Newswire | Festival Classica Unveils a Banner 16th Edition

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Montérégie, (February 25, 2026) – Festival Classica invites the public to experience classical music in all its variety during its 16th edition, which will run from May 22 to June 14, 2026. The 2026 program once again showcases exceptional artists and a compelling repertoire, with the majority of events taking place on Montreal’s South Shore. Classical works, operatic performances, symphonic rock productions, and concerts for young audiences form a wide-ranging program designed to open the doors of classical music to seasoned concertgoers and newcomers alike.

“Since its inception, Festival Classica has positioned itself as a space for sharing and discovery, dedicated to classical music in all its forms, across eras, traditions, and styles. This 16th edition reaffirms the Festival’s mission to present programming that brings audiences together, guided at all times by an uncompromising commitment to quality,” said Marc Boucher, general director and founder of Festival Classica.

A reflection of the Festival’s connection with its audience, tickets for the extraordinary symphonic rock event HEPTADE INTÉGRALE d’Harmonium, being presented on May 23 at Théâtre St-Denis, sold out in less than 24 hours. An additional performance added on May 24 sold out in under 7 days.

2026 season highlights to watch for

Alongside the headline HEPTADE INTÉGRALE event, those who enjoy cultural outings will discover some 20 productions that push creative boundaries, including a number of local creations and several exciting premieres.

NOTRE-DAME DE PARIS | LYRIQUE-SYMPHONIQUE presented by Initiatives Vanda Treiser: The age of cathedrals has returned! The legendary musical Notre-Dame de Paris, by Plamondon/Cocciante, is reimagined in a bold new symphonic-opera adaptation, presented by the Nouvel Opéra Métropolitain. This dazzling world premiere production brings together the musicians of the Orchestre classique de Montréal and seven outstanding soloists, including Rose Naggar-Tremblay (Esmeralda) and Gino Quilico (Frollo). Twenty-five iconic songs from this celebrated Francophone musical will resound beneath the majestic vaults of the Cocathédrale Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue, in Longueuil. This “opéra populaire” is recast as grand opera in a sweeping symphonic reimagining by master of the genre Simon Leclerc, who will conduct this standout concert. A Festival Classica premiere sure to delight fans of the original musical, classical music lovers, and curious listeners alike.
LES GRANDS CLASSIQUES de MICHEL LEGRAND | SYMPHONIQUE: The Nouvel Opéra Métropolitain invites jazz aficionados, film buffs, and opera lovers to immerse themselves in the melodic world of Michel Legrand. Iconic songs from The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, The Young Girls of Rochefort, Yentl, and Donkey Skin take on a new dimension in lush orchestral arrangements that highlight the interplay between lyric and jazz. Under the direction of Benjamin Levy, music director of the Cannes National Orchestra, this sensational production unites the Orchestre du Festival Classica and three of the city’s finest operatic voices. Also featured are Montreal jazz luminaries Lorraine Desmarais (piano), Paul Brochu (drums), and Éric Lagacé (double bass).
SUPERTRAMP SYMPHONIQUE: The Festival’s Classica Rock series returns with a brand new symphonic rock production honouring the legendary British band Supertramp. A tribute concert that reimagines the group’s most celebrated songs in arrangements for choir, soloist, and orchestra. ArtChoral, the Festival’s choir in residence, and the Orchestre du Festival share the stage with singer Ariel Coulombe, whose electrifying voice evokes the unmistakable sound of Roger Hodgson. Under the direction of Simon Fournier, more than 60 artists celebrate the timeless songs that helped shape the golden age of progressive rock.
BEETHOVEN’S COMPLETE PIANO CONCERTOS – Part one: Festival Classica and Arion Baroque Orchestra proudly present the complete cycle of Beethoven’s piano concertos, performed on period instruments, featuring Elisabeth Pion, the 2025 Honens Gold Laureate. Under the baton of Mathieu Lussier, the cycle begins with the composer’s first three concertos, performed on the Festival’s magnificent 1827 Broadwood fortepiano. Completing the program, Arion will revive the music of Sophie Gail, a contemporary of Beethoven, performing the overture to her opéra-comique La Sérénade. This concert will lead to a forthcoming recording.
STRAUSS’S FOUR LAST SONGS: Composed in 1948, Richard Strauss’s Four Last Songs stand as a crowning achievement of the twentieth-century vocal repertoire. Strauss’s final meditation on life, nature, and farewell, this radiant cycle for soprano and orchestra sets poems by Hermann Hesse and Joseph von Eichendorff. Presented here in a chamber version arranged by Olivier Larue, each Lied unfolds as an inward meditation, suffused with a sense of calm, acceptance, and completeness, conveyed by the copper-hued, evocative voice of soprano Elisabeth St-Gelais. This chamber reading reveals the timeless grace and enduring humanity of the masterwork. The first part of this chamber concert will feature Gustav Mahler’s Symphony no. 1 in F major. Steeped in the Lied aesthetic, this early symphony signals Mahler’s arrival in the genre, already revealing the composer’s distinctive voice.

A showcase for established talent and rising stars

The 2026 season once again highlights the excellence and richness of the artists. As part of this 16th season, established performers, celebrated for their virtuosity and influence, share the stage with emerging artists, whose vitality, insight, and adventurous spirit are shaping the future of the music scene.

Festival Classica remains true to its mission, serving as a springboard for artists and a space for exceptional cultural encounters, offering audiences both beloved repertoire and inspiring new works, with artistry, passion, and excellence at the heart of every performance.

A glimpse of the 2026 lineup:

SINGERS AND INSTRUMENTALISTS

Elisabeth Pion: pianist, 2025 Honens Gold Laureate
Elisabeth St-Gelais: Innu soprano, winner of several first prizes at leading classical music competitions
Gino Quilico: internationally acclaimed baritone
Jorane: renowned singer and cellist
Lorraine Desmarais: Montreal jazz piano great
Lulu Hughes: famed Quebec rock vocalist
Monique Fauteux, Louis Valois, Serge Locat, and Libert Subirana: members of the group Harmonium
Oktopus: internationally celebrated world-music octet
Rose Naggar-Tremblay: rising contralto star

CONDUCTORS

Benjamin Levy: conductor of the Cannes National Orchestra
Simon Rivard: leading conductor on Canada’s music scene
Simon Leclerc: acclaimed Canadian conductor

CLASSICAL ENSEMBLES

Arion Baroque Orchestra: pioneer in the world of early music performance on period instruments
Ensemble ArtChoral: premier professional choir rooted in the grand tradition of choral music in Quebec
Ensemble Caprice: sought-after classical ensemble that performs on period instruments
I Musici de Montréal: chamber orchestra that has been a pillar of musical life in Quebec and internationally since its founding in 1983
Orchestre Classique de Montréal: one of Canada’s oldest existing and most reputable professional ensembles

Useful information

The 2026 edition of Festival Classica 2026 will be presented in several emblematic venues across the Montérégie, including in Boucherville, Longueuil, and Saint-Lambert, offering audiences the opportunity to experience music in both heritage and urban settings. Among them: