A key cultural ambassador of Quebec, the Orchestre Métropolitain (the OM for short) has created a unique relationship with the public through initiatives driven by excellence and emotion. Whether the OM is performing at the Maison symphonique de Montréal or in the city’s boroughs as part of the Conseil des Arts de Montréal Touring Program, each concert is an opportunity for our music to resonate with the audience.
For 25 years, the OM has grown alongside its artistic director and principal conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin to develop a bold, modern and timely offer. This shared vision has led the conductor and his orchestra to sign a lifetime contract, a rare commitment in the history of classical music, giving them the chance to develop a unique and distinct personality full of intention.
Yannick Nézet-Séguin’s flourishing international career has had a positive impact on the OM, bringing the ensemble to some of the world’s greatest stages (Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Philharmonie de Paris, Verizon Hall in Philadelphia) with a European tour in 2017, followed by a US tour in 2019. Once again, the Orchestre Métropolitain has been invited to perform at the famed Carnegie Hall, and as a result, the OM has embarked on a tour of three US cities in spring 2024: New York, Philadelphia and Worcester. The ensemble also returned on Europe’s great stages in June 2025. The orchestra has capitalized on each of these opportunities to promote the talent of Canadian composers and musicians across the globe.
From its founding in 1981, the OM’s mission has been to introduce children to music, foster a passion for music among young people and support emerging musicians. Thanks to its many cultural and educational initiatives like its in-school activities, the OMNI Music Competition and the Orchestral Conducting Academy, which gives Yannick Nézet-Séguin the chance to pass down his craft to the next generation of conductors, the orchestra has built a strong relationship with community members of all ages.
