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The Canadian conductor, Antoine Plante, obtained his Bachelor of Music degree from the Conservatoire de Musique de Montréal (1992-1997); and his Master of Music degree from Rice University (1997-1999).
Antoine Plante, Artistic Director and co-founder of Houston-based Mercury Chamber Orchestra (since 1999/2000), is praised by audiences and musicians alike for his conducting verve and innovative programming, bringing music to life with accessibility and depth. "Plante led his orchestra, the choir and the soloists in an impressive account of the Requiem: authoritative, vigorous, emotionally intense, at times utterly gripping,” said Charles Ward of the Houston Chronicle. Under his artistic direction, Mercury Chamber Orchestra has experienced remarkable audience growth and Antoine Plante has become known for his deftness in balancing a great works repertoire with lesser-known pieces and new orchestrations. His exciting musicality has made him an audience favorite, as evidenced by Mercury Chamber Orchestra’s subscription renewal rate of over eighty percent and the orchestra’s need to move to ever-larger halls.
A passionate supporter of classical music education, Antoine Plante has guided Mercury Chamber Orchestra’s music education programs, a significant effort that includes classroom music education in under-served schools, master-classes for school orchestras, and performances for schoolchildren. Plante has also earned a reputation for coaching musicians in period performance technique. Musicians that have worked with him form the core of Houston's spirited early music scene.
Antoine Plante is experienced in directing orchestral pieces as well as works for voice, and has conducted several operas and ballets. He has collaborated with noted director Pascal Rambert to produce a modern staged version of Lully’s Armide, performed to critical acclaim in Paris and Houston; with Dominic Walsh Dance Theater to create a score for the Dominic Walsh ballet Romeo and Juliet; and with Tara Faircloth to create the original multi-disciplinary production Loving Clara Schumann.
Recently, Antoine Plante has conducted George Frideric Handel’s complete Messiah and Water Music, as well as W.A. Mozart’s Requiem and J.S. Bach's St. Matthew Passion (BWV 244). His opera repertoire includes Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, Antonio Vivaldi’s Montezuma and G.F. Handel’s Rodelinda. In addition to Baroque pieces, his repertoire includes Classical works such as W.A. Mozart, L.v. Beethoven and Haydn symphonies.
Antoine Plante has been guest conductor of Chanticleer, the San Antonio Symphony, Ecuador National Symphony Orchestra, Houston Grand Opera, Oregon Bach Festival and Atlanta Baroque Orchestra. He also played double-bass in Houston Grand Opera (January 2002-January 2007). |
