Press Release

Concerts populaires de Montréal (41st season)

Orgue et couleurs presents
The 41st season of the Concerts populaires de Montréal

Six concerts at 7:30 pm
On Wednesdays, June 29, July 6, 13, 20 and 27 and August 3, 2005

Centre Pierre-Charbonneau
3000 Viau St., Montréal(Viau metro)

Parquet circle with tables: $22 (general) / $20 (students & seniors)
Balconies: $16 (general) / $14 (students & seniors)
Drinks and light meals available for purchase, table service in the parquet circle only

Information and Ticket Sales: (514) 899-0938

Montréal, Tuesday, May 31, 2005 —The Concerts populaires de Montréal were created in 1964 on the initiative of Mayor Jean Drapeau, with the goal of bringing symphonic music to the general public every summer in an accessible setting. Presented for many years on Wednesday evenings at the Maurice-Richard Arena, the concerts have been held at the Centre Pierre-Charbonneau since 2001. Orgue et couleurs, under the general and artistic direction of Régis Rousseau, took over the administration and presentation of the Concerts populaires de Montréal in 2003, in partnership with the Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough. Last year, close to 9,000 people attended the summer series in the East End of Montréal.

Now it’s time for the 41st season of the Concerts populaires de Montréal, with six concerts scheduled for Wednesdays at 7:30 pm—June 29, July 6, 13, 20, and 27 and August 3 2005—at the Centre Pierre-Charbonneau in Montréal. This popular summer series stands out for its unusual choice of venues, which not only gives the concerts a relaxed atmosphere but offers spectators the possibility of having a light meal or drinks before and during the performances.

The Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal, official orchestra of the Concerts populaires de Montréal since 2001, under conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, will give three concerts: July 13, 20 and 27. Rounding out the 2005 summer season are the Ensemble Amati (June 29), Société de musique viennoise du Québec (July 6) and Violons du Roy (August 3).

“You’ll be enchanted by this series that will take you from the Bohemian forest to America and from Italy to England over a period of nearly three centuries!”
Yannick Nézet-Séguin

Since taking over the organization of the Concerts populaires de Montréal, Orgue et couleurs has continued to forge bonds in the East End of the island of Montréal. One of its objectives is to encourage young adults to take part in local cultural life. To this end, since the summer of 2004, Orgue et couleurshas given around ten teenage students from the neighbourhood their first work experience, hiring them as ushers for the concerts. As well, at each of this year’s concerts, 50 young people will be invited to attend free of charge, as part of a community access project set up in collaboration with the area’s day camps, youth centres and aid agencies for underprivileged youth.

The 2005 Season of the Concerts populaires de Montréal is made possible through the participation of the Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal, La Presse, CJPX Radio-Classique, the Caisse d’économie des Pompiers, des Cols bleus et des Cols blancs de Montréal, the Caisses populaires Desjardins in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighbourhood and DMD Équipement de bureau.

Orgue et couleurs has received the following awards:

RIDEAU 2001 Initiative Award for the First Fall Festival
RIDEAU 2003 Initiative Award for the Organ Improvisation League (LIO)
Opus Award 2001-2002 from the CQM - Artistic Director of the Year
Opus Award 2002-2003 from the CQM - Promoter of the Year
Best International Performance award from the OFQJ for its 2003 LIO at Musicora/Paris project.
Orgue et couleurs will present its 7th Fall Festival from SEPTEMBER 23 to OCTOBER 3, 2005

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MEDIA RELATIONS: Marie Marais, press officer
(514) 845-2821 / marais@cam.org

[7201] News posted Tuesday, May 31, 2005.