Montreal, Wednesday, April 19, 2023 – Under the theme “Love letter to Montreal,” the Orchestre Métropolitain brought together business people from the metropolitan area for the seventh edition of its Benefit Gala this evening. The event raised a total of $1 010 084 to support the Orchestre’s various projects, a new record for the OM!
Love of Montreal was very much present throughout the evening, whose honorary chairs were Nadine Renaud-Tinker , Quebec Headquarters President at RBC, and Vincent Delisle , Executive Vice-President and Head of Liquid Markets at the CDPQ. Food prepared by Jérémie Bastien of Monarque restaurant and a musical menu concocted by the Orchestre Métropolitain under Yannick Nézet-Séguin were among the highlights, along with the appearance of young violist Emad Zolfaghari, a performance by Elisapie Isaac and a surprise featuring Yannick Nézet-Séguin at the piano joined by Kim Richardson and Mélissa Bédard for a memorable rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah .
“Everything I love about Montreal, I find in the Orchestre Métropolitain and its values, which are also my values: boldness, an openness to the world, authenticity, an attachment to and celebration of Montreal culture and a taste for the new… And if we can be proud of the progress made at the OM, if we can look ambitiously at the path before us, it is thanks to our many partners and donors, who also see these values in themselves.”– Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Musical and Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, Orchestre Métropolitain
Major projects
Achieving this fundraising objective was crucial for the Orchestre Métropolitain, which has been expanding its projects: ones for Montrealers with a number of cultural players and ones for audiences abroad, with tours planned for the United States (Carnegie Hall, Philadelphia, Worcester) in March 2024 and for Europe in the summer of 2025.
Education and cultural transmission are core parts of the OM’s mission. Whether through family concerts, school matinées, the OMNI Music Competition, the Orchestral Conducting Academy for next-generation artists or the introduction to music program in schools, the Orchestre is dedicated to bringing music to future generations and supporting Quebec’s young talent. That all these programs can continue is due largely to the support of donors and partners, such as the CDPQ, which has been the OM’s principal educational partner for three years now.
Which is not to forget the essential: music! The donations received will enable the Orchestre Métropolitain to continue bringing all the richness of music to Montrealers at the Maison symphonique, in the boroughs and at free concerts in the parks. Making music accessible to all locals is part of the OM’s DNA. It’s how we show our love for Montreal!
Quotations
“I am deeply convinced that art is a vector of cultural wealth and that supporting tomorrow’s talent contributes to the dynamism of our communities. Through its bold programming and the inestimable contribution of its artistic director, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the OM clearly demonstrates the power of music to invigorate and raise Montreal’s profile at home and abroad.” – Nadine Renaud-Tinker, President, Quebec Headquarters, RBC, and Co-chair of the Benefit Gala
“The OM and its conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin have created a veritable showcase for the city’s artistic talent, one that spotlights local artists and increases their fame around the world. The OM’s love for music also extends beyond the stage, and its educational mission, a particular source of pride for me, helps fire the emotions of young people and inspire the next generation of artists.” – Vincent Delisle, Executive Vice-President and Head of Liquid Markets, CDPQ and Co-chair of the Benefit Gala
“The Orchestre Métropolitain is always seeking ways to climb higher, to aspire for more, while remaining focused on its mission of increasing accessibility and promoting Quebec talent. I’m especially pleased to note how the ensemble’s strength constantly enables it to become even more rooted in the wider community.” – Érik J. Ryan, Chair of the Board of Directors, Orchestre Métropolitain, and Executive Vice-President, Strategy, Marketing and External Relations, SNC-Lavalin
“As determined and as bold as ever, the vision of our artistic director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, celebrated around the globe, leads all in his orbit to dare to dream, to become aware that they too can help make society better. With him at the OM, we dream of even more accessible music-making in which everyone can see themselves. We dream of bringing Montreal and local musicians to the international stage. And these dreams are coming true because of you!” – Fabienne Voisin, President and CEO, Orchestre Métropolitain
Among the partners attending were Quebec culture and communications minister Mathieu Lacombe, Montreal mayor Valérie Plante, director and CEO of the Canada Council for the Arts Simon Brault, executive director of the Conseil des arts de Montréal Nathalie Maillé and wife of Quebec premier François Legault Isabelle Brais.
Acknowledgements
The Orchestre Métropolitain offers its thanks to RBC, the CDPQ, the honorary committee, its conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, musicians, board of directors, administrative team and many volunteers. Without them, this event would not have happened.
The OM also thanks all the partners who assisted with organizing the event, namely Cava Rose, Ambio Fonik, the SAQ, Marie Vermette and Air Canada.
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Media contact: Andréanne Moreauamoreau@orchestremetropolitain.com
