Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the metropolitan orchestra and Pierre Lapointe: a sweet musical communion at the foot of Mount Royal

The temperature was perfect and lovers of classical music were very numerous on Wednesday at the foot of Mount Royal to attend this tradition that is the big open-air concert by Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the metropolitan orchestra.

This unique evening was hosted by Mariana Mazza (replacing Kim Thuy). The humorist mentioned his own pride as well as that of his mother, who immigrated from Lebanon and who was present in the crowd, to see his daughter raised in Montreal-North to animate a large concert of OM.

“It’s still incredible!” To all immigrants who are here today, continue to dream, the gang, “launched the 35 -year -old artist at the thousands of spectators sitting on folding chairs or on blankets placed on the gas hill.

Montreal skyscrapers slowly light up in the background, this tenth edition of OM at the foot of Mont-Royal started with the arrival of the long-awaited star conductor, Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

Dressed in a sleeveless jacket, beige pants and silver sneakers, OM artistic director for 25 years has made the crowd travel by directing the “Italian” symphony by Félix Mendelssohn.

Pleasure on stage

You have to see the smile and the little dance movements of the tattooed conductor when he directs his orchestra to understand how much he has fun on stage. And what about the happiness of attending an outdoor concert crowded with spectators in a delicious and respectful silence!

“Good evening, Montreal!” The sun that is gradually going to bed goes perfectly with the beautiful nature that we have in the heart of Montreal, “launched the 50 -year -old conductor, who changed a few times during this musical evening.

Followed the overwhelming Night and love From Augusta Holmès, who, in turn, made us travel to France.

Pointing the pink sky in front of him, Yannick Nézet-Séguin called this incredible evening.

“You inspire us, everyone!” Please also respond to this meeting. We are there to do good, give you hope, happiness and love. God knows we need it, “he said before presenting Dance Le Carcaillou of Hector Gratton, a jewel of revisited Quebec folklore, and The Fire Bird From Igor Stravinsky under a dramatic reddish lighting.

The special guest of the evening, the singer-songwriter Pierre Lapointe, went on stage at 9 p.m., dressed in a complete pink pea. It is the artist with whom the OM had offered his first external concert with great deployment to the Francofolies of Montreal in 2007. It was this evening that inspired the orchestra to create his own external symphonic concert.

He interpreted his new songs All our idols, Madam, Good evening et Hymn for those who do not apologizetaken from his album Ten old -fashioned songs for those who have a damaged heart.

Before the start of the concert, a tribute was also paid to one of the first benefactors of OM, former president of his board of directors and fervent defender of classical music, the founder of Quebecor, Pierre Péladeau, who would have celebrated his 100^e Birthday this year.