(Philadelphia) The Orchester Métropolitain has barely returned from the United States when another trip is already looming. “We will have a big tour in Europe next year,” confirms Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Not all locations can be revealed yet, except the Philharmonie de Paris, where the Montreal ensemble will perform on June 24, 2025.
Read “The Metropolitan Orchestra on tour: the Nézet-Séguin star”
So this could only be the beginning for the orchestra which has just completed its third tour in seven years? ” I think so. Not I think, it annoys me saying that. Yes, it’s the beginning! », Tells us with a smile Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who received us in his office at Verizon Hall in Philadelphia just before the Orchester Métropolitain (OM) concert on Tuesday.
He believes that if the first two tours were tests and this one is a continuation, the Orchester Métropolitain is more than ready to “take its personality” to other stages in the world.
“This orchestra has something to say,” he says, explaining that he was just waiting for the right moment for it to happen. “When I arrived in 2000, there were almost no records. We started by increasing that. The name of the orchestra began to circulate, as did mine as individual conductor, so we said to ourselves that we needed to broaden our pool. Because every artist feels this mission to reach out to people. »
The Montreal chef explains that this tour was organized quite quickly, looking at the gaps in his schedule which is, as we can guess, busy.
When the Carnegie invitation came, I asked, “Is March 6 okay?” The answer was yes, so I said OK, we’ll find dates. And we succeeded.
Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Yannick Nézet-Séguin is one of the most sought-after conductors in the classical world, in addition to being artistic director of two of the greatest orchestras in the world, the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Perhaps what has changed in recent years is his star status, which has exploded. The Grammys piling up, the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival for the film Maestro, by Bradley Cooper, with whom he collaborated… He will even be at the Oscars on Sunday evening!
“Bradley Cooper came here a lot, he even sat on the same couch as you! “, he said, laughing. But the American actor did not say a word the last time he saw him in his office: too moved by Mahler’s Fifth, he only cried while hugging him.
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, LA PRESS
Yannick Nézet-Séguin in interview
“Fabien [Voisin, la PDG de l’Orchestre Métropolitain] tells me that, sometimes, that people see me as a jet set, a superstar. But I have difficulty imagining that. I remain the same person. » It is in fact an absolute priority that his relationship with the musicians does not change.
Staying somewhere for 25 years… it builds bonds that are indestructible.
Yannick Nézet-Séguin
The aura of the “founding members” of OM, whose myth is very present in the orchestra even among the youngest, also contributes to creating a real sense of belonging. “OM’s mission, basically, was local. It taught me that. We developed together in values. »
But what is clear is that Yannick Nézet-Séguin would not take the orchestra on tour… if he did not know it was capable of meeting expectations. ” Absolutely. » He does it because he knows the individual talents and the immense capacity of adaptation of the group, but also this vision of the orchestra for which each listener is important.
“That humility is an essential ingredient to his success, to what people feel when they hear him. They might say I’m not interested in playing in the parks anymore, I just want to go to Carnegie. There are musicians like that. Not OM. »
Moreover, shortly after its return to Montreal, the ensemble will play in churches and small halls in Saint-Laurent, Saint-Léonard and Mercier. The spirit of the Orchester Métropolitain is not about to die out. The beauty is that thanks to his leader, he will only shine more.
PHOTO MARTY SOHL, PROVIDED BY MARTY SOHL/THE METROPOLITAN OPERA
The soprano Nadine Sierra in a scene from Romeo and Juliet, by Gounod, presented at the Met in New York since Thursday
Romeo and Juliet at the Met
Following Yannick Nézet-Séguin for just a few days gives a little insight into the speed at which his life unfolds. Thursday, the day after the Carnegie Hall concert with the Orchester Métropolitain, it was in fact the premiere of Romeo and Juliet, by Gounod, at the Met, a masterpiece of almost three hours that he masterfully directed in front of a chic and demanding audience.
Even if we know the prestige that the position of artistic director of this institution represents, seeing the scale of the production, the imposing sets, and the number of people on stage, gives a small idea of all the expectations that come with such a responsibility. His human and warm approach to music is all the more commendable, and the comparison with the modesty of the Orchester Métropolitain is impressive.
The deputy general director of the OM, Martin Hudon, is full of praise for the talent of the conductor, who has evolved with the orchestra, and for his human qualities.
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, LA PRESS
Martin Hudon, deputy general director of the Metropolitan Orchestra, at Carnegie Hall in New York
He will look for the best, deep down. We don’t have the choice to want to surpass ourselves, whether it’s the musicians or the administration.
Martin Hudon
His approach to diversity and inclusion is influencing the entire classical music world at the moment, adds Martin Hudon, who recalls that Yannick Nézet-Séguin could have said a long time ago that Montreal was no longer big enough to him. However, he decided to sign with OM… a contract for life, which says a lot about his confidence.
“OM is like a band,” says Martin Hudon, talking about this demanding but joyful tour. And this gang of friends finds themselves going to the best venues because they have this leader. There is something to be proud of. »