Name: Christmas Oratorio
Start: 2025-12-17T19:30:00
Location: Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal

Embarking on a symphonic journey, Orchestre Métropolitain presents a series of compelling events in 2025-2026, each a unique celebration of music and culture. From the charm of Belle Époque Paris to the thrilling rhythms of Sibelius and the cinematic scores that define British cinema, each event offers a distinctive experience. Renowned conductors and soloists join forces to bring these compositions to life, highlighting both classical and contemporary masterpieces. Dive into this rich tapestry of sound that transcends boundaries and captivates audiences across the globe.

An Odyssey of Sound: A Year of Musical Mastery with Orchestre Métropolitain

Prepare to embark on a musical journey through the cultural landscapes of the past and present with the Orchestre Métropolitain's 2025-2026 season. From Paris's Belle Époque charm at the turn of the 20th century to the vibrant dreams of young artists shaping the future, this season promises a rich tapestry of experiences. With performances spanning continents and centuries, audiences will be treated to works by Mahler, Sibelius, and Bach, among others. Join us as we explore the profound connections between music, history, and human emotion.

Orchestre Métropolitain's 2025-2026 Season: A Symphony of Cultural Narratives

The Orchestre Métropolitain's upcoming season promises an extraordinary journey through a diverse musical landscape. From Beck's live orchestral performances to a heartfelt tribute to André Gagnon, each event offers unique experiences. Enjoy the symphonic artistry of Mahler, the exploration of Sibelius's legacy, and thrilling cinematic scores. Join us in celebrating the timeless influence of classical music and its innovative fusion with contemporary works, all while embracing cultural diversity. Discover how these performances aim to entertain, inspire, and connect audiences with art and heritage.

Orchestre Métropolitain: A Symphony of Creativity and Culture

Yannick Nézet-Séguin

Julie Boulianne

Frédéric Antoun

Anna-Sophie Neher

Geoffroy Salvas

Orchestre Métropolitain

Neiges is turning 50! To honour the anniversary of this iconic album, the OM presents a vibrant tribute to composer André Gagnon, a treasured gem of Quebec’s rich musical heritage. An accomplished pianist and outspoken advocate for Quebec culture, André Gagnon dedicated his career to bridging the worlds of classical and popular music. Neiges is a shining example of this vision, featuring the Beethoven-inspired “Dédéthoven,” the heartfelt “Chanson pour Renée Claude,” and the delightful “Petit concerto pour Carignan et orchestre,” dedicated to Quebec’s legendary fiddler, Jean Carignan.

Neiges: The OM Celebrates André Gagnon

Place des Arts

Bach’s genius is on full display in this monumental masterpiece, composed of six cantatas that recount the story of the Nativity. Its powerful arias rise like majestic columns, its intricate vocalizations act as finely sculpted ornaments, and its clarity illuminates the stained glass and brings the colours to life.

Christmas Oratorio

Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal

The most powerful soundtracks can stand alone without any visual support. They come alive, becoming characters in their own right, and hearing a few bars can instantly transport us back to a favourite scene.

Symphonic Tales of British Cinema: From Hercule Poirot to Harry Potter

Centre Leonardo Da Vinci

Mozart never ceases to amaze! Alongside the famous Eine kleine Nachtmusik, the OM’s string players will perform a manuscript that was newly rediscovered in 2024. Prior to Mozart, Maddalena Sirmen was the first woman to publish string quartets. Fanny Mendelssohn followed in her footsteps with a magnificent quartet.

New Mozart

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

Long before Cinderella, The Fox and the Crow and The Flying Canoe, there was the Turtle. The clever and resourceful turtle has made off with a magical eagle feather—one that grants both the power and responsibility to pass down stories. Through the turtle’s courage, humans began to craft tales, myths and legends, passing them down to their children to ensure the traditions and wisdom of their ancestors would never be forgotten.

The Feather and the Turtle

What does the future hold? Whether it’s ill fate or good fortune, there’s no escaping it. Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 encapsulates the relentless force of destiny, shifting between calm and destruction. Conductor Kensho Watanabe, Yannick Nézet-Séguin’s first conducting student and one of the OM’s favourite conductors, brings his renowned sensitivity and versatility to this symphony.

Tchaikovsky’s Fifth

Église catholique Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs

Salle Marguerite-Bourgeoys

There is something truly magical about unearthing a long-forgotten masterpiece. As its notes come to life, suspense and wonder intertwine. We are witnessing history in the making—the discovery of a hidden treasure. With his baton, Yannick Nézet-Séguin breathes fresh energy into the evocative and nuanced music of French composer Rita Strohl, whose Symphony of the Forest has recently been rediscovered.

Echoes of the Forest

St. Sixtus Catholic Church

For the 10th edition of its Opus concert series, the Choeur Métropolitain presents great choral works by Stravinsky and Brahms, accompanied by two pianists. In his highly rhythmic Symphony of Psalms, Stravinsky drew inspiration from both the Eastern sounds of Byzantine music and the musical traditions of the Latin West, including Gregorian chant.

German Waltzes and Latin Psalms

Green cello, blue bassoon, yellow piccolo—the vibrant hues of French music unfold like a painting by Monet or Gauguin, capturing fleeting moments of magic, conjuring fairytale worlds and whisking us away to distant lands. Ravel’s Ma Mère l’Oye contains five movements inspired by well-known fairy tales, while Mel Bonis evokes a sensual, dreamlike world in her Rêve de Cléopâtre.

Colour Play

Collège Jean-Eudes

Mercier Public Library

Paroisse Notre Dame de l'Annonciation

Paroisse St-Joachim de Pointe-Claire

In the opening chords of his Piano Concerto, Grieg informs the audience that something extraordinary is about to unfold. With the iconic descending chordal motif, the formidable pianist Michelle Cann seizes attention in an instant. But first, conductor Lina González-Granados sets the stage with Grieg’s famous Peer Gynt Suite and the stirring Overture in D Minor by Croatian composer Dora Pejačević.

Grieg, Nordic Sun

Hope for a better, more united, more empathetic world inspired the programming of this concert, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. “I dare look up,” says Florence Price, the first African American composer, in her Song of Hope. Following in her footsteps, Margaret Bonds drew inspiration from the civil rights movement for her Montgomery Variations, dedicated to Martin Luther King.

Christmas Oratorio

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