The newly formed MTL Orchestra, under the inspired direction of chef Evgenii Sakmarov, made a joyful and confident statement tonight with its Holiday Gala Concert, performed to a full house and sold out audience at Montreal’s Sylvan Adams Center.
From the boisterous opening ( stirring sampling from Saint Saëns’ Samson and Delilah) the evening radiated warmth, elegance, and an unmistakable sense of celebration.
Highlights included eight luminous selections from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake.
The festive spirit continued with nine enchanting excerpts from The Nutcracker, instantly transporting the audience into a holiday dreamscape filled with magic, nostalgia, and sparkle. Families and music lovers were visibly swept up in the seasonal joy that flowed effortlessly from the stage.
Visually, the concert was equally engaging. Festive holiday visuals displayed on two large television screens on either side of the auditorium enhanced the atmosphere, adding color and cheer without ever distracting from the music itself.
The evening concluded on an exhilarating high note with Strauss’ iconic Radetzky March. In true tradition, the audience enthusiastically clapped along to the infectious rhythm, turning the finale into a shared celebration between musicians and concertgoers alike.
Chef Evgenii Sakmarov’s vision of classical music as a source of light, harmony, and inspiration resonated deeply throughout the performance.
The orchestra’s brilliance, cohesion, and heartfelt energy made this Holiday Gala a restorative and uplifting concert experience, a perfect musical pause during the busy holiday season.
With this triumphant performance, the MTL Orchestra has firmly announced itself as a vibrant new presence on Montreal’s classical music scene.
Judging by the standing ovation and beaming faces in the audience, this is an ensemble many will be eager to hear again.