Yannick Nzet-Sguin's Met Opera appointment the pride of Montreal

Yannick Nzet-SguincalledsucceedingJames Levine as music director of New York'sfamedMetropolitan Opera the culmination of a"childhood's dream."

• Montrealer Yannick Nzet-Sguin's new job at the Met Opera 'a dream come true'

Now, the city that saw Nzet-Sguin grow from a 10-year-old dreamer to the soon-to-be conductor of one of the world's best opera houses is rejoicing with him.

"I felt really, really proud. Proud for him. Proud for us Montreal, Quebec, Canada. What a great ambassador," saidJean Dupr, president of Montreal'sOrchestre Mtropolitain, where Nezet-Sguin became music director at the age of 25.

Even then, Dupr said it was clear the young conductor was destined for greatness.

A young Yannick Nzet-Sguin conducts in a school performance

8 years ago

Duration 2:14

In this home video , Montreal orchestra conductor Yannick Nzet-Sguin is seen conducting for a school performance as a child.

"He was able to bring this orchestra, which is today 35 years old, to a level that was never expected," Dupr said.

"He is the incarnation of a genius in music. That's what Yannick is."

• The amazing rise of Montreal conductorYannickNzet-Sguin

For Michel Beaulac, who has watched Nzet-Sguin's star rise from the timehe was a young chorus master at the Opra de Montral, the conductor's genius comes from his ability bring the best out of his performers.

"One talent he has is certainly as one of the greatest opera conductors I've ever seen," saidBeaulac, theOM's artistic director."I don't know of one single singer who wasn't uplifted [or] giving it all to Yannick."

In an industry where many conductors yearn to be known by their last name, Beaulac says Nzet-Sguin'sfriendliness and generosity isillustrated by the fact that he is one of the few conductors of his calibre that so many refer to informally, by his first name.

For musicians and singers who have crossed paths with Nzet-Sguin inMontreal's opera houses, they saythat approachability pushed them to become better artists.

"When you're in front of him, you want to be perfect.You want tobe the best,"said baritonetienneDupuis.

• Lemons, rice balls and broken chinstraps: Backstage at MIMC's Violin 2016

"And he does that to everybody and he's not even asking for it it's just something that happens."

Nzet-Sguinis slated to make the big move to New York in 2020 andwill continue to head the Philadelphia Orchestra in the meantime.Duprdoubts he will ever forget his city.

"Montreal is home, so we're not worried."