Michel Bettez

For more than 35 years, Michel Bettez has been the principal bassoonist of Montreal’s Orchestre Métropolitain, currently under the artistic direction of maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Since 1990, Bettez has also been principal bassoonist of the Orchestre symphonique de Laval, and a member of Nouvel Ensemble Moderne (NEM) since its founding in 1989.   

With NEM, he has toured extensively in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Europe, Asia and Australia. In 1984, Bettez earned special mention (second place) at the Concours du Prix d’Europe, a performance competition held in Quebec, and since then has played as soloist with numerous orchestras. 

A highly versatile artist, Bettez has also played baroque and classical bassoon with several period ensembles. He was a member of notable chamber music groups, including the woodwind quintet Ensemble Pentaèdre. 

Bettez is an official recital artist for the esteemed bassoon manufacturer Bernd Moosmann, and has given numerous recitals at international music conferences, including many of the annual events hosted by the International Double Reed Society (IDRS). 

He has taught at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal and as part of the faculty of music at l’Université de Montréal, and has given master classes and recitals in several universities in France, the United States, Mexico and the Philippines.