Canadian conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin to helm Philadelphia Orchestra as 8th music director

Canadian conductor to helm Philadelphia Orchestra

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Orchestra has chosen 35-year-old Canadian conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin to become its eighth music director.

Under the appointment expected to be approved by the orchestra’s board Monday, Nezet-Seguin will have the title of music director-designate for the next two seasons, formally taking over in the fall of 2012. Chief conductor Charles Dutoit will become conductor laureate then.

The contract runs through 2017, but board chairman Richard B. Worley said he hopes the conductor will remain for a decade or longer.

Worley says he believes the orchestra has “attracted a rising star early in his career,” which will help build audiences.

The offer came after came after Nezet-Seguin had made only two visits to Verizon Hall in 2008 and 2009.

Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, www.philly.com