OSM Summer Night Ball 2023 Dreamed Big and Raised $1M+
On Thursday, June 1st, the Montreal Symphony House and the Place des Arts Esplanade in downtown Montreal teemed with 400 guests who gathered for the 5th edition of the OSM Summer Night Ball. Better known as the Bal d’une nuit d’été, the gala set the bar for elegance and philanthropy, and raised over $1,000,000 to ensure the longevity of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.
Under the theme of Nocturnal Reveries, the night came alive, exuding a magical aura akin to the enchanting symphony of Mendelssohn’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Since its inception, the OSM Summer Night Ball has been a beacon for both up-and-comers and veterans of civil society, selling out annually. This year’s iteration, under the honorary co-chairmanship of Ben Almond (SNC-Lavalin) and Grégoire Baillargeon (BMO), was no exception.
From 6 PM, a champagne cocktail reception warmed the crowd, blending the enticing notes of conversation with the faint, thrilling anticipation of the night’s proceeding.
At 7 PM, the energy inside the Symphony House pulsated as Maestro Rafael Payare raised his baton to kick off a special concert…
…conducting pieces from Mendelssohn, Berlioz, and Ravel that echoed throughout the hall.
With the last lingering notes of Ravel’s La Valse, the revelers flowed onto the Place des Arts Esplanade for the Ball’s after-party: ÉCLATÉ.
Protected from the heat and the rain by a large transparent tent and an adjacent white dome, the cooled air filled with laughter and sparkling conversation as the festivities unfolded; young professionals rubbing elbows with senior executives from the business sector, all united in their appreciation for the arts and a shared philanthropic mission.
Performers brought to life the theme of the event – nocturnal reveries. Every corner of the dome was doused in sage smoke and bathed in star-like lights to evoke “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Looking back, OSM Summer Night Ball 2023 was a nighttime ballet of guests and patrons harmoniously twirling in their shared love for music and culture, unafraid to dream. Its echoes will reverberate through Montreal’s cultural scene for months to come, until the next, eagerly anticipated Bal d’une nuit d’été.
About the Foundation behind the OSM Summer Night Ball
The OSM Foundation was launched on April 2, 2009 to underscore the 75th anniversary of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. Its mission is to guarantee the long-term success of the Orchestra by providing it with the means of fulfilling a vision that will ensure its full development. The Foundation therefore organizes 4 annual fundraising events: Opening Night, Bal des enfants, Bal d’une nuit d’été and Bal d’une nuit d’été éclaté.
Facebook: @OSMconcerts | Instagram: @osmconcerts | Website: osm.ca
Photos credit: Adil Boukind, Gabriel Fournier, and Vincent Morreale
NEXT: LEGEND | Magical Evening of Beauties and Beasts at Yoko Luna
