From these handpicked advanced participants from either Argentina or Hong Kong, two would be chosen to conduct a work during the Metropolitan Orchestra’s Saturday night and Sunday afternoon concerts in the Domaine Hall. Which increases the pressure a bit.
The experience was very positive. An excellent educator, known for the conviviality in which he works, the Quebec chef has ingeniously found ways to soften and relax the gestures of each of his charges.
On several occasions he managed to spark a small sparkle in her eyes.
At the same time we could see that an orchestra is a highly sensitive organism that reacts to the slightest inflection, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.
Fernando Gaggini from Buenos Aires, Argentina was the first to step onto the podium. The young man appeared serious, perhaps nervous, and conducted the overture to Richard Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman all at once, with a precise and detailed beat. It seems a little too much for the Master’s liking.
“Relax, enjoy the beauty of this music. Give yourself a chance to feel it. Do less, enjoy the moment more,” he explains in essence. New trial. The student is receptive. We can already feel the sound of the orchestra improving.
The second participant is Renaud Madore from Montreal, the only Quebecer born in 2023. He seems to be enjoying it very much. His interpretation of Wagner’s works radiates a powerful sound.
“You looked like a kid in a candy store!” » Introducing Nézet-Séguin, hilarious but clearly delighted with his performance. “Pleasure is communicative, everyone gave you because you gave too. But be aware of your power, use it more relaxed. »
The next trainee, Orr Guy from Haifa in Israel, stood out for his energy, especially his first gesture. He literally whipped the orchestra. “It was a surprise exit,” noted the master. I never do. But you’re doing well and it worked. »
Complete atmosphere change. Oi Ching Chan, a young conductor originally from Hong Kong and now based in the UK, Shawn Bennett from the province of Newfoundland and Rachel Waddell from Rochester, New York are now exploring Poem, a work by Canadian composer Violet Archer with much more linear contours than Wagner’s. Of the three, the American is undoubtedly the most receptive to the Master’s advice. Her simplicity and openness also make her particularly likeable.
Without too much surprise, we will later learn that it is Rachel Waddell who will have the honor of conducting Poem during the Metropolitan Orchestra’s concert on Saturday night. Orr Guy, meanwhile, has been chosen to conduct the Flying Dutchman Overture on Sunday’s programme. The two concerts as part of the Domaine Forget International Festival were sold out.
A coveted education
Yannick Nézet-Séguin began giving master classes at Domaine Forget in the summer of 2021, in the midst of a pandemic. We then worked with a hybrid formula. The current formula, which also relies on the participation of the Orchester symphonique de Québec, the Orchester métropolitain and the American conductor Kensho Watanabe, began in the summer of 2022.
Due to the quality of its training, the Domaine Forget internship has met with great interest in the international music scene. “Everyone wants to study with Yannick! summarizes Quebec participant Renaud Madore. No fewer than 80 applications were received from all over the world for this summer’s presentation. Only twelve of this batch were accepted.