The Orchestre Métropolitain was founded in 1981 by some of the finest music graduates from Quebec schools. Today, it comprises a majority of Quebec-born and Quebec-trained musicians, and boasts an international caliber of excellence as an organization dedicated to the performance and dissemination of classical music from around the world. The Orchestra is also committed to serving the Metropolitan Montreal community and its diverse cultural institutions. Since 2000, the Métropolitain has enjoyed a string of successes under the direction of its current conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin.
The mandate of the Orchestre Métropolitain is founded on values that promote wider public access to Classical music and on strong community involvement, as well as on artistic innovation and creativity.
Formed of Local Musicians
The Orchestra gives pride of place to graduates of Quebec's conservatories and music faculties, enabling them to gain national and international exposure.
An International Caliber of Excellence
The Orchestre Métropolitain owes its excellence and recognition to the commitment and reputation of its internationally-renowned Principal Conductor and Artistic Director. This international status has won the attention of aspiring conductors and soloists at the forefront of the music world, who have enthusiastically accepted invitations from the Orchestra to perform as guest artists. The consistent quality of its performances has earned the Orchestra widespread acclaim and its numerous recordings have garnered several prizes and awards.
Committed to the Metropolitan Montreal Community
The Orchestra has always been a pioneer in matters of education and of wider public access to Classical music in the community. Beyond the season's in-house concerts, it brings music to a whole range of Montreal audiences and particularly to Montreal's young public.
Commitment to the community also includes the Orchestra's stated will to serve other cultural organizations in Montreal and to assume the role of their designated orchestra.
A Track Record of Innovation and Creativity
The Orchestre Métropolitain's personality is palpable through its distinctive sound and energy, qualities that emanate from the Principal Conductor and Artistic Director's commitment to innovation and creativity. The values of innovation and creativity have been fundamental to the Orchestra's activities from the start, and translate into performances of varied and eclectic repertoires, including world premieres of new Canadian works.
In a few numbers, the Orchestre Métropolitain is…
a 35 year-old conductor and artistic director qualified by all critics as a “rising star”over 60 professional musicians – mostly graduates from Quebec’s conservatories and music faculties70 concerts per yearover 200 000 audience membersconcerts starting at 14$hundreds of students attending concerts and rehearsals for free all season long7 000 youths participating in the Music Lovers of the Future programdozens of young musicians that are given the opportunit