Yannick Nézet-Séguin, head of shared custody

The Philadelphia Orchestra’s most recent visit to Montreal dates back to 20 years ago. Invited by the Orchester Métropolitain, the renowned American ensemble will perform on April 19 at the Maison symphonique, with its conductor… Yannick Nézet-Séguin at its head.

The Quebec maestro lives, in a way, in shared custody between Montreal, Philadelphia and New York, where he directs the Metropolitan Opera (MET) orchestra. For Fabienne Voisin, CEO of the Orchester Métropolitain (OM), and Matías Tarnopolsky, who holds the same position in Philadelphia, the fact that Yannick Nézet-Séguin has several commitments does not hurt. On the contrary.

“He puts his heart, his mind and his soul in the three institutions,” judges Matías Tarnopolsky, who also notes that in the three cases, Yannick Nézet-Séguin has built a long-term relationship.

“The Metropolitan Orchestra is very important to him, it influences his artistic life enormously, and we benefit from it in Philadelphia,” he believes. But he also has a deep connection to the city. He feels at home here too. » Fabienne Voisin agrees.

We met Fabienne Voisin and Matías Tarnopolsky in the latter’s offices, at Verizon Hall, in Philadelphia, as part of OM’s tour of the United States at the beginning of March. The Philadelphia Orchestra’s trip to Montreal therefore takes place in this context of reciprocity between the two institutions, which do not share the same history – one is 125 years old, the other, 40! –, but who have the same desire for innovation.

“The Philadelphia Orchestra is one of the most daring. It’s a model that we all want to follow,” emphasizes Fabienne Voisin. “They are two different orchestras in the way they are organized, but with the same desire to make great music,” adds Matías Tarnopolsky. I admire the Orchester Métropolitain and its commitment to more adventurous programs. »

The two orchestras have Yannick Nézet-Séguin in common, whose conducting aura is magnetic. This is even one of the reasons why Fabienne Voisin, who was general director of the Orchester national d’Île-de-France for 11 years, decided to move to Montreal in December 2022. “I chose the OM for the quality of the orchestra, but also because I wanted to work with Yannick. »

Same scenario for Matías Tarnopolsky, who became CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra in August 2018, six years after the appointment of Yannick Nézet-Séguin as artistic director. “I too, I came for him, among other things,” he confirms when Fabienne Voisin asks him the question.

Diversity

Casually, the name of Yannick Nézet-Séguin has become synonymous with a vector of change, for example by bringing diversity to the repertoire played. As proof, OM made its American tour by including in its program an original work by indigenous artist Cris Derksen. With its electroacoustic effects on the cello, but also with the raw emotion that emanated from it, the piece was a great success in front of each of the audiences where it was presented.

For its part, the Philadelphia Orchestra will play in Montreal on Concerto^o 2 by Rachmaninoff – a classic, since the Russian composer collaborated extensively with this ensemble. But the other work chosen is a concerto by Florence Price, an African-American composer whom the Quebec conductor has helped to bring out of oblivion in recent years – his recording of two of her symphonies with the Philadelphia Orchestra gave him Elsewhere earned a Grammy in 2022.

Speaking of a changing world, the name of the Philadelphia Orchestra’s concert hall, Verizon Hall, will become Marian Anderson Hall as of June 8. It’s a long-awaited tribute to the great African-American contralto, who made her mark in the city by fighting for civil rights.

“We are very proud of this decision. Everyone was there for the announcement, the mayor of the city, the lieutenant governor of the state. And, of course, Yannick was 100% behind this idea. »

Fabienne Voisin also believes that Yannick Nézet-Séguin is one of the people who are changing the symphonic and opera world. “I just came from Europe. I saw his desire not to play only the 10 or 15 pieces that everyone wants to hear, his desire to tell us that the diversity of the repertoire can shed light on the problems we have at the moment in society. It shows us all the richness of this diversity, and all the beauty. »

Exchange

For Matías Tarnopolsky, Yannick Nézet-Séguin is literally a citizen of the world, who lives without borders. It is this “international vision” which gives it its openness and freshness.

“Imagine, he’s one of the best in the world, and the places where you can see him directing are New York, Philadelphia… and Montreal! », exclaims Fabienne Voisin.

Both are very happy that this exchange between the conductor’s two musical families is taking place. “We like to celebrate the artistic families to which he belongs,” says Matías Tarnopolsky. OM came to play here in 2019, and it was wonderful. When the opportunity presented itself for 2024, we jumped on it! And they are kind enough to invite us in turn. »

During this tour, the Philadelphia Orchestra will also visit Ottawa and Toronto. The ensemble has not played in Canada for 20 years, recalls Matías Tarnopolsky. “And our first visit to Montreal dates back to February 1924, so 100 years ago! » Two families, two stories, one leader: this is the beauty of music which creates sometimes surprising, but solid, links.

OM hosts the Philadelphia Orchestra on Friday, April 19, at 7:30 p.m., at the Maison symphonique de Montréal.

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