Montreal, April 22, 2025 – The Orchestre classique de Montréal (OCM) is excited to unveil a new festival, “Classical Day at the Oratory,” set to take place on Saturday, July 5, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Co-produced with Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal, the festival will feature seven free mini-concerts throughout the day and a ticketed evening performance in the Oratory’s crypt.
The event is designed to make classical music accessible to all. The free mini-concerts, starting at 10 a.m., are family-friendly and offer a chance to enjoy music at several scenic locations around the Oratory. These include the welcome pavilion, gardens, crypt, basilica, and original chapel, all offering stunning views of Montreal.
The festival will proceed rain or shine, with indoor venues available if necessary due to weather conditions.
The evening’s ticketed concert will take place in the Oratory’s crypt, renowned for its excellent acoustics. It will feature a program of classical masterpieces by composers such as Mozart, Bach, and Tchaikovsky, conducted by Jean-Marie Zeitouni.
“We’ve been working on this festival for a few years, and with the Oratory’s co-production, we’re thrilled to announce its first edition,” said Taras Kulish, Executive Director of the OCM. “The Oratory is the ideal setting for this unique event, and we hope it will continue to grow in the years to come.”
Vincent Boucher, Principal Organist at Saint Joseph’s Oratory, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration. “This event is a perfect fit for the Oratory’s mission to offer high-quality cultural events for everyone. Music lovers will enjoy discovering the exceptional acoustics of the crypt and the newly restored carillon, along with other heritage sites like the Garden of the Way of the Cross and the original chapel.”
Schedule of Free Mini-Concerts:
10:00 a.m. – Welcome Pavilion: OCM Quartet
11:00 a.m. – Garden of the Way of the Cross: OCM Quartet
12:00 p.m. – Place de la Sainte-Famille: Andrée-Anne Doane, Carillon
2:00 p.m. – Basilica (Choir): Marc Djokic, violin
3:00 p.m. – Basilica: Vincent Boucher, organ
4:00 p.m. – Original Chapel: Petites Étoiles
8:30 p.m. – Terrace: Brass Quintet (sunset concert)
Ticketed Concert – The Great Classics:
7:00 p.m. – Oratory Crypt: Orchestre classique de Montréal, conducted by Jean-Marie Zeitouni
Program:
Vivian Fung – Pizzicato for String Orchestra
J.S. Bach – Air on the G String, BWV 1068
W.A. Mozart – Divertimento in D Major, K. 136
M. Skoryk – Melodiya (Prayer for Ukraine)
P.I. Tchaikovsky – Serenade for Strings
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