Newswire | Orchestre Classique de Montréal Announces Its 87th Season

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Montreal, Tuesday, April 28, 2026 – Orchestre Classique de Montréal (OCM) is pleased to unveil the programming of its 87th season presented by BMO Bank of Montreal. Several renowned artists will be featured in the upcoming season, including Janina Fialkowska, Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Aline Kutan, Cameron Crozman, Tessa Fackelmann, Sharon Azrieli and Marc Djokic.

Andrei Feher, OCM Music Director and Artistic Director, at Haendel’s Messiah, 2025. Photo: Tam Photography

The OCM’s 2026–2027 season promises to be rich, bold, and resolutely open to the world. From Beethoven to Piazzolla, from Baroque to contemporary creations, it offers a vibrant musical journey where major repertoire works, world premieres, and remarkable collaborations come together.

The summer season will open in style with the return of a family-friendly initiative: the second edition of Classical Day at the Oratory. On Saturday, July 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 9 p.m., a series of free mini concerts will delight audiences throughout the day in the most majestic locations in and around the Saint Joseph’s Oratory. This one-day festival is presented by CANSO Investment Counsel Ltd.

“On the occasion of this 87th season—the second under the artistic direction of Maestro Andrei Feher—the OCM is thrilled to offer a vibrant and inspiring program, rich in musical colors and accessible to all audiences. As the oldest chamber orchestra in Canada, the OCM has played a key role in Montreal’s cultural life for over eight decades. True to its mission, it is committed to engaging with its community, inspiring it and representing it on stage and through its many activities. We invite you to celebrate music and live performances, experiences which bring us together and unite us.”

– Taras Kulish, Executive Director

“It is with excitement and emotion that I finally unveil the result of our work over the past several months. This upcoming season unfolds in a rich and colorful palette, celebrating the vitality of our Montreal communities. The musicians and I look forward to creating unforgettable moments for our audiences.”

– Andrei Feher, Music Director and Artistic Director

2026–2027 CONCERTS

Janina Fialkowska. Photo: Ulrich Wagner

BEETHOVEN & FIALKOWSKA – October 2, 2026 – 7:30 p.m. – Maison Symphonique

The grand season-opening concert promises virtuosity and energy. This prestigious program highlights Ludwig van Beethoven and internationally renowned pianist Janina Fialkowska. After the luminous momentum of Anna Clyne’s Stride, Fialkowska will perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4. The evening continues with the majestic Symphony No. 7 under the direction of Andrei Feher.

ECHOES ACROSS WORLDS – November 5, 2026 – 7:30 p.m. – Salle Pierre-Mercure

Created in collaboration with Oktoecho as part of the Arab World Festival of Montreal, this evening serves as a bridge between cultures. From the Middle East to contemporary orchestral expression, it brings together traditions and imagination. Featuring a world premiere by Katia Makdissi-Warren, the program also includes works by Bechara El-Khoury, Fazıl Say, and others.

HANDEL’S MESSIAH – December 10, 2026 – 7:30 p.m. – Crypt of Saint Joseph’s Oratory

A timeless Baroque masterpiece, Handel’s Messiah unfolds its full spiritual and dramatic power under Andrei Feher in the sublime acoustics of the Crypt. Four outstanding soloists—Myriam Leblanc, Rose Naggar-Tremblay, Isaiah Bell, and James Westman—along with a professional choir bring this grand masterpiece to life.

THE ARMENIAN SOUL – February 1, 2027 – 7:30 p.m. – Salle Pierre-Mercure

Under guest conductor Adam Johnson, this evening features the luminous voice of Aline Kutan and the expressive cello of Cameron Crozman in a journey into Armenian musical heritage. The program includes two world premieres by Petros Shoujounian and Kevork Andonian, alongside works by Tigranian, Hovhaness, and Komitas.

Mariadi Buenos Aires. Photo: Tam Photography

RHYTHM WITHOUT BORDERS: FROM BACH TO BUENOS AIRES – February 11, 2027 – 7:30 p.m. – Salle Pierre-Mercure

From Bach’s Baroque to Piazzolla’s fiery tangos, this program celebrates dance. With dancers from Corazon de Tango and violinist Bénédicte Lauzière, the OCM presents an evening where tradition meets virtuosity, including a creation by Maxime Goulet.

Boris Brott. Photo: Annette B. Woloshen

A SERENADE FOR BORIS – March 11, 2027 – 7:30 p.m. – Salle Pierre-Mercure

This concert pays tribute to maestro Boris Brott through a program blending creation and major repertoire works. Featuring Tessa Fackelmann, Sharon Azrieli, violinist Marc Djokic, and cellist Chloé Dominguez, the evening includes works by Ravel, Arensky, Brott, and Shostakovich, as well as a world premiere concerto by Jaap Nico Hamburger.

RECORDERS ON THE RUN (Family Concert performed in French) – April 5, 2027 – 2:00 p.m. – Salle Pierre-Mercure

Get ready for a true display of musical agility with this vibrant 50-minute family concert. Recorder players showcase dazzling virtuosity in a performance that is as playful as it is impressive, inviting audiences of all ages to take on the challenge of rhythm. Presented in co-production with Jeunesses Musicales Canada, this concert promises an energetic and fun experience for kids and parents alike.

LA BELLE HÉLÈNE – June 10 & 12, 2027 – 7:30 p.m. – Maison Symphonique

OCM and Festival Classica invite audiences into the golden age of New Hollywood. This bold reinterpretation of Offenbach’s La Belle Hélène, directed by Lorraine Pintal, blends glamour and social satire, starring mezzo-soprano Marie-Nicole Lemieux. This production, presented by the Vanda Treiser Initiatives, is a dazzling event not to be missed.