Acadian tenor Jacques Arsenault began his musical career studying accordion while growing up on Prince Edward Island, before discovering his vocal talents. Since receiving his Master of Music from the University of Alberta, Jacques has performed throughout Canada in a wide range of repertoire from classical and contemporary opera to musical theatre. In 2015, Jacques made his operatic debut in Edmonton Opera’s The Merry Widow and is delighted to return this season as Remendado in Carmen.

In 2023, Jacques sang Don Curzio in Le nozze di Figaro and Third Jew in Salome with the Canadian Opera Company and joined the band as accordionist and keyboardist in the klezmer/folk, music theatre hybrid “Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story” on tour to Saskatoon, New Brunswick, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Victoria.

Jacques brought his comedic skills as the Italian opera singer Piangi to Opera on the Avalon’s Phantom of the Opera, and as Basilio in Against the Grain Theatre’s Figaro’s Wedding. Jacques also sang the role of Ambroise Lépine in Louis Riel (Somers) with the Canadian Opera Company at the National Arts Centre.

Jacques created the role of Zahed in the 2021 world premiere of L’Orangeraie with Chants Libres in Montreal and Quebec City. He starred as Freddy in Tapestry Opera’s Bandits in the Valley, earning nominations for two Broadway World/Toronto Awards for his “standout performance… impressive combination of powerful singing, solid accordion chops… and heartfelt acting”.

Jacques and mezzo-soprano Marjorie Maltais perform together as French Squeeze, presenting his original accordion arrangements of their favourite French songs from Canada and France, captivating audiences with recent performances in Toronto and Prince Edward Island’s Under the Spire Festival. In 2023, French Squeeze joins Cantabile Choirs of Kingston in “La Vie en Rose”.