Mahler: Symphony of a Thousand - An overflow of joy and optimism for the
season's last concert

MONTREAL, June 10 /CNW Telbec/ - On June 20, 2010, the Orchestre Métropolitain will perform its eighth and last concert of the 2009-2010 season - Mahler: Symphony of a Thousand - at 4:00 p.m. in salle Wilfrid-Pelletier of Place des Arts.

On this occasion, the Orchestre Métropolitain will join forces with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, a first auspicious collaboration. The 136 musicians will be joined by eight soloists and 315 choristers from seven choirs directed by Chorusmaster Duain Wolfe, all under the baton of superstar conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Although the stage will have slightly fewer than 1000 singers and musicians, the Maestro will marshal enormous forces:

    
    - two full orchestras                - ROBERT POMAKOV, bass
    - ERIN WALL, soprano                 - THE ORCHESTRE MÉTROPOLITAIN CHOIR
    - JONI HENSON, soprano               - THE OTTAWA CHORAL SOCIETY
    - NATHALIE PAULIN, soprano           - THE CANTATA SINGERS OF OTTAWA
    - SUSAN PLATTS, mezzo-soprano        - THE OTTAWA FESTIVAL CHORUS
    - ANITA KRAUSE, mezzo-soprano        - THE EWASHKO SINGERS
    - JOHN MAC MASTER, tenor             - THE BOYS AND GIRLS CHOIRS FROM
    - ALEXANDER DOBSON, baritone           CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL
    

"Spectacular", "colossal", "amazing" only begin to qualify Gustav Mahler's Symphony no. 8, the most gigantic scored work in the orchestral repertoire. The composer himself declared: "This is my finest work... Can you imagine the sound, the resonance of the entire Universe? These no longer are human voices, but planets and suns in full orbit." It is a colourful season, rich in emotion, which will be wrapped-up on June 20, with a concert modeled after the same distinctive attributes - impressive, striking and powerful. On the eve of its 30th season and at the end of this anniversary year where the Orchestra has had the pleasure of celebrating 10 years of collaboration with Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the public is invited to seize this ideal opportunity to rejoice.

The concert Mahler: Symphony of a Thousand will be presented in Montreal:

    
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    SALLE WILFRID-PELLETIER, PDA                     JUNE 20, 2010, 4:00 P.M.
    Tickets: 514.842.2112 / www.laplacedesarts.com   from 20$ to 65$
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    Preceded by two performances in Ottawa:

    SALLE SOUTHAM, Ottawa                            JUNE 16 & 17, 2010,
                                                     8:00 P.M.
    Tickets: 613.755.1111 / www.nac-cna.ca           from 19$ to 45$


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    On Wednesday, June 16, her Excellency Michaëlle Jean will present a
    Governor General's Performing Arts Award to Canadian superstar conductor
    Yannick Nézet-Séguin onstage at the National Arts Centre.

    The NAC Award honours outstanding artistic achievement in the previous
    year. In addition to a commemorative medallion struck by the Royal
    Canadian Mint and a cash award of $25,000, Maestro Nézet-Séguin will
    receive an original piece of artwork designed by Canadian ceramic artist
    Paula Murray of Chelsea, Quebec.
    The Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Gala was held at the
    National Arts Centre on May 1, 2010. Unable to attend due to a scheduling
    conflict, Yannick Nézet-Séguin will receive this coveted honour at the
    NAC on June 16, during a short ceremony (including a short film produced
    by the National Film Board of Canada) celebrating the Maestro's career
    before the concert.

    For more details on the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards visit
    www.ggpaa.ca
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The Orchestre Métropolitain wishes to thank Hydro Québec, presenter of the concert, as well as the CAM, the CALQ and the CCA, governmental partners.

For further information: tickets or interviews: Irénidice Morin, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, 514.598.0870 ext. 27, [email protected]