NEWS
NEWS | JUNE 12, 2025
NEWFOUNDLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
MUSIC DIRECTOR APPOINTMENT
“Under Simon’s exceptional artistic direction, the orchestra will be able to continue its development and professionalization as we strive to take our place among the best orchestras in Canada.” (translation)
LUDWIG VAN MONTRÉAL
REVIEW | MAY 14, 2025
OPÉRA DE MONTRÉAL
LA BOHÈME
“Under the baton of conductor Simon Rivard, who is making his debut at the Opéra de Montréal with this production, the orchestra is almost like an additional character, supporting, commenting on, or complementing the action on stage.” (translation)
LUDWIG VAN MONTRÉAL
REVIEW | MAY 14, 2025
OPÉRA DE MONTRÉAL
LA BOHÈME
“The Orchestre Métropolitain played brilliantly under Simon Rivard. I would have listened to them play Puccini’s score all by themselves, from the boisterous ensemble scenes to the no-holds-barred emotion of the love duets.”
OPERA CANADA
REVIEW | APR 3, 2025
ORCHESTRE SYMPHONIQUE DE MONTRÉAL
FANTASIA
“Conductor Simon Rivard did excellent work. Musical effects — during the Pastorale Symphony’s storm, for example — were spot on and we admired the conductor and musicians for keeping their cool amidst all the cuts in the score which forced them to play differently works that they know so well.” (translation)
LE DEVOIR
REVIEW | OCT 26, 2022
EDMONTON OPERA
TOSCA
“The Edmonton Symphony, was once again led by Toronto Symphony resident conductor Simon Rivard, (he conducted La bohème), and the group played the Puccini score as well as any seasoned pit orchestra whose job it was to perform opera all the time. The string playing, with the bells ringing in the background, in the introduction to act three, was exquisite, and the clarinet playing accompanying Cavaradossi’s beautiful “E lucevan le stelle” in act three, was pristine.”
OPERA CANADA
REVIEW | FEB 7, 2022
EDMONTON OPERA
LA BOHÈME
“Conductor Simon Rivard led the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra to breathe life into Puccini’s beloved score. Rivard, the Resident Conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, conducted with energy and passion, with sprightly tempi especially during the market scene of Act II.”
SCHMOPERA
REVIEW | JUNE 29, 2021
AGAINST THE GRAIN
SAVITRI
“It is an atmospheric score writ large, and is beautifully captured by conductor Simon Rivard and his 12-member ensemble. In fact, Rivard ably renders the subtle tones which pervade most of the score, yet builds to the few dramatic climaxes in goodly fashion.”
LUDWIG VAN TORONTO
REVIEW | APRIL 28, 2021
ORCHESTRE SYMPHONIQUE DE QUÉBEC
BEETHOVEN'S FIFTH
“From the start of Dvořák's Carnival Overture, we feel a conductor fully in possession of his powers. The music breathes and flows from the source. It's like smelling the fresh air of the Bohemian valleys. The passion of the opening gives way to a remarkable relaxation in the middle section. [...] Simon Rivard knows exactly what he's doing in Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. Simon Rivard is a conductor with ideas to spare, who has a natural authority and well-channelled energy. A name to watch!" (translation)
LE SOLEIL