Yannick Nzet-Sguin commits to 6 more years at Orchestre Mtropolitain

Montreal'sYannickNzet-Sguindecided he wanted to be a conductor at age 10. And he's doing just that.

He first joined Montreal'sOrchestreMtropolitainas musical directorin 2000, at age 25.

Nzet-Sguinannouncedthis week that he will continue for at least another 6 yearsas music director of theOM.

In addition,Nzet-Sguinnow directswhat he calls the dream ensembles, the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Rotterdam Philharmonic. He also guest conducts in Berlin, Vienna and London.

The OM opens its35thseason Sunday, Sept. 20with a program ofBach, Bruckner and Mahler.

The next day, he'll also be on the podium at the New YorkMetropolitan Opera, with a production of Otello by Verdi.Nzet-Sguinhas conducted regularly at the Metropolitan Opera since2009.

It's not a stretch to wonder ifhe might some day take over as music directorat the famed opera house.

"Who knows. At some point to be at the head or music director of a major opera house probably might happen," Nzet-Sguinsaid.

"Butfor me, it's too soon to contemplate. For the moment, Icannot imagine doing anything else than dividing my time between Philadelphia, Rotterdamand Montrealand being guest there and who knows what the future will be."

Nzet-Sguinkeeps up his energetic conducting style by working with a personal trainer.

"I want to be able to conduct as much as I can," he said.

"It's also a way of balancing your own life and keeping that energy which is a little of my signature.I want to conduct in my 90s and 100s.I still have a long way to go."

Key dates in the Montreal conductor's rapid rise:

• 1975: Born in Montreal to parents who were both university educators
• 1980: At age five, started to study piano
• 1985: At age 10, decided to become an orchestra conductor
• 1995: At age 19, founded his own professional orchestra and choir, La Chapelle de Montral
• 2000: At age 25,named musical director of OrchestreMtropolitain de Montral
• 2008: At age 33,chosen principal conductor of Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra by unanimous vote
• 2012:At age 37, named music director of Philadelphia Orchestra after being invited by Charles Dutoit to conduct