by Carole Gagliardi
The year 2025 marks a major turning point for the I Musici de Montréal orchestra, celebrating its 42nd season with a bold and refreshing new direction. The acclaimed chamber ensemble is undergoing a transformative change: it will now perform without a conductor.
“The artistic direction will be carried out by the musicians themselves. This fosters a greater sense of ownership and allows for a more democratic approach to our craft,” explains Julie Trinquet, the orchestra’s concertmaster.
By adopting a collective structure, I Musici embraces a collaborative model already in use by several ensembles around the world—one where artistic decisions are made jointly. This move allows the group to function more horizontally, with every member playing an active role in the creative process.
“Without a conductor, there’s less hierarchy—we operate in a more egalitarian way,” adds Trinquet.
This new approach invites freer, more vibrant interpretations of classical works—presented through a modern lens and in dialogue with today’s social and artistic realities. The orchestra, made up of 15 to 17 professional musicians, aims to maintain the excellence of its performance while gaining greater creative agility.
“It’s a major challenge, as we’ve always had a traditional artistic direction. But after 42 years of existence, we’re building on a solid foundation—and every member is fully committed,” Trinquet emphasizes.
Launching a New Chapter: The Concerto Series
As part of this artistic renewal, I Musici de Montréal is launching a new Concerto Series in partnership with Panoram Italia and the Canadian-Italian Community Foundation. The series aims to reconnect the Montreal Italian community—and the public at large—with world-class classical musicianship in an intimate, accessible setting.
The concerts are designed to break down barriers between audiences and classical music, encouraging deeper engagement with both seasoned listeners and those new to the genre. The initiative also serves as a cultural branding exercise for Panoram Italia, reinforcing its role as a bridge between community, culture, and the arts.
The inaugural performances will begin with a string quartet format in September, followed by a second concert in early December, just before the holidays. As the series evolves, the vision is to eventually expand toward full-orchestra performances by 2026 and beyond.
The goal is to host at least four concerts per year, aligned with Panoram Italia’s quarterly magazine issues, forming a strong cultural rhythm through the seasons—with the potential to grow beyond.
First Performance: September 6 at Centre Leonardo da Vinci
To inaugurate the Concerto Series, a season-opening concert will take place on September 6 at the Leonardo da Vinci Centre. Four musicians from I Musici will present a string quartet program, featuring works by Antonio Vivaldi and Giacomo Puccini—an elegant blend of baroque brilliance and operatic emotion.
Set in a welcoming, community-centered venue, this event represents a unique opportunity to experience high-level classical music up close. It’s not just a concert—it’s the beginning of a broader artistic dialogue with the community.
With this unprecedented season and concert series, I Musici de Montréal proves that even after four decades, boldness and innovation can still strike a powerful chord—rooted in excellence and reaching toward the future.
Reservations: https://cldv.tuxedobillet.com/main/series-concerto
Information: anselmo@panoramitalia.com
