Simon Rivard, CONDUCTOR

Credits: Pierre-Étienne Bergeron
Simon Rivard has been serving as Resident Conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Conductor of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra since 2018. He has recently been named a 2019/20 Equilibrium Young Artist as part of Canadian soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan's internationally acclaimed mentorship program for early career professional musicians.
At the TSO, Rivard is mentored by Interim Artistic Director Sir Andrew Davis. In addition to leading school and family concerts as well as special events, he has been assisting world-class conductors such as Gustavo Gimeno, Donald Runnicles, Barbara Hannigan, Ludovic Morlot, John Storgårds, and Thomas Dausgaard. In 2019, he made a successful debut with Symphony Nova Scotia (Halifax, Canada) and Finnish violinist Elina Vähälä.
In 2018, Rivard was invited to participate in the first Conducting Mentorship Program at the Verbier Festival Academy (Switzerland). In addition to being mentored by Valery Gergiev, he acted as assistant conductor to Sir Simon Rattle, Gianandrea Noseda, Marc Minkowski and Gábor Tákacs-Nagy. At the conclusion of the Verbier Festival, he was awarded a Special Prize, to help him pursue his mentorship with maestros Gergiev and Noseda.
In 2017-18, Rivard served as Resident Conductor of the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra (Ontario, Canada). In 2017, he stepped in for Jean-Philippe Tremblay as Music Director of the Orchestre de la Francophonie, leading successful performances in Montreal, Quebec, Domaine Forget and Ottawa.
Born in Montreal (Quebec), Rivard studied violin performance with Anne Robert and orchestral conducting with Raffi Armenian at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal. He completed an MMus in Orchestral Conducting at McGill University under Alexis Hauser and Guillaume Bourgogne.
Bach, J.S. |
Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C Major, BWV 1066
March 2016 | Ensemble Sérénade (performance) |
Concerto for 4 pianos, BWV 1065 (from Vivaldi)
Summer 2017 | Orchestre de la Francophonie (performance) |
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“Chaconne”, from Partita No. 2 for violin, BWV 1004 (arr. by Paul Sarcich for violin and orchestra | 2017)
Summer 2017 | Orchestre de la Francophonie | Alexandre Da Costa (3 performances) |
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Bartók, B. |
Six Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 68
2011/01/22 | OPMEM (performance) 2016/03/28 | Ensemble Sérénade (performance) |
Beethoven, L.v. |
Egmont Overture, op. 84
March 2017 | Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra (audition) Summer 2017 | Orchestre de la Francophonie (3 performances) |
Coriolan Overture, op. 62
November 2015 | McGill Beethoven Orchestra (rehearsals) |
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Violin Concerto in D Major, op. 61
Summer 2017 | Orchestre de la Francophonie | Kerson Leong (2 performances) |
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Romance no. 2 in F Major, op. 50
2016/03/27 | McGill Beethoven Orchestra | Liz Skinner (performance) |
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Symphony No. 1 in C Major, op. 21
2011/12/05 | Montreal Conservatory Orchestra (performance) Summer 2017 | Orchestre de la Francophonie (4 performances) |
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Symphony No. 2 in D Major, op. 36
October and November 2016 | McGill Beethoven Orchestra (rehearsals) |
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Symphony No. 3 in Eb Major, op. 55
2016/03/27 | McGill Beethoven Orchestra (performance) |
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Symphony No. 4 in Bb Major, op. 60
November 2016 | McGill Beethoven Orchestra (rehearsals) |
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Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, op. 67
December 2015 | McGill Beethoven Orchestra (rehearsals) |
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Symphony No. 8 in F Major, op. 93
March 2012 | Montreal Conservatory Orchestra (rehearsals) |
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Berlioz, H. |
“Scène d'amour” from Roméo et Juliette, H. 79
Summer 2017 | Orchestre de la Francophonie (5 performances) |
Berio, L. |
Laborintus II (1965)
February/March 2016 | McGill Contemporary Ensemble (rehearsals) |
Bertrand, S. |
Rideaux et Fanfares (2004)
Summer 2017 | Orchestre de la Francophonie (2 performances) |
Bilodeau, J. |
Célébration, for full orchestra (2001)
2012/07/12 | Orchestre de la Francophonie (performance) |
Bizet, G. |
Carmen Suite No. 1
Summer 2017 | Orchestre des jeunes du 150e du Canada (2 performances) |
Symphony in C
Summer 2017 | Orchestre de la Francophonie (performance) |
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Brady, T. |
Symphony No. 4, "The How and the Why of Memory" (2010-2013)
Summer 2017 | Orchestre de la Francophonie (performance) |
Britten, B. |
Les Illuminations, op. 18
2015/02/12 | Montreal Lyric Orchestra | Éthel Guéret (performance) |
Brahms, J. |
Tragic Overture, op. 81
2012/04/14 | Montreal Conservatory Orchestra (performance) 2016/07/13 | Orchestre de la Francophonie (performance) |
Symphony no. 4 in E Minor, op. 98
July 2012 | Orchestre de la Francophonie (rehearsals) |
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Hungarian Dance No. 1 in G Minor
2016/03/28 | Ensemble Sérénade (performance) |
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Hungarian Dance No. 5 in F# Minor
2016/03/28 | Ensemble Sérénade (performance) |
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Chaminade, C. |
Flute Concertino in D Major, op. 107
2016/07/28 | Orchestre de la Francophonie | Lindsay Bryden (perf.) |
Chausson, E. |
Poème de l’amour et de la mer, op. 19
2015/04/18 | Montreal Lyric Orchestra | Julie Boulianne (performance) |
Chiasson, F. |
Ouverture sur un thème de Vitali (2014)
Summer 2017 | Orchestre de la Francophonie | Alexandre Da Coasta (2 performances) |
Coulthard, J. |
Ballade: A Winter’s Tale (1940)
2015/02/12 | Montreal Lyric Orchestra (performance) |
Corigliano, J. |
Elegy, for orchestra (1965)
June 2012 | Orchestre de la Francophonie (masterclass) |
DeMey, T. |
Silence Must Be!, for conductor and percussions (2002)
2016/02/26 | McGill Contemporary Ensemble (performance) |
Dukas, P. |
Symphony in C Major
2016/05/17 | Orchestre Sinfonia de Montréal (rehearsal) |
Dvořák, A. |
Karneval Overture, op. 92
2012/02/16 | Montreal Conservatory Orchestra (performance) 2012/02/17 | Montreal Conservatory Orchestra (performance) |
Elgar, E. |
Introduction & Allegro for strings, op. 47
2015/02/12 | Montreal Lyric Orchestra (performance) 2016/07/13 | Orchestre de la Francophonie (performance) |
Goulet, J. |
Zersistre: Le mystère de la falaise (2016 | World Premiere)
2016/07/20 | Orchestre de la Francophonie (performance) |
Gregson, E. |
Piano Concerto No. 2, Homages
November 2016 | McGill Wind Symphony (rehearsals) |
Haydn, J. |
Trumpet Concerto in Eb Major, Hob. VIIe:1
Summer 2017 | Orchestre de la Francophonie | Tyler Lindsay (2 performances) |
Violin Concerto in C Major, Hob. VIIa:1
Summer 2017 | Orchestre de la Francophonie | Hélène Collerette (performance) |
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Lamothe, L. |
Danza No. 4
2016/07/28 | Orchestre de la Francophonie (performance) |
Mahler, G. |
Symphony No. 2 in C Minor
July 2011 | Bard College Institute Orchestra (excerpts performed) July & August 2016 | Orchestre de la Francophonie (rehearsals) |
Symphony No. 4 in G Major
2014/10/23 | Montreal Lyric Orchestra | Aline Kutan (performance) 2017/08/04 | Orchestre de la Francophonie | Andréanne Brisson-Paquin (performance) |
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“Adagietto”, from Symphony No. 5 in C# Minor
June 2012 | Orchestre de la Francophonie (masterclass) |
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Rückert-Lieder
2015/01/16 | Montreal University Chamber Orchestra | Simon Chalifoux (performance, without "Um Mitternacht") |
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Mehdizadeh, D. |
Tufaan, for large orchestra (2016 | World Premiere)
2016/07/20 | Orchestre de la Francophonie (performance) |
Mendelssohn, F. |
Symphony No. 3 in A Minor, op. 56, Scottish
September 2016 | McGill Beethoven Orchestra (rehearsals) |
Les Hébrides Overture
January 2017 | Orchestre symphonique des jeunes de Montréal (rehearsals) |
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Milhaud, D. |
Le Boeuf sur le toit (version for violin and orchestra by J.M. Zeitouni)
2017/08/04 | Orchestre de la Francophonie | Julie Triquet (performance) |
Morel, F. |
Requiem for Winds (1966)
November 2016 | McGill Wind Symphony (rehearsals) |
Mozart, W.A. |
Overture from Don Giovanni, K. 527
2012/10/04 | "Mozart at the Opera" Orchestra (performance) |
Overture from Die Zauberflöte, K. 620
March 2017 | Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra (audition) |
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Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K. 550
2012/10/04 | "Mozart at the Opera" Orchestra (performance) |
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Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K. 551
October 2015 | McGill Beethoven Orchestra (rehearsals) |
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"Batti, batti, o bel Masetto" from Le Nozze di Figaro, K. 492
2012/10/04 | "Mozart at the Opera" Orchestra (performance) |
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"Dal tuo gentil sembiante" from Ascanio in Alba, K. 111
2012/10/04 | "Mozart at the Opera" Orchestra (performance) |
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"Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja" from Die Zauberflöte, K. 620
2012/10/04 | "Mozart at the Opera" Orchestra (performance) |
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"Il mio tesoro" from Don Giovanni, K. 527
2012/10/04 | "Mozart at the Opera" Orchestra (performance) |
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"L'ho perduta!" from Le Nozze di Figaro, K. 492
2012/10/04 | "Mozart at the Opera" Orchestra (performance) |
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"Non so più, cosa son, cosa faccio" from Le Nozze di Figaro, K. 492
2012/10/04 | "Mozart at the Opera" Orchestra (performance) |
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"Parto! ma tu ben mio" from La Clemenza di Tito, K. 621
2012/10/04 | "Mozart at the Opera" Orchestra (performance) |
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"Pa- pa- pa-", duet from Die Zauberflöte, K. 620
2012/10/04 | "Mozart at the Opera" Orchestra (performance) |
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"Prenderò quell' brunettino", duet from Così fan tutte, K. 588
2012/10/04 | "Mozart at the Opera" Orchestra (performance) |
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"Andrò ramingo e solo" Quartet from Idomeneo, K. 366
2012/10/04 | "Mozart at the Opera" Orchestra (performance) |
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"Hm! Hm! Hm!" Quintet from Die Zauberflöte, K. 620
2012/10/04 | "Mozart at the Opera" Orchestra (performance) |
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O’Callaghan, J. |
AMONG AM A, for ensemble and electronics (2015)
2016/11/18 | McGill Contemporary Music Ensemble (performance) |
Offenbach, J. |
Orphée aux Enfers
2012/05/13 | Montreal West Operatic Society (performance) |
Barcarolle
2016/04/28 | Orchestre de la Francophonie (performance) |
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Paredes, H. |
Demente Cuerda (2004)
2016/09/23 | McGill Contemporary Music Ensemble (rehearsal) |
Rachmaninov, S. |
Symphonic Dances
January 2017 | Orchestre symphonique des jeunes de Montréal (rehearsals) |
Ravel, M. |
Shéhérazade
2015/04/18 | Montreal Lyric Orchestra | Julie Boulianne (performance) |
Pavane pour une infante défunte
2016/07/28 | Orchestre de la Francophonie (performance) |
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Respighi, O. |
Gli Ucelli, Suite for Orchestra
March 2017 | Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra (audition) |
Rihm, W. |
Transitus (2013)
2016/03/23 | McGill Symphony Orchestra (rehearsals) |
Rival, R. |
Confluence (2017 | World Premiere)
Summer 2017 | Orchestre des jeunes du 150e (2 performances) |
Rossini, G. |
L'Italiana in Algeri, Overture
Summer 2017 | Orchestre de la Francophonie (4 performances) |
Scalia, G. |
Gewissen gegen Gewalt (2017 | World Premiere)
Summer 2017 | Orchestre de la Francophonie (4 performances) |
Schubert, F. |
An die Musik, D. 547 (arr. for orchestra)
2014/10/23 | Montreal Lyric Orchestra | Aline Kutan (performance) |
Symphony No. 9 (8) « Great » in C Major, D. 944
January 2012 | Montreal Conservatory Orchestra (rehearsals) |
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Sibelius, J. |
Symphony No. 2 in D Major, op. 43
December 2011 | Montreal Conservatory Orchestra (rehearsals) |
Symphony No. 5 in Eb Major, op. 82
July 2011 | Bard College Institute Orchestra (excerpts performed) |
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Skalkottas, N. |
5 Greek Dances, op. 11 (Universal Edition)
2016/03/28 | Ensemble Sérénade (performance) |
Strauss II, J. |
Overture from Die Fledermaus
March 2017 | Thunder Bay Symphony (audition) |
Strauss, R. |
Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks, op. 28
July 2011 | Bard College Institute Orchestra (excerpts performed) |
Stravinsky, I. |
Suite from L'Histoire du soldat
December 2016 | Auditions for the National Masters Conducting (Amsterdam) |
Symphonies of Wind Instruments (1920 version)
2015/10/15 | McGill Wind Orchestra (performance) |
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Tchaikovsky, P.I. |
Overture-Fantasy Romeo & Juliet, TH 42
2012/07/16 | Orchestre de la Francophonie (performance) |
Symphony No. 4 in F Minor, op. 36
July 2016 | Orchestre de la Francophonie (rehearsal) |
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Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, op. 64
2016/09/16 | McGill Symphony Orchestra (rehearsal) |
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Variations on a Rococo Theme, for cello and orchestra, op. 33
December 2016 | McGill Beethoven Orchestra (rehearsals) |
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Toraman, Z. |
Epokhe, for ensemble and electronics (2016 | World Premiere)
2016/11/18 | McGill Contemporary Music Ensemble (performance) |
Touizrar, M. |
Au bord du Léthé (2016 | World Premiere)
2016/02/26 | McGill Contemporary Music Ensemble (performance) |
Wagenseil, G.C. |
Concerto for alto trombone in Eb Major
2016/03/28 | Ensemble Sérénade | Julie Harnois (performance) |
Wagner, R. |
Siegfried Idyll, WWV 103x
2012/07/22 | Orchestre de la Francophonie (performance) |
- Model ID: GLDA418252