de Genève (HEM) and the Hochschule der Künste Bern (HKB). A sought-after recital partner, he has performed with numerous distinguished singers and instrumentalists, and continues to give occasional masterclasses at the Juilliard School. His discography includes solo piano works, art song, instrumental chamber music, and several albums devoted to tango.

Carine Séchaye, Mezzo-Soprano:

Winner of the Operalia Placido Domingo Zarzuela Prize in 2007, Swiss mezzo-soprano Carine Séchaye is also a laureate of the Voix d’Or Competition (3rd Prize), the Ernst Haefliger Competition (Best Swiss Candidate), and the Toulouse French Mélodie Competition (2nd Prize) She has received major scholarships from Friedl Wahl, Migros/Ernst Göhner, Leenaards, and the Foundation of the Holy Angels (Paris). Born in Geneva, she trained in voice and acting at the Conservatory of Geneva before joining the Opera Studio in Zürich. She made early debuts in Zürich and Lausanne, singing Honora (Tom Jones, recorded on CD/DVD), Cherubino, Mercédès (Japan tour), and the title role in Montsalvatge’s Le Chat botté. Her European engagements include Octavian (Der Rosenkavalier), Mélisande, Nancy (Albert Herring), Orlovsky, Dorabella, Rosina, Sméraldine (The Love for Three Oranges), and Siébel. A regular guest at the Grand Théâtre de Genève, she has performed Berta, Sméraldine, Bersi, the Page (Salome), and Frédéric (Mignon) alongside Diana Damrau and Sophie Koch. She has also appeared in major houses in Monaco, the Royal Opera House Muscat (Oman), Toulouse, Montpellier, Toulon, Metz, Dijon, the Netherlands, and Germany. Her acclaimed portrayal of the title role in L’Aiglon (Lausanne/Tours) was hailed for its “extraordinary dramatic and vocal commitment.” Recent and upcoming roles include Stéphano (Roméo et Juliette), Muse/Nicklausse, Wellgunde (Ring), Didon, Dorabella, and Orest (La Belle Hélène).