ORCHESTRE PHILHARMONIQUE DU NOUVEAU MONDE
Formerly known as the Orchester symphonique de Mont-Royal
The founding of the Orchester symphonique de Mont-Royal (OSMR) – now known as the New World Philharmonic Orchestra (OPNM) – took place in 1987, following the celebrations surrounding the 75th anniversary of Ville Mont-Royal (VMR ). The Mont-Royal Choir, accompanied by a professional orchestra, took part in these festivities. The success resulting from this concert gave birth to the OSMR, thus responding to the desire expressed by the municipal authorities for a symphony orchestra.
In 1994, the young conductor Michel Brousseau made his debut as guest conductor with this group. Strong appreciation from music lovers and critics quickly propelled him to the helm of the orchestra permanently, in 1998, when he was appointed artistic director and principal conductor.
A native of the Laurentians, Michel Brousseau led the OSMR to sign a memorandum of understanding with the City of Saint-Jérôme in 1998, thus allowing the orchestra and its choir to present its musical season both in Montreal and in the Laurentians region. In 1999, the OSMR established itself in the Laurentians permanently and, by doing so, adopted the name of the New World Philharmonic Orchestra (OPNM). Collaboration with the municipality of Saint-Jérôme remained active for 8 years, from 1998 to 2006. The OPNM, however, continued to present special concerts on a regular basis in Montreal.
Until 1998, the orchestra held a competition that uncovered talents such as Karina Gauvin, Daniel Taylor, Alexandre Da Costa and Nadya Blanchette, among others. Always involved with the next generation of music, the OPNM regularly offers the opportunity to talented young artists from the Laurentians region to perform as part of some of its concerts. In 2003, the OPNM took part in a concert presenting the young winners of the Festival des Jeunes Musiciens des Laurentides as part of the Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur. As part of a social reintegration project for young people through the arts, initiated by the Fondation des Arts des Laurentides, and with the collaboration of the Chanteurs de Sainte-Thérèse, the OPNM will give the chance to a choir resulting from this program. to appear on stage during a concert at the mother church of Sainte-Thérèse in March 2007.
The arrival of Michel Brousseau at the OPNM also brought an important collaboration with Les Chanteurs de Sainte-Thérèse, given that he is the choir director and artistic director. The synergy between the Chanteurs de Sainte-Thérèse, the Choir and the New World Philharmonic Orchestra has enabled prestigious productions in the region, such as Orff’s Carmina Burana, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Verdi’s Traviata and Messiah of Handel, to name a few. The OPNM has also produced unique events in the Laurentians region, such as, among others, a tribute to André Prévost, native composer of the region, and grandiose concerts with Natalie Choquette. Moreover, in 2006, the Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec (CALQ) awarded the Grand Prix for artistic creation in the region, for the Laurentians, to Michel Brousseau, and this mainly thanks to the influence of the OPNM in this region.
In recent years, the OPNM has formalized its union with the SPNM, creating a unique choir and orchestra ensemble. This grouping, including the New World Philharmonic Choirs of Montreal, Ottawa and Basses-Laurentides, allows the presentation of choral and symphonic works on a large scale.