The OM Over the Years

1979

A core group of four musicians (Hun Bang, Marc Bélanger, Jean-Pierre Carpentier, and Jean-Louis Gagnon) founds the 55-member Orchestre Les Variations. The founding members mount a series of three concerts under the direction of Marc Bélanger at the Expo-Théâtre at Man and his World. Their aim is to tap into the boundless energy and polyvalence of the musicians and their objective is to offer a wide range of musical styles to a broad public.

1980

At the instigation of Robert Savoie, Artistic Director of the Concerts Lachine, Les Variations becomes the official orchestra for Concerts Lachine, whose Chairman is Mr. Noël Spinelli.

1981

In order to reflect its public in the Greater Montreal area, the orchestra changes its name to Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal.

Denise Lupien is appointed as the Orchestra’s Principal Violin on July 31.

Presentation of the Orchestra’s first summer concerts (two concerts in August), an initiative of the Mayor of Lachine, Mr. Guy Descary.

The founding Director of the OM, Hun Bang, assumes the responsibilities of Director General; Marc Bélanger is Music Director until 1986, when he becomes Artistic Director for the 1986-87 season. Robert Savoie is named Founding Chairman of the Orchestra and continues to serve in that capacity until 1985.

1982

The City of Montreal engages the OM to perform two major concerts at Île Notre-Dame and five summer concerts at the Maurice-Richard Arena.

1983

The Orchestra accompanies the finalists of the Canadian Music Competition, held at the Expo-Théâtre.

1984

To celebrate the 450th anniversary of Jacques Cartier’s arrival in Canada, the Orchestra performs a concert entitled Musiques de France et du Canada, a Radio-Canada FM production. On this occasion, the orchestra is conducted by Marc Bélanger and the concert takes place at Montreal’s Église du Gesù.

1985

Clément Richard, Quebec’s Minister of Culture, awards the OM its first government grant.

New Chairman Pierre Dupuis plays a crucial promotional role in the Orchestra’s development and reputation. Board members include Gilles Vigneault, Joseph Rouleau, and Robert Savoie.

The Orchestra performs its first regular season beginning on October 21 at the Théâtre Maisonneuve of Place des Arts. The opening concert primarily features works by Beethoven (Concerto for Piano No. 3 with soloist Pierre Jasmin, and Symphony No. 5) and the Orchestra is conducted by Marc Bélanger. The concert also includes Antinomie by Quebec composer Jacques Hétu.

The Orchestra’s first regular season comprises four different concert series: A Classical Music series at Théâtre Maisonneuve; a Contemporary Music series at Salle Claude-Champagne; a Pops Concert series at the Plateau; and three off-series concerts at Théâtre Maisonneuve.

Thanks to the gracious collaboration of Guy Morin, at that time Director General of Place des Arts, and Neil Chotem, who obtains the support of Radio-Canada FM, the Orchestra is able to present two of the season’s concert series at Place des Arts.

1986

The Orchestre Métropolitain Choir is formed. The choir’s first conductor is Jacques Faubert.

Agnès Grossmann is appointed Music Director, Principal Conductor for the OM’s Classical Series, and Resident Conductor.

1987

Pierre Péladeau is appointed Chairman of the Orchestra’s Board of Directors.

Agnès Grossman is appointed Artistic Director.

Beginning of the Tournée dans l’Île series, an initiative of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Goyer, then Chairman of the Montreal Urban Community Arts Council.

Radio-Canada engages the Orchestra for four of its Grands Concerts broadcasts.

May 24 and 25: in collaboration with the Atelier lyrique de L’Opéra de Montréal, the Orchestra presents a concert version of Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro, directed by Raffi Armenian.

1992

First school matinees (entitled “Premières Alcan”).

1993

The Orchestra presents free summer concerts in Montreal parks. It also performs in the Metro (subway system).

1995

Joseph Rescigno is appointed Artistic Director.

1998

The Honourable Jean-Pierre Goyer becomes Chairman of the Board of the Orchestra (until 2006) and Director General (until 2002).

Inauguration of the Orchestra’s multi-disciplinary concert series.

2000

Yannick Nézet-Séguin is appointed Artistic Director.

2004

The Orchestra’s albums Nino Rota - La Strada and Mahler 4 appear on the Atma Classique record label.

2005

January: the Conseil québécois de la musique (Quebec Music Council) awards three Opus Prizes to the Orchestra and to its Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. The latter is named Performer of the Year.

March: Tour to Toronto, Washington, Chicago, and Montreal featuring Carmina Burana for orchestra and choir.

23 October: the record industry’s ADISQ awards the Orchestra a Felix Prize for Album of the Year in the category Classical Music, Orchestra and Large Ensemble.