1 | Name: | Mr. Yannick Nézet-Séguin | |
Institution: | Orchestre Métropolitain, Montreal; Philadelphia Orchestra; New York Metropolitan Opera; Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra | ||
Year Elected: | 2022 | ||
Class: | 5. The Arts, Professions, and Leaders in Public & Private Affairs | ||
Subdivision: | 501. Creative Artists | ||
Residency: | International | ||
Living? : | Living | ||
Birth Date: | 1975 | ||
Yannick Nézet-Séguin is a Conductor and Pianist. He is currently Music Director of the Orchestre Métropolitain (Montréal), the Metropolitan Opera, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. He is also Honorary Conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra after serving as Principal Conductor from 2008 to 2018. He studied piano, conducting, composition, and chamber music at the Quebec Conservatory in Montreal and choral conducting at the Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. Other experience includes serving as Musical Director of Chœur Polyphonique de Montréal (1994), Musical Director of Choeur de Laval (1995), Founder of La Chapelle de Montréal (1995-2002), and Chorus Master, Assistant Conductor, and Music Adviser for the Opéra de Montréal (1998-2002). Widely recognized for his musicianship, dedication, and charisma, he has established himself as a musical leader of the highest caliber and one of the most thrilling talents of his generation. His intensely collaborative style, deeply rooted musical curiosity, and boundless enthusiasm, paired with a fresh approach to orchestral programming, have been heralded by critics and audiences alike. The New York Times has called him "phenomenal," adding that under his baton, "the ensemble, famous for its glowing strings and homogenous richness, has never sounded better." At a time when few conductors had personal recording contracts, Nézet-Séguin enjoyed an open-ended agreement with Deutsch Grammophon. His extensive discography includes numerous recordings for the German label, including the 2015 Rachmaninov Variations with Daniil Trifonov and the Philadelphia Orchestra. He is also a notable opera conductor. His operas on video include: Carmen, Metropolitan Opera, Deutsche Grammophon, 2010; Rusalka, Metropolitan Opera, Decca Classics, 2014; Faust, Metropolitan Opera, Decca Classics, 2014. He was the 2000 recipient of the Virginia Parker Prize and the 2010 recipient of the National Arts Centre Award. He was named a Companion of the Order of Canada in 2012. Nézet-Séguin was elected a member of the American Philosophical Society in 2022. |