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Montreal, June 6, 2023 — The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal and Music Director Rafael Payare are pleased to announce their summer 2023 programming, which marks this year the Virée classique’s 10th edition (August 16 to 20). This intrepid and wide-ranging edition will feature 26 concerts and more than a hundred free activities! Also this summer: a time-honoured tradition continues as the Orchestra presents four free concerts in parks and returns to the Festival de Lanaudière to give four concerts conducted by Rafael Payare. A multitude of activities offering plenty of fabulous options to share with family and friends!
“To promote musical discovery in all its forms, strengthen social ties in the community, contribute to the development of music lovers’ sensitivity and curiosity, and encourage amateur musicians and young emerging artists. This is the goal which the Virée classique set for itself at the beginning and fulfills with success year after year.” — Rafael Payare, OSM Music Director
VIRÉE CLASSIQUE KICK-OFF
Large-scale FREE concert on the Olympic Park Esplanade — August 16, 7:30 p.m.
For this grandiose kick-off, the OSM and its Music Director summon us on A Stroll Through the Museum to Opera Arias. Mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard will sing a selection of celebrated opera arias and violinist Bomsori will perform Waxman’s sultry, impassioned Carmen Fantasie based on Bizet’s operatic masterpiece. A short trip from the opera house to the museum will have us gaze upon Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. This powerful work will transport listeners from the fantastic world of legend to the great cities of Europe. A concert to unleash the imagination, conducted by Rafael Payare!
10th EDITION OF THE VIRÉE CLASSIQUE: FROM AUGUST 16 TO 20
The festival’s rich programming features 26 concerts that will explore a multitude of musical spheres, from major classical works to Balinese music, including jazz, film soundtracks, music from the Balkans and the Middle East, each performed in one of four concert halls. These manifold musical styles from various cultures are sure to conjure memories of travel or carry listeners off to the fantastic world of tales and legends. Concerts are maximum one hour in duration and are presented without intermission, allowing enthusiastic music lovers to attend more than one concert on the same day! Spectators can also enjoy concerts while seated on the stages of the Théâtre Maisonneuve and the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, for an unusual and intimate experience!
Rafael Payare will conduct 9 concerts, including two performances of Orff’s iconic Carmina Burana, and a family concert inviting all generations to discover a world of fantastic creatures as imagined by various composers!
This year, the OSM welcomes three artists-in-residence who will perform in various contexts all festival long: violinist Bomsori, cellist Nicolas Alstaedt and pianist Francesco Piemontesi. Otherfeatured artists include Charles Richard-Hamelin (piano), Godwin Friesen (piano), Paul Merkelo (trumpet), Dina Gilbert (conductor), Sarah Dufresne (soprano), Margaret Little (viola da gamba), the Ensemble Obiora, the Ensemble Oktoecho and the FILMharmonic Orchestra.
TICKETS FOR THE 26 IN-HALL CONCERTS ARE ON SALE NOW!
OSM.CA 514-842-9951 or 1-888-842-9951
A BOUNTY OF FREE PROGRAMMING
During this 10th edition, around one hundred activities for all audiences will take place over 10 locations in the Quartier des spectacles. Encounters with artists, outdoor film screenings, yoga sessions with music, concerts for all ages, talks, reading zones: everyone is invited to join in the fun! A new feature this year: one of our octobasses will be exhibited in the Foyer Antonia-Nantel at the Maison symphonique. Complete free programming will be announced on July 6.
LUCIA: A PUBLIC INTERACTIVE ART INSTALLATION
Lucia is a universal invitation to take part in a story by turning the cranks of a giant music box. Generated through a work by Quebec composer Maxime Goulet performed by the OSM, Lucia tells a story linking past and present through connections that are made between participants. This installation created by Mirari and Anne Lagacé, will come alive August 18 through September 18 in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles.
“I am delighted once again to be teaming up with the OSM and its Music Director Rafael Payare, for a second year. I invite you all to share in this momentous summer event that is the Virée classique. See you there!”
— Magalie Lépine-Blondeau, spokesperson for the 2023 Virée classique
OSM IN THE PARKS SIRIUSXM
4 free orchestral concerts from July 26 to 29
On July 1, 1938, Wilfrid Pelletier conducted the OSM’s first free summer concert on the lookout by the Mount Royal Chalet. This exalted tradition continues as the Orchestra sets up its stage in parks located in Montreal (Jarry Park), Blainville, Brossard and Terrebonne, offering communities sunlit evenings to the sounds of the clarinet and saxophone played by André Moisan and of the luminous voice of Suzanne Taffot. André Robitaille will host these concerts conducted by Simon Rivard!
A RETURN TO THE FESTIVAL DE LANAUDIÈRE
The OSM musicians and Rafael Payare will head to Joliette on July 7 to open the Festival de Lanaudière with a performance of Beethoven’s legendary Ninth and give three other concerts there on July 8 and August 4 and 5. Full details HERE.
SUMMER 2023 WITH THE OSM
July7: FESTIVAL DE LANAUDIÈRE
July 8: FESTIVAL DE LANAUDIÈRE
July 26: OSM IN THE PARKS SIRIUSXM — EQUESTRIAN PARK, BLAINVILLE
July 27: OSM IN THE PARKS SIRIUSXM — POLY-ARENA PARK, BROSSARD
July 28: OSM IN THE PARKS SIRIUSXM — JARRY PARK, MONTREAL
July 29: OSM IN THE PARKS SIRIUSXM — ILE-DES-MOULINS PARK, TERREBONNE
August 4: FESTIVAL DE LANAUDIÈRE
August 5: FESTIVAL DE LANAUDIÈRE
August 16: VIRÉE CLASSIQUE KICK-OFF — OLYMPIC PARK ESPLANADE
August 16 to 20: 10th EDITION OF THE VIRÉE CLASSIQUE
“The 2023 summer programming promises unforgettable and captivating moments. Once again this summer, the OSM is reaching out directly to its audience, with concerts in parks in and around the greater metropolitan area, a tradition with which BMO is proud to be associated. I wish a great season to all and I want to extend a special thank you to the musicians who bring the OSM to life.”
— Grégoire Baillargeon, President, BMO Financial Group, Quebec
THE OSM THANKS ITS PARTNERS
The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal wishes to thank its public-sector partners: the Secrétariat à la région métropolitaine, the Quebec Ministry of Tourism, Canadian Heritage, the Conseil des arts de Montréal and the City of Montreal, who all contribute to carrying out its summer activities.
The concerts on July 28 at Jarry Park and on August 16 at the Olympic Park Esplanade are presented in connection with the program CAM en tournée.
OSM presenter: Hydro-Québec
Classical Spree collaborator: TD Bank Group
Title presenter of OSM in the Parks: SiriusXM
OSM in the Parks collaborator: BMO
Official vehicle: Volvo
Host of the Classical Spree: Place des Arts
Privileged partner: Complexe Desjardins
Associate partner: Tourisme Montréal
Privileged partner: Complexe Desjardins, Clarins, Solotech, Boréale Beer
Space partners: Twigg Musique, Yamaha Canada Music, Wilder and Davis, Timpano, Casavant
Artistic partners: Partenariat du Quartier des Spectacles, Fondation de la Place des Arts, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, Fédération des harmonies et des orchestres symphoniques du Québec, Théâtre du Nouveau Monde, Montreal Intercultural Storytelling Festival, Collège Notre-Dame de Montréal, mirari, Anne Lagacé, Opéra de Paris, Fondation Orange
Media partners: Ludwig van Montréal, WKND RADIO
Lucia is made possible thanks to financial support from the Government of Quebec and the SODEC.
The OSM also thanks the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Government of Quebec.
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