Valentin Thill, tenor

Born in Rouen, Valentin Thill grew up in Toulon in the South of France. In October 2014, he enrolled in the Lyric Singing program at the Darius Milhaud Conservatory in Aix-en-Provence.

He was elected Laureate of the international Lied and melody competition in Gordes in October 2016. On June 30, 2018, at the age of 24, he received the Dussurget Prize from José Van Dam in Aix-en-Provence. In October 2018, he began an artist residency at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Waterloo, Belgium, under the guidance of José Van Dam and Sophie Koch. He won the 2nd Grand Prize at the 52nd International Opera Competition of the Capitole de Toulouse on September 7, 2019, presided over by Béatrice Uria-Monzon. In March 2019, he played the title role in Stravinsky’s opera “Mavra” in Ghent, Belgium. He interpreted the roles of Harlequin and the Soldier in Viktor Ullmann’s opera “Der Kaiser Von Atlantis” at the Camp des Milles in Aix-en-Provence in April 2019, and then participated in a MasterClass with Rolando Villazon as part of the Easter Festival in Aix-en-Provence.

In June 2019, he performed in Rossini’s “La petite Messe solennelle” at the Waterloo Festival with the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel and made his debut in the role of Don José in Bizet’s opera “Carmen” in a piano-voice version for the Grans Lyric piano/voce festival.

For his 2020/2021 season, he made his debut at La Monnaie/DeMunt in Brussels in the world premiere of “A l’extrême bord du monde“, playing the role of Stefan Zweig. He performed as Tamino at the Théâtre Royal du Parc in Brussels, at the Opéra de Toulouse in Strauss’ “Elektra”, and at the Aix-en-Provence Festival in Verdi’s “I Due Foscari” alongside Léo Nucci, conducted by Daniele Rustioni. On July 9, 2021, he sang in Beethoven’s 9th Symphony at the Théâtre antique de Fourvière in Lyon under the direction of Ben Glassberg. He also made his debut at the Beaune Festival in July 2022 in Rossini’s opera “Tancredi”, conducted by Jérémie Rhorer.

In 2021/2022, he made his debut in the role of Tamino in Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” at the Théâtre du Capitole in Toulouse and sang the role of Tavannes in Meyerbeer’s “Les Huguenots” at La Monnaie/De Munt in Brussels, directed by Olivier Py. He performed Dvorak’s “Stabat Mater” in Finland with the Lahti Symphony Orchestra.

During this season, alongside his commitments, he participated in Masterclasses with Helmut Deutsch and Patricia Ciofi.

In August 2022, he played the role of Nadir in Bizet’s “Les Pêcheurs de Perles” as part of the International Conductors Competition at the Royal Opera of Wallonia, Liège.

For his 2022/2023 season, Valentin made his debut in Athens, Greece in October 2022 at the Municipal Theatre Maria Callas in the role of Prince Bellidor in the opera “Soeur Béatrice“. He performed Puccini’s “Messa di Gloria” at the Limoges Opera, the role of Pifear in Adolphe Adam’s “Si j’étais roi” at the Toulon Opera, and also the role of Jaquino in Beethoven’s “Fidelio” at the Nice Opera. He returned to Toulouse to sing the tenor solo part in Bach’s Christmas Oratorio under the direction of Jordi Savall, as well as in Wagner’s “Tristan and Isolde” in the roles of the Young Sailor and the Shepherd. In April 2023, he made his debut at the Montpellier Opera in the role of Pylade in Gluck’s “Iphigénie en Tauride“. To end this season, he made his debut at Glyndebourne in England in the role of the Knight of the Force in Poulenc’s “Dialogues of the Carmelites“, directed by Barrie Kosky and conducted by Robin Ticciati. On August 7, 2023, he performed at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in London for a final performance of “Dialogues des Carmélites”.

For his current 2023/2024 season, Valentin sings at the Royal Opera of Wallonia/Liège in the role of Spalanzani in “Les Contes d’Hoffmann“, directed by Stefano Poda and conducted by Giampaolo Bisanti. Then he returns to the Toulon Opera in the role of Alfred in “Die Fledermaus” at the end of December, conducted by Léo Warynski. He gives a recital at the Tapestry Museum in Aix-en-Provence on January 20. He makes his debut at the Lyon National Opera in Puccini’s “La Fanciulla del West“, in the role of Joe, conducted by Daniele Rustioni, and also his Parisian debut with a concert at Les Invalides in May 2024. He will end his season in the role of Pong in “Turandot” at La Monnaie in Brussels, conducted by Kazushi Ono and directed by Christophe Coppens.

Exciting things are planned for future seasons, including debuts at a new Opera House and in a new country next season. A complete announcement will be made by September.

He is now an Associate Artist at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel.