Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal | The Canadian Encyclopedia

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Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal

Founded in 1981, today this orchestra is made up of some 60 professional musicians, graduates from Québec conservatories and music faculties. Since its inception, the orchestra has adopted a "general public" approach aiming to increase the audience for classical music.

Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal

Founded in 1981, today this orchestra is made up of some 60 professional musicians, graduates from Québec conservatories and music faculties. Since its inception, the orchestra has adopted a "general public" approach aiming to increase the audience for classical music. Its varied and accessible repertoire includes classical, contemporary and, sometimes, popular works. L'Orchestre Métropolitain is distinguished by its many activities. Before each concert, a speaker presents the artists, works and composers on the program, and the conductor doesn't hesitate to add complementary information, or explain a theme. The orchestra also initiated good collaborations with other artistic disciplines (dance, theatre, puppets, etc.) for multidisciplinary concerts. Finally, the ensemble concentrates on developing young audiences by giving school matinées every year to more than 5000 primary grade students.

In 1986, Agnès GROSSMANN became the artistic director of the Métropolitain orchestra and choir, succeeded by the American conductor Joseph Rescigno in December 1995. In March 2000 Yannick Nézet-Séguin took over.

L'Orchestre Métropolitain presents a regular season at the PLACE DES ARTS, and tours in two Montréal neighbourhoods and four other cities in the jurisdiction of the Montreal urban community. During the summer, the OM gives free concerts in several parks. They play regularly for l'Opéra de Montréal productions, at the Festival international de Lanaudière, the Concours international de la SOCIÉTÉ RADIO-CANADA, as well as many other festivals.