Orchestre Métropolitain presents

Brahms: A German Requiem

Under the baton of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the OM and the Chœur Métropolitain will perform A German Requiem—a piece where the human voice reaches new heights. Grappling with universal themes while confronting death with serenity and wonder, Brahms celebrates life on earth and beyond.

In contrast with Latin requiems replete with God’s wrath and repentance, Brahms’s work is a calming ode to the human spirit. The innovative and dramatic composition’s German libretto evokes feelings of hopefulness, sung by a choir and soloists in the style of an oratorio. A German Requiem is positively one of a kind.

Program
Luis Ernesto Peña Laguna (1983-)
Oraison, pour chœur et orchestre
Brahms (1833 – 1897)
A German Requiem

Artists
Orchestre Métropolitain
Chœur Métropolitain, choir
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor

The Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Orchestre Métropolitain since 2000, Yannick Nézet-Séguin signed a “lifelong” commitment with the Orchestre in September 2019. In September 2018, he became the third Music Director of the Metropolitan Opera (MET), New York in addition to his ongoing duties as Music Director of the Philadelphia Orchestra, where he has served since 2012.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin holds six honorary doctorates (Université du Québec à Montréal, 2011; Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia, 2014; Rider University, Princeton, 2015; McGill University, Montreal, 2017, Université de Montréal, 2017; Pennsylvania University, 2018) and has been made a Companion of the Order of Canada (2012), Companion of the Quebec Order for the Arts and Literature (2015), Officer of the National Order of Quebec (2015), Officer of the Ordre de Montréal (2017) and honorary member of the Royal Conservatory of Music (2020).

Suzanne Taffot, soprano

Acclaimed by critics as “a voice to follow”, the Canadian-Cameroonian Suzanne Taffot is distinguished by her rich and colorful timbre, her ease on stage and her convincing interpretations.

After making her debut with the Orchestre Métropolitain in Fauré’s Requiem, under the direction of Maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Suzanne participated in the recording of the CD devoted to the melodies and airs of the famous composer GERSHWIN, with the Orchestre La Sinfonia de Lanaudière under the direction of chef Stéphane Laforest. She recently sang the role of Micaëla with Orchetre Classique de Montreal, Lauretta in a gala concert with Opera de Québec, La bèrgere et la Chouette with the Opera de Limoges, was solist with Opera de Shenzhen in China, Kosice Symphony House in Slovakia, at the Gärtnerplatz Theater in Munich where she won great success as Mimi in La Bohème (Puccini).

This summer, Suzanne will also appear as a solist in the Stabat Mater of Dvorzak at Maison symphonique de Montreal under the baton of Maestro Louis Lavigueur and the Sinfonia Orchestra of Montreal and will perform the role of “la chanteuse d’opera” in a Canadian opera world premiere Youcenar: une ile de passions, with Opera the Montreal and Opera de Québec.

Suzanne Taffot is graduated from the University of Montreal under the tutelage of renowned soprano Adrienne Savoie and experienced voice coach Louise Andrée Baril. She obtained her diploma with the score “Excellent” unanimously in her final Master’s degree at the University.

Eric Owens, bass-baritone

Bass-baritone Eric Owens has a unique reputation as an esteemed interpreter of classic works and a champion of new music. Equally at home in orchestral, recital, and operatic repertoire, Mr. Owens brings his powerful poise, expansive voice, and instinctive acting faculties to stages around the world.

In the 2021-2022 season, Mr. Owens returns to the Metropolitan Opera as both Philippe II in Sir David McVicar’s new production of Don Carlos, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, and Porgy in James Robinson’s Grammy Award-winning production of Porgy and Bess, conducted by David Robertson. He also returns to Santa Fe Opera as King Marke in Tristan und Isolde. On the concert stage, he joins the Philadelphia Orchestra for performances of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, also conducted by Nézet-Séguin, both in Philadelphia’s Verizon Hall and on tour at Carnegie Hall. Additionally, he sings Vodnik in concert performances of Rusalka with the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, led by Alan Gilbert.

Mr. Owens’s career operatic highlights include both Alberich and Hagen in the Metropolitan Opera’s Ring cycle directed by Robert Lepage; Wotan and the Wanderer in Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Ring cycle directed by Sir David Pountney; Orest in Patrice Chereau’s production of Elektra conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen at the Met; the title role of Der Fliegende Höllander and Stephen Kumalo in Weill’s Lost in the Stars at Washington National Opera; his San Francisco Opera debut in Otello conducted by Donald Runnicles; his Royal Opera, Covent Garden, debut in Norma; Vodnik and Porgy at Lyric Opera of Chicago; the title role in Handel’s Hercules with the Canadian Opera Company; Ramfis in Aida at Houston Grand Opera; Die Zauberflöte for his Paris Opera (Bastille) debut; and the title role of Macbeth at the Glimmerglass Festival.

Maison Symphonique de Montréal
Friday, May 20, 2022 at 7:30pm

To purchase your tickets visit: www.orchestremetropolitain.com

A webcast will be available June 10-19, 2022