April 25, 2007 -

Ottawa, Canada -- Canadas oldest orchestra, the Orchestre symphonique de Québec, will perform at the National Arts Centre, on Tuesday, May 1 at 20:00 in Southam Hall during Quebec Scene. Music Director Yoav Talmi will lead the Orchestra in a programme of music by French composers Berlioz and Franck, and by Quebec composers Clermont Pépin and Jacques Hétu, the latter featuring OSQ principal oboe Philippe Magnon on both oboe and English horn.

Berlioz's Le Corsaire Overture opens the programme followed by Jacques Hétu's Concerto for Oboe and English Horn with Philippe Magnon on both instruments, and L'oiseau-phénix by Clermont Pépin. César Franck's Symphony in D minor completes the programme.

The Orchestre symphonique de Québec has flourished since Yoav Talmi was appointed Artistic Director eight seasons ago. It celebrated its one hundredth birthday in 2002, received critical acclaim for its first Canadian tour (including a visit to the NAC), and has made six recordings including Extase with soprano Measha Brueggergosman which won Classical Recording of the Year at the East Coast Music Awards in Halifax in 2007. The latest recording, Debussy orchestrations, released in January 2007 has also been very well received.

Philippe Magnan, in addition to his position as principal oboe of the OSQ, has pursued an important national and international solo career. Since winning the Montreal Symphony Orchestra Competition in 1982 and the Prix d'Europe in 1987, he has appeared with a number of orchestras in Canada and Europe, and has recorded on many labels. Founder of the Quebec Oboe Band, Philippe Magnan also performs regularly on the Baroque oboe.

Tickets for the Orchestre symphonique de Québec on May 1 are on sale now at $18.85, $38.68, $48.57 and $58.48 with box seats at $78.29 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC's web-site at www.nac-cna.ca.

The National Arts Centre Foundation gratefully acknowledges support by Major Sponsor SAQ, Program Sponsors Enbridge and Gaz Métro, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Casino du Lac-Leamy, Bombardier and Alcan. Supporting sponsors are Canril Corporation, Interinvest, Galaxie: The CBC's Continuous Music Network, the National Capital Commission and the Lord Elgin Hotel. Media partners include Official Broadcaster CBC/Radio-Canada, Énergie, Rock Détente, Gesca Limitée, notably through La Presse and Le Droit, the National Post and the Ottawa Citizen. Government partners are the Government of Canada, the Government of Québec through the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec and the Canada Council for the Arts. The NAC Foundation also extends a warm thank you to the National Arts Centre Friends-Quebec, a committed group of individuals and corporations who understand the need to support arts and culture and especially Quebec artists, and particular thanks to Honorary Chairs Yves and Carol Fortier.

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For more information please contact:
Jane Morris, Communications Officer,
National Arts Centre Orchestra
(613) 947-7000, ext. 335
jmorris@nac-cna.ca