- Orchestre Métropolitain
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The Orchestre Métropolitain (OM) is a Canadian orchestra based in Montreal, Quebec. The OM primarily gives its concerts in the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at the Place des Arts, and also performs at the Théâtre Maisonneuve. Outside of the Montréal city centre, the OM also gives concerts in Saint-Laurent, Outremont, Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles, Saint-Léonard, Verdun, Ahuntsic, Pierrefonds-Roxboro, and Pointe-Claire.
Contents
History
The roots of the orchestra date to 1980, when the ensemble Les Variations became the official orchestra for the Concerts Lachine series. The ensemble consisted of young music graduates from Montréal conservatories. In 1981, Les Variations changed its name to the Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal, with Robert Savoie as its first chairman (until 1985) and Hun Bang as its first executive director (until 1987). The orchestra's first music director was Marc Bélanger, from 1981 to 1986. Bélanger also served as artistic director from 1986 to 1987. The orchestra gave occasional concerts for its first few years, and staged its first regular season of concerts in 1985.
The orchestra compressed its official name to the Orchestre Métropolitain in 1986. Also in 1986, the Choeur de l'Orchestre Métropolitain was formed, with Jacques Faubert as its first director. That same year, Agnès Grossmann became the OM's second music director, and its second artistic director the next year. She held both posts through 1995. During the 1980s and 1990s, the OM made a number of recordings for Radio-Canada and Analekta. In 1993, the OM began its free summer concerts in Montréal parks and also performed in the Métro for the first time.
Joseph Rescigno became the OM's artistic director in 1995, and held the post through 2000. Yannick Nézet-Séguin took up the post of artistic director in 2000. His current contract with the OM is through 2015.[1] Nézet-Séguin has conducted the OM in several commercial recordings for the ATMA Classique label, including symphonies of Anton Bruckner and Gustav Mahler.[2]
In January 2005, the OM and Nézet-Séguin received three Opus awards from the Conseil québécois de la musique, two for their recording of Mahler's Symphony No. 4 and one for their concert performance of Alban Berg's Wozzeck. In October 2005, the OM received a Felix Prize from the ADISQ awards for their album of Kurt Weill, in collaboration with Diane Dufresne. In 2010, the OM won an Opus Award for their recording of Bruckner's Symphony No. 9.
Music Directors & Artistic Directors
- Marc Bélanger (1981-1986, Music Director; 1986-1987, Artistic Director)
- Agnès Grossmann (1986-1995, Music Director; 1988-1995, Artistic Director)
- Joseph Rescigno (1995-2000)
- Yannick Nézet-Séguin (2000-present)
References
- ^ "Yannick Nézet-Séguin shines again: The young conductor is named Musical Director of the Philadelphia Orchestra" (Press release). Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal. 15 June 2010. http://www.orchestremetropolitain.com/news/nouvelle/23/2010. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
- ^ David Patrick Stearns, "Nézet-Séguin's 17 recordings offer variety". Philadelphia Inquirer, 20 June 2010.
External links
Categories:- Canadian orchestras
- Musical groups established in 1981
- Musical groups from Montreal
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