The Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal Sets Summer 2016 Season

The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, its music director, Kent Nagano, and France Beaudoin, spokesperson for the OSM's summer programming, invite families and music lovers of all ages to celebrate classical music on the occasion of what has become an unmissable event of the summer season.

From August 10 to 13, the OSM is performing a veritable musical marathon with the 5th edition of the OSM Couche-Tard Classical Spree, an urban rendezvous now an integral part of Montréal's festival season.

"We are delighted to note that our grand celebration of classical music at the heart of the metropolis is more anticipated than ever," stated Kent Nagano, music director of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. "It has quickly become a must-see and must-hear tradition of the summer season. We invite you, music lovers of all ages, amateur and connoisseur, to come out and celebrate Montréal's festival season in a convivial and casual atmosphere. Join us at the OSM Classical Spree for four wonderful days of musical discovery in the heart of the city!"

"Couche-Tard is excited to be partnering with this great music event, which has become a summer staple," declared Alain Bouchard, founder and executive chairman of the board of Alimentation Couche-Tard. "As a corporate citizen, it's important for us to be involved in culture, which is a major element in the economic and social dynamic. And it's therefore a natural for Couche-Tard to support the OSM and talents from here and elsewhere, great masters as well as emerging young artists. Enjoy this wonderful experience as a family: it will leave you with beautiful memories!"

The Orchestra is proud to now be an affiliated member of the Major International Events Network (MIEN).

Furthermore, the tradition of free concerts in metropolitan-area parks continues in July. With the series The OSM in the Parks with SiriusXM in collaboration with BMO, the Orchestra is making a stop in Rigaud and in Brossard for two evenings hosted by France Beaudoin and led by Dina Gilbert, the OSM's assistant conductor.

The Festival de Lanaudière also figures on the itinerary: the OSM will perform there on two occasions in the Amphithéâtre Fernand-Lindsay under the direction of Kent Nagano. And a reminder lastly that the Orchestra will be taking part in the FrancoFolies de Montréal with the concert Gainsbourg symphonique under the direction of Simon Leclerc, associate conductor for the OSM Pop series.

the OSM Couche-Tard Classical Spree - THE festival GROWS FOR ITS 5TH Edition

Big kickoff at Montreal's Olympic Park with Galaxy of Heroes

The Olympic Park presents the OSM on the Esplanade Financière Sun Life

Wednesday, August 10 - 8 p.m.

This year, as all eyes turn towards the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Kent Nagano and the OSM are observing in music a key moment in our history, a true sparkplug in the world of sport. The year 2016 marks the 40th anniversary of the Games held in Montréal, in 1976 (the first in Canada's history), and the birth of the Olympic Park. With a program that includes Gustav Holst's The Planets, Galaxy of Heroes is inspired by great human achievements, paying tribute to the athletes who left their mark on us and who inspire us today.

A grand scale orchestral event imbued with the Olympic spirit, and with the participation of Olympic athletes and some 100 young athletes from the younger generation in Quebec and projections on a giant screen.

"In 2015, close to 45,000 people gathered for the free grand concert conducted by Maestro Nagano on the Esplanade Financière Sun Life to thrill to the sound of the OSM. 40 years after its construction, the Olympic Park remains a key spot in the city for enjoying unforgettable moments," declared Michel Labrecque, president and director-general of the Olympic Park.?

A flurry of 30 concerts at Place des Arts

Friday, August 12 - Starting at 7 p.m. | Saturday, August 13 - Starting at 10:30 a.m.

The OSM Couche-Tard Classical Spree offers a marathon of 30 concerts of 45 minutes beginning at $10 and accessible to everyone. Over 200 musicians will perform in 4 halls at Place des Arts, a proud partner. Great names on the music scene from here and elsewhere will play with orchestra, in solo recitals or in chamber-music ensembles. Also including world music and youth concerts, the music program features young performers whose careers are flourishing as well as great established masters, all of it designed to offer the audience performances of the highest quality there is and a complete musical panorama.

Kent Nagano will be conducting 7 concerts, including two consisting of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, programs devoted to Mozart, Vivaldi and Ravel, as well as the Saint-Saëns "Organ" Symphony, which recently earned the OSM a Juno Award. And what better than Chariots of Fire and Bruch's passionate Violin Concerto no. 1 as performed by Pinchas Zukerman to launch this marathon of concerts in heroic fashion?

Among those here to perform will be pianists Nelson Freire, Serhiy Salov, Charles Richard?Hamelin and Gilles Vonsattel, violinist Arabella Steinbacher, cellists Amanda Forsyth and Adolfo Gutiérrez Arenas, mandolinist Avi Avital, tenor Michael Schade, and sopranos Sarah Wegener, France Bellemare and Marianne Fiset.

OSM musicians are also performing as soloists or in a chamber setting. Among those may be mentioned Andrew Wan, concertmaster; Marianne Dugal, 2nd associate concertmaster; Neal Gripp, principal viola; Timothy Hutchins, principal flute; Todd Cope, principal clarinet; Alain Desgagné, associate clarinet; Paul Merkelo, principal trumpet; Catherine Turner, 2nd horn; Olga Gross, piano; and Jean-Willy Kunz, organist in residence. Additionally, the winner of the 2015 OSM Manulife Competition, pianist Scott MacIsaac, will appear in recital.

Audiences may rediscover young musicians seen on ICI Radio-Canada Télé in Virtuose: le spectacle, with Gregory Charles as host and performer, while National Youth Orchestra Canada will wind up its 2016 tour at Maison symphonique de Montréal under the direction of Ward Stare. A concert with the percussion quartet TorQ along with an amusing production from Jeunesses musicales Canada, Les puces de Stradivarius (Stradivarius's Wood Fleas), are part of the young-audience program.

New feature this year! For all concerts, tickets at $10 for those 17 and under.

Adult prices: $10, $20, $30 and $40 (depending on the concerts, plus taxes)

Free entertainment for the entire family at Place des Arts

Throughout the OSM Couche-Tard Classical Spree Festival, free entertainment for all will be presented inside Place des Arts, from one end to the other.

§ Stingray Brava Stage: on the program, music performances by young artists, discussions hosted by Katerine Verebely, the Conductor 101 workshop presented by OSM assistant conductor Dina Gilbert, and a special edition of Dis-moi tout devoted to classical music and hosted by France Beaudoin.

§ ICI Musique Zone: hosts Marie-Christine Trottier and Katerine Verebely interview talented musicians and prominent guests for a special program broadcast live on ICI Musique.

§ Maestro Experience - Air Canada: the first pan-Canadian interactive concert! The public will get the chance to play conductor, for the length of one excerpt.

§ Yamaha Space: over 50 musical instruments along with hi-fi systems will be available to the public. Music performances will also be offered.

§ Domtar Artists Area: discussions with artists taking part in the OSM Couche-Tard Classical Spree and autograph sessions in the signature zone presented by Domtar.

§ Children's Zone: a corner where little ones can discover books and discs relating to music, feed their imagination during story hour, and do-it-yourself. In collaboration with Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec.

§ OSM Boutique: to pick up albums by Classical Spree artists and articles with OSM markings.

§ CISM Space: a special program broadcast live from the Classical Spree.

a première!: OUTDOOR PROGRAM OF THE OSM Couche-tard Classical Spree ON THE Parterre OF Quartier des spectacles

Organ and the silver screen... under the stars

Thursday, August 11 - 6:30 p.m.

To inaugurate this new branch of the OSM Classical Spree, the public is invited to an evening of cinema under the stars and the initial hearing of a work. The evening will be hosted by France Beaudoin.

First to be heard, as a world premiere, is an electroacoustic composition by Robert Normandeau. This new work, marking the 50 years of the Montréal Métro, is presented in association with the STM, which will be observing this anniversary year with multiple celebrations and activities for Montrealers, including this very special evening.

Movie comedies, like For Heaven's Sake, the film smash featuring the inimitable Harold Lloyd, will be screened and accompanied live by a soundtrack improvised by Philippe Bélanger at the controls of the Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique.* So that the audience does not miss anything, the organist's performance will be retransmitted, from Maison symphonique, on a giant screen.

As a prelude to this original evening, France Beaudoin will interview Philippe Bélanger, recognized for his talents as an improviser, as well as composer Robert Normandeau, who will discuss his new work.

*The Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique was generously offered to the OSM by Mrs. Jacqueline Desmarais.

Mozart's Magic Flute in the open air

Friday, August 12 - 6:30 p.m.

A special place for opera, with for the first time outdoors in Montréal a projection on a giant screen from the prestigious Metropolitan Opera! The fanciful characters, colorful voices, original costumes and giant marionettes of this exceptional production of Mozart's Magic Flute will bewitch young and old.

Opera in an English version with French subtitles - In association with Cineplex.

To begin this magical evening, opera arias and melodies will be performed on the outdoor stage. A unique event for the whole family!

Spotlight on Youth and Radio-Classique ambiance

Saturday, August 13 - beginning at 10: 30 a.m.

This great celebration of music that the OSM Couche-Tard Classical Spree comprises would not be the same without the participation of the upcoming generation of musicians. The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal is happy to be hosting 3 orchestras of young artists coming to share their passion for music:

§ the Orchestre à vent du Collège Notre-Dame;

§ the Ensemble à vents de Sherbrooke;

§ the Orchestre symphonique des jeunes de la Montérégie.

The Orchestra thanks the Friends of the OSM for their contribution to the success of the Spotlight on Youth day.

Performances will alternate with programming of Radio?Classique, which will be broadcasting among other things a live show hosted by Marc Hervieux that includes interviews with artists.

For picnicking and enjoying Montréal flavors throughout the open-air program, food trucks will be on hand, and there will be a refreshment area and a Couche-Tard space.

The Nussia and André Aisenstadt Foundation, the Mirella & Lino Saputo Foundation and BMO Financial Group are happy to be contributing financially to the presentation of the outdoor activities of the OSM Couche-Tard Classical Spree via the "Branché sur la communauté" fund of the Fondation de l'OSM.

THE OSM IS PARTICIPATING AGAIN IN THE FrancoFolies de Montréal: Gainsbourg symphonique

Friday and Saturday, June 10 and 11 - 8 p.m.

To mark the 25th anniversary of the death of Serge Gainsbourg, the associate conductor for the OSM Pop series, Simon Leclerc, will lead the OSM alongside Jane Birkin, muse and companion of the late French singer-songwriter. In the first part of these evenings, presented at Maison symphonique de Montréal, Arthur H, accompanied by the OSM, will perform the complete Histoire de Melody Nelson, a Gainsbourg masterpiece.

Tickets available from the Place des Arts box office at 514 842-2112 / 1 866 842-2112

THE OSM IN THE parKs WITH Siriusxm IN COLLABORATION WITH bmo:

SYMPHONIC RUSSIAN TALES

2 free concerts under the stars in Rigaud and Brossard

Tuesday and Wednesday, July 26 and 27 - 7:30 p.m.

Faithful to a tradition begun in 1938 by the first music director of the OSM, Wilfrid Pelletier, the Orchestra will make a stop on Tuesday, July 26 at Parc Chartier-De Lotbinière in Rigaud and on Wednesday, July 27 at Parc Poly-Aréna in Brossard.

France Beaudoin will be the host for these two evenings in the open air. On the program for these concerts devoted to Russian music, works by Glinka, Borodin, Glazunov, Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky. For the occasion, OSM musicians will be conducted for a second consecutive year by assistant conductor Dina Gilbert. The concert will also feature the talent of violinist Timothy Chooi, winner of the OSM Competition in 2010.

BMO is a proud collaborating partner of The OSM in the Parks. At the concerts, BMO colors will be deployed on an illuminated decoration, and frozen treats will be offered to spectators. The audience will be able to meet BMO agents to take part in a contest and be eligible to enjoy a VIP evening at Maison symphonique de Montréal.

"BMO is proud to be a partner of the OSM, a Montréal institution that contributes significantly to the cultural vitality of our city," said L. Jacques Ménard, President of BMO Financial Group Québec and Chairman of BMO Nesbitt Burns. "BMO and the OSM will offer again this year a series of concerts in the parks during the month of July where citizens of the area will be delighted to discover and live the musical experience that the OSM provides."

Kent Nagano AND THE OSM: 2 EVENINGS IN Lanaudière

Friday and Saturday, August 5 and 6 - 8 p.m.

As part of the Festival international de Lanaudière, Kent Nagano and the OSM will perform first on Friday, August 5 at the Amphithéâtre Fernand-Lindsay with the silver medalist and winner of the Krystian Zimerman Award winner at the International Chopin Competition, Charles Richard?Hamelin, in Brahms's First Concerto. Schumann's Third Symphony, "Rhenish," completes the program.

The following day, Saturday, August 6, Schubert's "Unfinished" Symphony will be paired with another work never completed by its composer, the Mozart Requiem, with the musicians and Chorus of the OSM, soprano Sarah Wegener, mezzo-soprano Michèle Losier, tenor Michael Schade and bass Alexander Tsymbalyuk. That quartet of singers will also be heard during the OSM Classical Spree, in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.

Tickets available from the Festival de Lanaudière box office at 1 800 561-4343 / 450 759-4343

Whether in an urban environment or a more rustic setting, indoors or in the open air, new music lovers and connoisseurs alike will be delighted to have so many opportunities to be part of the musical rendezvous offered by the OSM during the upcoming summer season.

The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal wishes to thank the Secrétariat à la région métropolitaine du ministère des Affaires municipales et de l'Occupation du territoire and the Ville de Montréal.

The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal is presented by Hydro-Québec.

Title partner of the OSM Classical Spree: Couche-Tard

Privileged partner: Place des Arts

Zone partners: Air Canada, Yamaha Canada Music Ltd., Stingray Brava, Domtar, Ici Musique, Radio-Classique

Official OSM suppliers: Groupe ABP, Solotech

Associate partners: Complexe Desjardins, ESKA

The OSM Couche-Tard Classical Spree benefits from financial support from Tourisme Montréal.

The big free concert on the Esplanade Financière Sun Life at Olympic Park is presented in association with SiriusXM and Radio-Canada.

The Nussia and André Aisenstadt Foundation, the Mirella & Lino Saputo Foundation and BMO Financial Group are pleased to contribute financially to the presentation of the outdoor activities of the OSM Couche-Tard Classical Spree via the "Branché sur la communauté" fund of the Fondation de l'OSM.

The OSM in the Parks with SiriusXM in collaboration with BMO Financial Group.

The Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique was generously offered to the OSM by Mrs. Jacqueline Desmarais.

Tickets for the OSM Couche-Tard Classical Spree on sale
Tuesday, May 24 at 1 p.m.

at osm.ca or by calling OSM customer service

at 514 842-9951, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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