New reviews

Jean-Claude obtained enthusiastic reviews for conducting Orff’s Carmina Burana with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens in April 2024:

“You don’t get the impression that you’re just watching a dance event. Often, even, the eyes are drawn offstage: the impressive conductor Jean-Claude Picard delivers a captivating performance. The choirs on both sides of Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier elevate the already monumental music, the soloists perform flawlessly. The intensity of the encounter between the three ensembles is undeniable.” – Sors-tu?

“Canadian conductor Jean-Claude Picard gives it his all in this rendition of Carmina Burana. The result of the collaboration between the expressionist choreography, the well-directed orchestra, the sublime chorus and solo singers, and a simple but effective set has brought the audience an hour-long work of choral and orchestral genius. The voices of Aline Kutan, Dominique Côté and the young Filipino-Canadian tenor Mishael Eusebio are remarkable.” – Arts et Culture

 

Cape Symphony

Jean-Claude is delighted to have been invited to guest conduct the Cape Symphony as a candidate for its sought-after music director position. As such, he will be opening the orchestra’s 62nd season in September 2024, conducting a dynamic program featuring works by Adams, Frank, Strauss, and Mussorgsky/Ravel. A vibrant organization situated on beautiful Cape Cod in the USA, Cape Symphony is the second largest professional orchestra in Massachusetts, following the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Music directorships

After thorough and competitive searches involving a substantial number of applicants, Jean-Claude has been invited to guest conduct two orchestras based in the USA as a candidate for their highly sought-after music director positions. Further details will follow.

Return visits to Les Grands Ballets Canadiens.

A valued collaborator with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Jean-Claude is looking forward to his return to the Company for two upcoming engagements. Firstly, he will be conducting a program showcasing Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana“, choreographed by Edward Clug. Subsequently, he will conduct the beloved classic “Giselle” by Adolphe Adam, featuring choreography by Ivan Cavallari based on Marius Petipa‘s original work.

Les Grands Ballets Canadiens

Victoria Symphony

Jean-Claude enjoyed a successful 4th visit to the Victoria Symphony last 1st of October, this time stepping in at short notice. The program included Ravel’s “Le Tombeau de Couperin”, Nielsen’s Flute Concerto with soloist Arin Sarkissian, and Haydn’s 85th Symphony “La Reine”.

New review

Following Jean-Claude’s last concert at the helm of the Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières,  Le Nouvelliste wrote, in reaction to their interpretation of Nielsen’s Symphony No. 2:

“Under the spirited direction of Jean-Claude Picard, the OSTR navigated into the human soul with fervor and ease. The conductor seemed to take a keen pleasure in making the orchestra disappear at the end of some chapters in pianissimos that betrayed only but the most imperceptible vibrations in the air. A few moments later, to mark the accents of anger intended by Nielsen, the maestro gave the impression that his feet were losing contact with the ground. The orchestra reciprocated straight away.” – March 2023

Jean-Claude obtains great reviews.

Jean-Claude obtained glowing reviews last May for his role in the performances of “The Scandal at Mayerling”, known as one of the most challenging ballet to conduct:

“Every single step, especially en pointe is intricately placed in perfect precision to each note of the lush, lyrical score by Franz Liszt. Jean-Claude Picard conducts the superb Scottish Ballet Orchestra with vivacious tempo and flowing fluidity.” Edinburgh Guide, May 2022

“Franz Liszt’s lush but relentless score is just as demanding on the Scottish Ballet Orchestra as MacMillan’s choreography is on the dancers. They deliver it flawlessly under the baton of conductor Jean-Claude Picard.” The Press and Journal, May 2022

“The music is by Liszt, tastefully orchestrated by Martin Yates and played heroically by the musicians of Scottish Ballet’s orchestra in repertoire that is a long way from their regular diet. Jean-Claude Picard, the company’s music director, shapes it with power and punch.” Seen and Heard International, May 2022.

 

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