Montreal Festivals

The Montreal Festivals (French: Festivals de Montréal) was an arts festival held annually in Montreal, Quebec, Canada from 1936-1965.[1] The festival was originally dedicated to the performance of classical music, presenting concerts of symphonic works, operas, oratorios, chamber music, and recitals. It was initially operated by the Montreal Symphony Orchestra (MSO), but became its own independent institution with its own orchestra in 1939. In 1952 the festival began expanding its offerings, and by 1965 the festival encompassed presentations of popular music, jazz, folk music, dance, arts and craft exhibitions, and a film festival. Notable artists who performed at the festival included conductors Emil Cooper, Laszlo Halasz, Erich Leinsdorf, Charles Munch, Charles O'Connell, and Eugene Ormandy; pianists Gyorgy Cziffra, José Iturbi, and Wilhelm Kempff; and singers Rose Bampton, Marjorie Lawrence, Grace Moore, Martial Singher, and Eleanor Steber.[2]

  1. ^ Maria Noriega Rachwal (6 October 2015). From Kitchen to Carnegie Hall: The Story of the Montreal Women's Symphony Orchestra. Second Story Press. p. 189. ISBN 978-1-927583-88-3.
  2. ^ Cécile Huot. "Montreal Festivals/Festivals de Montréal". The Canadian Encyclopedia.