KENT NAGANO RENEWS HIS CONTRACT AS MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE ORCHESTRE
SYMPHONIQUE DE MONTRÉAL

MONTREAL, Sept. 2 /CNW Telbec/ - The Chairman of the Board of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) Lucien Bouchard announced today the renewal of Kent Nagano's contract as Music Director of the OSM, taking effect on September 1^st, 2011. The announcement was made during the 2010-2011 season opening concert of the Orchestra, in front of several thousand concertgoers.

This new agreement, which shall remain effective until the 2013-2014 season, may be renewed for two additional years. Maestro Nagano will continue to lead concerts up to 16 weeks throughout the regular season and in summer. His activities with the Orchestra shall include recordings, international tours and outings, as well as special events. He shall furthermore continue to take part in the educational mission of the OSM and benefit events of the Orchestra.

"As a new chapter in the OSM's history is about to begin with the opening of a new concert hall," states OSM Chairman of the Board Lucien Bouchard, "we welcome with much enthusiasm the renewal of the contract of this great conductor here in Montreal. Maestro Nagano has wonderfully contributed to the local and international renown of the Orchestra through innovative programming that creates a sense of common bond, recordings and tours acclaimed by both the public and critics, as well as through constant initiative in reaching out to the community."

"It is with great pleasure and emotion that I have accepted the OSM's invitation to extend my contract," declares Kent Nagano. "It will allow further building and expansion of our great tradition into the future as well as sharing the exceptional qualities of Quebec culture with the local and international community. Over the last years, I have witnessed the importance of Arts and Culture in Quebec, discovered the exceptional sophistication and open mind of our public, felt the communal strength and shared a unique civic spirit. Today I feel privileged to renew my commitment to the Orchestra and to Montreal."

OSM Chief Executive Officer Madeleine Careau further declares : "Ever since his arrival in Montreal, Maestro Nagano, the musicians of the Orchestra as well as the public have shared a most privileged bond. For some time now, there was a common will to see him remain with the OSM. It was therefore natural to extend this collaboration, which has shown itself to be most successful over the past four years."

Kent Nagano's second term as music director of the OSM will begin with the opening of the Orchestra's new concert hall in the Fall of 2011. The acoustics of this world-class hall shall bear the signature of renowned firm Artec, whereas Diamond and Schmitt Architects is responsible for its architecture. This project is being realized through a public-private partnership between the government of Quebec and Groupe immobilier Ovation.

In September 2006, Kent Nagano officially became the eighth Music Director of the OSM. He was preceded in this position by Wilfrid Pelletier (1935-1941), Désiré Defauw (1941-1953), Igor Markevitch (1957-1961), Zubin Mehta (1961-1967), Franz-Paul Decker (1967-1975), Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos (1975-1976) and Charles Dutoit (1977-2002).

The OSM has celebrated over 75 years of existence, and its excellence has been demonstrated in the course of over 40 national and international tours. The OSM has produced nearly 100 recordings, earning 48 national and international awards.

A historical survey of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal and a biography and photos of its Music Director, Kent Nagano, are available at osm.ca.

The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal is presented by Hydro-Québec.

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