Philadelphia Orchestra Director Will Soon Share Talents With Metropolitan Opera
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A young maestro, adored by his fellow musicians and fans, the conductor of the world renown, Philadelphia Orchestra is taking on added duties, a position others could only dream about.
It's a chorus of contracts for Yannick Nezet-Seguin, who became Music Director of the Philadelphia Orchestra in 2012. He will also lead the Metropolitan Opera, as that company's long tenured music director, James Levine passes the baton to the 41-year old Nezet-Seguin.
On the Philadelphia Orchestra's YouTube channel, Nezet-Seguin said it's an "irresistible" arrangement.
'I never imagined that I could live the dream of having the legendary and magnificent Philadelphia Orchestra in my life. And then, joined to this dream, becoming the music director of the premiere, and most extraordinary opera house, the Metropolitan opera.'
In a simultaneous development with the Met announcement, the Philadelphia Orchestra says he has renewed his deep commitment here, by extending his contract with the Philadelphia Orchestra in the position through 2025, at least.
How can he hold down both jobs at once? His contract with the Philadelphia ensemble requires at least 15-weeks, per season, at a minimum, for the next ten-years. At the Met, he will become music director designate in a year-and-a half, doing two operas per season, and music director in 2021, leading five productions a season.
The Orchestra and the Met declined to say how much he would be paid.