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Bombardier and the Orchestre Métropolitain raise $505,000 for the Orchestre Métropolitain’s musical mission

The Orchestre Métropolitain and Bombardier, two major Quebec institutions firmly rooted in their community, came together this evening for the Sixth Annual OM Benefit Gala, presented this year around the theme “Great conductor, great chef”. The gala took place in a spectacular setting, at the Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre in Dorval where the interior fittings of Global business jets are designed, manufactured, and installed, against the backdrop of a superb Global 7500 aircraft, the world’s largest and longest-range business jet that has redefined business aviation.

Presented by TD Bank Group, the event took place under the honorary chairmanship of ÉRIC MARTEL, President and CEO, Bombardier, in the presence of YANNICK NÉZET-SÉGUIN, Principal Conductor and Artistic Director, Orchestre Métropolitain, and Quebec culinary chef MARIE-FLEUR ST-PIERRE, Head chef at both Tapeo, the renowned tapas restaurant, and Mesón, a restaurant she co-owns. The role of Master of ceremony has been entrusted to ÈVE LAURIER, Vice President, Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs, at Bombardier, who masterfully led the most important charity event for OM.

This memorable evening began with the traditional welcome cocktail, followed by a private concert with the Orchestre Métropolitain, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, a discussion with Éric Martel and Yannick Nézet-Séguin, on the themes of leadership and family, and a silent auction, all accompanied by a gourmet experience with Marie-Fleur St-Pierre. This positive and unifying event brought together great influential Quebec personalities who came to celebrate and support the OM’s mission and Quebec’s cultural reputation around the world.

Donations for the Future of Music
The evening’s donations will help support and enhance the OM’s musical mission by letting it continue to serve its community by sharing symphonic music with a growing audience, and by making culture more accessible to families, young musicians, children, and the elderly, with whom the OM works closely. “As Honorary Chair, I would like to personally thank all those who responded this evening and have contributed with their donations and their time to the success of this very important event. It was a very proud moment for all of us at Bombardier to welcome you to our premises.” ― Éric Martel

Leadership and Family Strength
The alliance between the two major Canadian enterprises quite naturally embodies the spirit of family and solidarity that is an important driver for both. Since the essence of any great project or mission, whether musical or business, is primarily rooted in the strength of its team, the OM and Bombardier proudly convey and advocate these values. Éric Martel and Yannick Nézet-Séguin, leaders of large organizations in very different fields, both of which require positive and unifying leaders to rally the troops around promising projects, shared during the event their respective visions on group strength and family values that are critical to the success of orchestras and businesses alike.

Complete Trust
Incidentally in 2019, the OM proudly announced the renewal for life of the contract of its Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, Yannick Nézet-Séguin. An open-ended commitment based on mutual trust and human values: “Montréal is my hometown, my home port. It’s where I was born, where I grew up and where I received my musical training. And the Orchestre Métropolitain is the first of my musical families. They have trusted me from the start when I was just 25 years old. The trust was mutual, and our relationship has only grown over the last 20 years. We are now inseparable. I look forward to the coming years at the Orchestre Métropolitain with great enthusiasm for the many projects in store and with great pride for all that has been accomplished to date.” ― Yannick Nézet-Séguin

Distinguished Guests Extend Their Support to the OM
The Sixth Annual OM Benefit Gala was held in the presence of Erik J. Ryan, Chairman of the Board of the Orchestre Métropolitain, Executive Vice-President of Strategy, Marketing and External Relations at SNC-Lavalin, along with the other members of the Honorary committee for this edition formed by the TD Bank Group, with Abe Adham, member of the Board of the Orchestre Métropolitain and Managing Director and Head of Quebec Investment Banking at TD Securities and Jacques Marchand, Honorary Chair of LCI Éducation.

Distinguished guests who took part in the event included Pauline Marois, former Premier of Québec, Valerie Plante, Mayor of Montréal, Simon Brault, Director and CEO of the Canada Council for the Arts, Louise Sicuro, Founder of Culture pour tous and Journées de la culture, Ben Marc Diendéré, Chair of the Conseil des arts de Montréal, Nathalie Maillé, Executive Director of the Conseil des arts de Montréal, Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal, and Laurent Beaudoin, who led Bombardier from 1966 to 2003 and who wished to be present at this memorable evening to also mark Bombardier’s 80th anniversary.

Legacy of a Great Entrepreneur
It would have been impossible for Yannick Nézet-Séguin not to mention the incredible contribution of Mr. Beaudoin, who was first CEO and then Chairman of the Board of Bombardier from 1966 to 2015. His entrepreneurial spirit and innovative vision transformed Bombardier from its modest beginnings as a snowmobile manufacturer to a global giant that proudly shines the torch of Quebec ingenuity around the world. “Because you led this flagship company, Bombardier, like a true maestro, Quebec and the entire world will always remember your leadership, your great career, and respect the immense legacy you have left behind for the people of Quebec. You led Bombardier like a great conductor. Therefore, it is an honor for me to present to you my baton that I have signed.” ― Yannick Nézet-Séguin

Music to the Ears!
The OM conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin enthralled the guests with a concert in which Rachmaninoff, Mozart and Debussy charmed and dazzled everyone. “It is with total gratitude that I welcome your commitment,” Yannick Nézet-Séguin told the guests at the event. “I am proud of the Orchestre Métropolitain’s accomplishments in the Montréal community and beyond. The OM is a bold and brilliant orchestra with character on the stage. Its ambitious and inspiring projects provide ample opportunities for dozens of talented artists and craftsmen to shine in front of, and behind the spotlights respectively. Our shared passion guides us, your generosity spurs us on.” This concert was also an opportunity for guests to discover the extent of the talent of young pianist Emmanuel Dugal-Roberts, winner of last year’s OMNI Competition, a musical event created by the OM for young musicians aged 7-17.

Dining with Marie-Fleur St-Pierre
The guests at this memorable evening had the privilege of discovering all the talent of Quebec chef Marie-Fleur St-Pierre, who has established herself as one of the top young chefs that make Montréal a North American culinary destination. The chef, both unique and in command of her exceptional cooking skills, was entrusted with the task of entertaining the many guests with her dishes inspired by the sunny cuisine of Spain.