Montreal Concert Previews

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25 Years: The Chœur Classique de Montréal
The Chœur Classique de Montréal presents great opera choruses with the Orchestra symphonique des Jeunes de Montréal, under the direction of Louis Lavigueur .  The soloists include Natalia Savelyeva, soprano, Stéphanie Pothier, mezzo-soprano, Antoine Bélanger, tenor, and Joseph Rouleau, who will reprise the role of Boris Godunov, which he performed in 1987 on the occasion which first brought together the choristers of the Chœur Classique de Montréal.  Maison symphonique, June 13 at 8:00 PM. choeurclassiquedemontreal.qc.ca

Concerts Populaires de Montréal – 49th year
Attracting a loyal and enthusiastic public every year, the Concerts populaires de Montréal will take place from June 27 to August 1. There will be three concerts by the Orchestre Métropolitain under the direction of conductors Julian Kuerti, Alain Trudel and James Darling, as well as three performances by the Sinfonia de Lanaudière under the direction of Stéphane Laforest. Music-lovers will have the pleasure of hearing acclaimed soloists such as tenor Marc Hervieux, (June 27), soprano Lyne Fortin and baritone Étienne Dupuis (July 11), soprano Karine Boucher and baritone Gino Quilico (July 18) and violinist Élaine Marcil (July 25).  Hosted by Winston McQuade. Centre Pierre-Charbonneau, 7:30 PM, 514-899-0644, extension 202. 

Concerts in the Park
In addition to its presence at the Festival de Lanaudière and the Concerts populaires, the Orchestra Métropolitain, under the direction of Julian Kuerti, opens the season at the Théâtre de Verdure on July 6 at 7:30 PM with a voyage “From Russia to Bohemia”. On July 19, the OM returns under the direction of Alain Trudel for a Verdi opera gala with soprano Karine Boucher and tenor Gino Quilico. On August 4, it is Montreal’s turn to hear the National Youth Orchestra of Canada under the direction of Alain Trudel.

There is a great selection of music performed in parks this summer.  For classical music, we will mention three concerts at Garneau Park: the Quatuor de saxophones Nota Bene, which explores all kinds of repertoire (July 4); Trente Doigts, an acoustic guitar ensemble (July 11); and the Trio Vincent Bélanger, which offers a varied selection of works from Handel to Morricone (July 25). www.accesculture.com

Orchestre de la Francophonie: Classics Series in Montreal
As part of the 2013 summer season, the Orchestre de la Francophonie presents four concerts in Montreal. July 24, guest conductor Douglas Pace Sturdevant conducts the OF at Pollack Hall. OF conductor Jean-Philippe Tremblay provides musical direction for concerts on August 12, 13 and 14 at Salle Pierre-Mercure. At these concerts, audiences will have the chance to hear renowned soloists such as Pascale Beaudin, Serhiy Salov and Élissa Cassini, and upcoming soloists such as Sheila Jaffe, Thomas Chartré and Philippe Prudhomme. And finally, a Montreal premiere: a piece by composer Frédéric Chiasson. www.orchestrefranco.com 

MISQA (McGill International String Quartet Academy)
Since its founding in August 2010, MISQA has sought to promote the great tradition of the string quartet. Every year, renowned international faculty are invited to share their experience with the best young string quartets from around the world. Participants this year will include four quartets of international stature, as well as four up-and-coming quartets, from eight countries. Two prestigious guest string quartets will give the opening and closing concerts at Pollack Hall: the Miami Quartet (August 11) and the Vogler Quartet (August 23). The special presentation “Les Musiciens du Quatuor” is presented in two parts, on August 19 and 20 at 7:00 PM. The concerts featuring student quartets take place in Pollack and Tanna Schulich concert halls from August 11-23. These concerts are free, but tickets must be reserved. www.misqa.com

Translation: Rona Nadler

Dialogic Series
For the 16th year running, Prof. Norman Cornett will lead his ‘Dialogic’ series with leading jazz composers and musicians at the Montreal Jazz Fest. Participants include Vijay Tyler, Oliver Jones and Jean-Pierre Zanella. June 25 to July 7, $5. St. James United Church. haveyouexperienced.wordpress.com   - Wah Keung Chan