Did you know that all the musicians of the OM were trained in institutions right here at home? That’s why, on every tour, we take great pride in showcasing local talent on the world stage. And from June 23 to 28, we’ll be performing in some of Europe’s most iconic venues, bringing our music to life for audiences across the continent. Here’s a brief overview of the legendary locations this tour will take us to.
June 23 BOZAR in Brussels, Henry Le Bœuf Hall (Belgium) Inaugurated: 1929Architect: Victor HortaThe Henry Le Bœuf Hall at the Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels (known as BOZAR) is a feast for both the eyes and ears with its velvet seats, parquet floors, white columns and subtle gold details. In pursuit of exceptional acoustics, the architect Victor Horta was inspired by the great halls of the era, such as the Concertgebouw and the Opéra Garnier. His high standards for sound quality led him to opt for an egg-shaped design, giving the space a distinctive character and charm.
(Photo : bozar.be )
June 24 Philharmonie de Paris, Grande salle Pierre-Boulez (France) Inaugurated: 2015Architects: Jean Nouvel and Brigitte MétraBuilt in Parc de la Villette on the outskirts of Paris, the Philharmonie resembles a metallic hill with layered levels that play with perspective.
Its main concert hall is just as modern, with cantilevered balconies forming irregular waves and acoustic panels shaped like clouds suspended from the ceiling. But where the hall truly shines is in its acoustic design. Even with 2,400 seats, it delivers an intimate listening experience. And it’s not simply an illusion—even from the very back row, the conductor is no more than 32 metres away.
(Photo : William Beaucardet, philharmoniedeparis.fr )
June 25 Konzerthaus Vienna, Great Hall (Austria) Inaugurated: 1913Architects: Ludwig Baumann, Ferdinand Fellner, and Hermann Gottlieb HelmerThe Vienna Konzerthaus was built with the aim of creating a welcoming cultural space accessible to people of all social backgrounds, not just the elite. Its architecture blends Secessionist, Historicist and Art Nouveau styles, creating a distinctive character that has been largely preserved over the years. A major renovation in the early 2000s brought state-of-the-art technology to the venue while retaining its original charm.
(Photo : Lukas Beck, konzerthaus.at )
June 26 Elbphilharmonie (Elbe Philharmonic Hall), Hamburg (Germany) Inaugurated: 2017Architects: Herzog & de Meuron The Elbphilharmonie was built atop a former cocoa warehouse in the port of Hamburg. Its unique location inspired its exterior: the glass structure rises like a shimmering wave above the brick and concrete base of the original building. With the audience arranged in a circle around the stage, the hall achieves a remarkable sense of intimacy with an exceptional acoustic experience.
(Photo : Michael Zapf, elbphilharmonie.de )
June 28–29 Festspielhaus Baden-Baden (Germany) Inaugurated: 1998Architect: Wilhelm HolzbauerKnown as the summer capital of Europe, the spa town of Baden-Baden gained an even stronger claim to the title with the construction of Germany’s largest concert hall. Seating 2,500, the hall was built on the site of its former train station. The Festspielhaus does not have a resident orchestra or ensemble. Instead, it welcomes world-renowned soloists, conductors, orchestras and exceptional opera productions.
(Photo : festspielhaus.de )
The Orchestre Métropolitain extends its heartfelt thanks to the generous partners and donors of this tour: the Sandra and Alain Bouchard Foundation, the Jacques Marchand Foundation, its International Outreach Partner Tourisme Montréal, its Official Airline Carrier Air Canada, the Government of Quebec, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Government of Canada, as well as Jean-Jacques Laurans and Antoine Chagnon.
