Name: Songs of Hope
Start: 2026-06-14T15:00:00
Location: Place des Arts

Embark on a journey through time and sound with the Orchestre Métropolitain's choral series at Place des Arts, Montreal. From Mahler's vivid depiction of creation in Symphony No. 3 to a tribute to André Gagnon's iconic Neiges, and a rich blend of German waltzes and Latin psalms, culminating in Songs of Hope, this series features renowned artists like Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Joyce DiDonato, and Léa Moisan-Perrier. These events promise an exploration of humanity, cultural legacy, and the collective aspiration for a brighter future.

A Symphony of Colors, Heritage, and Hope: Orchestre Métropolitain's Choral Masterpieces

Step into a world where music paints vivid landscapes and evokes deep emotions, as the Orchestre Métropolitain presents a series of transformative choral events. From Mahler's symphonic grandeur to the heartfelt tributes to André Gagnon, and the rhythmic exploration of Stravinsky and Brahms, these performances promise an unforgettable journey through sound. Conducted by maestros Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Léa Moisan-Perrier, these concerts celebrate the power of music to connect, inspire, and reflect our shared human experience.

Exploring the Soul of Music: A Journey with Orchestre Métropolitain

Join Orchestre Métropolitain at Place des Arts, Montreal, for a series of captivating choral events that celebrate the fusion of classical and contemporary music. From Mahler's evocative Third Symphony led by Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the celebrated voice of Joyce DiDonato, to a heartfelt tribute to André Gagnon's iconic 'Neiges' album, these performances promise to bridge cultural legacies. Highlights include Stravinsky's rhythmic 'Symphony of Psalms' and Florence Price's 'Song of Hope,' each reflecting a vibrant tapestry of sound and community.

A Symphony of Culture: Celebrating Mahler, André Gagnon, and Beyond with Orchestre Métropolitain

Montreal's Place des Arts is set to host a remarkable series of concerts brought to life by the Orchestre Métropolitain. From the profound landscapes of Mahler's Third Symphony painted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Joyce DiDonato, to a tribute for André Gagnon's 50-year-old 'Neiges,' these events promise a blend of classical and cultural reflection. Each performance, whether celebrating German Waltzes or evoking hope with Florence Price's moving compositions, offers audiences a rich tapestry of musical storytelling.

A Symphony of Celebrations: Mahler, Gagnon, Stravinsky, and Songs of Hope

Montreal's Place des Arts becomes the stage for a symphonic journey through time, emotions, and cultures as Orchestre Métropolitain presents four captivating events. From Mahler's grand Third Symphony led by Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Joyce DiDonato, to the 50th anniversary celebration of André Gagnon's 'Neiges', each performance offers unique narratives. The Choeur Métropolitain's 'German Waltzes and Latin Psalms' and 'Songs of Hope' highlight global influences and aspirations. Dive into the rich tapestries of choral music as artists bring to life compositions that transcend borders and eras.

A Symphony of Heritage: Celebrating Music's Timeless Compositions

Dive into the world of music and stories with Orchestre Métropolitain's thrilling lineup for 2026. From the timeless tales of 'The Feather and the Turtle' to the evocative symphonies of Tchaikovsky and Grieg, each event promises a unique exploration of creativity and cultural heritage. Renowned conductors and performers, including Kensho Watanabe, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, and Michelle Cann, bring to life forgotten masterpieces, vibrant choral works, and the timeless allure of symphonic music. Join us as we explore the highlights and memorable moments that defined these extraordinary events.

Exploring the Symphony of Stories: A Journey Through Orchestre Métropolitain's 2026 Events

Hélène Grimaud

Yannick Nézet-Séguin

Chœur Métropolitain

Orchestre Métropolitain

A linear trajectory between two stars who continue to shine brightly in the highest musical firmament, the ideal setting for a captivating encounter between Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the Orchestre Métropolitain, and the magnificent violinist Veronika Eberle, returning to the Festival de Lanaudière.

Nézet-Séguin and Eberle: Romantic Ecstasy

Festival de Lanaudière

Following his triumphs with Aida and Tristan und Isolde, Yannick Nézet-Séguin brings us another grand Verdi opera this summer, blending tragic love, political intrigue, and a dark, fantastical atmosphere. Accompanied by the Orchestre Métropolitain and an exceptional vocal cast, Yannick Nézet-Séguin brings the 49th Festival de Lanaudière to a close, just weeks before inaugurating a new production of Macbeth at the Metropolitan Opera.

Macbeth by Nézet-Séguin

Yannick Nézet-Séguin takes us to the heart of an expansive soundscape with one of the most powerful works in the repertoire: Holst’s The Planets. From the warlike percussion of “Mars” to the ethereal female voices of “Neptune,” each planet reveals a unique atmosphere. This masterpiece showcases the full richness and variety of orchestral timbres in a journey of contrasting emotions.

Yannick Conducts The Planets

Place des Arts

Under the baton of Polish conductor Anna Sułkowska-Migoń, three composers from a time of upheaval are brought together in a program where music becomes a spark of freedom. Composed at the pivotal moment of his return to the Soviet Union, Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet emerged from the tension between personal artistic ambition and political constraint, carried by expressive melodies and a strikingly modern tone.

Romeo, Juliet and the Struggles of an Era

Église Sainte Suzanne

Maison de la culture Ahuntsic

Discover the elegant, captivating world of Mel Bonis as the OM’s musicians continue their exploration of great women composers. Written in the early 20th century, Bonis’s works for flute and strings combine lyricism and a distinctly French sensitivity. From intimate miniatures to major quartets, her enchanting chamber music is gradually claiming its rightful place on the classical stage.

Hidden Gems by Mel Bonis

Outremont Theatre

Symphony of Life is an orchestral and cinematic tribute to the beauty of the living world. For the film’s world premiere, presented in concert, Anaïs Larocque’s evocative music, created in close collaboration with filmmaker Marie-Julie Dallaire, will be performed by the OM under the baton of Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Imagined by explorer Mario Cyr, who brings the film’s magnificent underwater imagery to life, this sensory and moving immersion into the animal world presents an egalitarian vision of the coexistence of all living beings on Earth.

Symphony of Life

Some figures endure through the centuries, inspiring the greatest artists. Manon Lescaut, the heroine of the Abbé Prévost novel, embodies tragic passion: smitten and seductive, yet doomed to a cruel fate. Soprano Sarah Dufresne brings this legendary figure to life by combining arias from two famous adaptations, by Auber and Massenet, to map out her psychological journey.

Heroines and Lyrical Passions

Église catholique Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs

Mercier Public Library

Paroisse St-Joachim de Pointe-Claire

This grand choral concert takes audiences on a winter journey blending celebration and enchantment. From the first notes of Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel to Rimsky-Korsakov’s captivating Christmas Eve, the music transports the audience to a magical world. Berlioz, Vaughan Williams and Price add pastoral warmth and comfort with timeless melodies like “Greensleeves.” With Mendelssohn and Rutter, audiences are enveloped in radiant music that celebrates the spirit of Christmas.

Choral Christmas at the Basilica

Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal

The highly anticipated Holiday Melodies returns to the OM! Conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, this festive program explores the meaning of the holidays across generations, from timeless classics to today’s standards, including jazz, gospel and Christmas melodies. Featuring exceptional artists such as Louis-Jean Cormier, Dominique Fils-Aimé and Elisabeth St-Gelais, this joyful and moving concert celebrates all the magic of the season.

Holiday Melodies

Can love withstand the inevitable passage of time? Absent from Montreal stages for more than thirty years, Richard Strauss’s operatic masterpiece Der Rosenkavalier returns in a concert version co-produced with the Opéra de Montréal and the Orchestre Métropolitain. Nostalgic for Viennese waltzes as well as for Mozartian comedy, Strauss unfolds music of elegance and emotional richness that continues to captivate audiences.

Der Rosenkavalier

Step into the world of Drôlement débrouillards with biologist and comedian Vikie Pedneault, as the Maison symphonique becomes the beloved Télé-Québec host’s next playground. For the first time, she will conduct a symphony orchestra, her ultimate dream, leading the OM in a performance filled with emotion. Will she succeed? With her quick wit and scientific precision, Vikie will work with Benoit Gauthier to make 60 musicians vibrate as one… and avoid any wrong notes! Combining classics and brilliant surprises, this concert will delight audiences of all ages.

Drôlement débrouillards

Step into the world of Drôlement débrouillards with biologist and comedian Vikie Pedneault, as the Maison symphonique becomes the beloved Télé-Québec host’s next playground. For the first time, she will conduct a symphony orchestra—her ultimate dream—leading the OM in a performance filled with emotion. Will she succeed? With her quick wit and scientific precision, Vikie will work with Benoit Gauthier to make 60 musicians vibrate as one… and avoid any wrong notes! Combining classics and brilliant surprises, this concert will delight audiences of all ages.

Drôlement débrouillards (School matinees)

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.

Songs of Hope

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