Yannick Nézet-Séguin conferred the rank of Officer of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres

September 9, 2022 |

The Orchestre Métropolitain is pleased to announce that its Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin has been conferred the rank of Officer of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France for his outstanding contribution to cultural vitality in France and throughout the world!

This prestigious honorary decoration was presented to him on September 7 by Laurent Bayle, founder, and former Director of the Cité de la Musique-Philharmonie de Paris (2001–2021), on behalf of France’s Ministry of Culture. It is an honour for which we warmly congratulate Yannick Nézet-Séguin, and one that is shared by all of us at the OM who enjoy the privilege of knowing him and of having evolved with him for over 20 years.

The ceremony was attended by Michèle Boisvert, Delegate General of Quebec in Paris and numerous figures of Parisian musical life, following the second concert given by the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Philharmonie de Paris as part of its European tour. In a speech that chronicled Yannick’s exceptional career, Laurent Bayle underscored his extraordinary artistry, his humanity, and the values, particularly of inclusion and diversity, that he embodies with all the orchestras he conducts.

The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
Established on May 2, 1957, the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is an honorary decoration administered by the French government’s Ministry of Culture, which recognizes individuals for their outstanding work in the fields of art and literature, as well as those who have contributed significantly to furthering the arts in France and throughout the world. The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres comprises three grades: Knight, Officer and Commander. Authorized by the Minister of Culture, 960 Ordre des Arts et des Lettres crosses are awarded each year.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin: many times decorated
Holding six honorary doctorates, Yannick Nézet-Séguin has been named a Companion of the Order of Canada (2012), Companion of the Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec (2015), Officer of the Ordre national du Québec (2015), Officer of the Order of Montreal (2017), Honorary Fellow of the Royal Conservatory of Music (2020), and now, Officer of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (2022). Other honours include the Virginia Parker Prize, a nomination for Artist of the Year by the prestigious magazine Musical America, an award from the Royal Philharmonic Society (London), the National Arts Centre Award (Ottawa), the Prix Denise-Pelletier awarded by the government of Quebec, the Medal of Honour of the Quebec National Assembly, the Oskar Morawetz Award, the Betty Webster Award conferred by Orchestras Canada, as well as a Grammy Award (2022).