FIRST THINGS FIRST It’s pronounced yah-NEEK nay-ZAY say-GHEN.
CURRENT JOBS Music director of the Philadelphia Orchestra since 2012 and of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra since 2008. Artistic director and principal conductor of the Orchestre Métropolitain in his hometown, Montreal, since 2000. He’s also a frequent guest with major European ensembles like the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonics.
WHEN HE STARTS There’s the rub: Not until 2020. (He will be “music director designate,” starting with the 2017-18 season, conducting two productions a year.)
HIS SPECIALTIES He’s a galvanizing force in the standard repertory, with a flair for the dramatic. Since his Met debut on New Year’s Eve, 2009, he has mostly led mainstream operas like “Carmen,” “Otello,” “Faust” and “La Traviata.” Verdi’s “Don Carlo” and Dvorak’s “Rusalka” have taken him off the beaten path, but only slightly; those are both classics, too.
A COMMUTING LIFE He announced on Thursday that he was extending his contract with the Philadelphia Orchestra through the 2025-26 season, so he’ll be spending a good deal of time shuttling along Interstate 95.
EARLY DREAMS Born in 1975, he began piano lessons at 5, and at 10, he decided he wanted to be a conductor.
A BIT OF INK He has a turtle tattoo on his right shoulder, acquired while on vacation in Tahiti.
PERSONAL LIFE His longtime partner, Pierre Tourville, is a violist in the Orchestre Métropolitain.
OUTSIDE INTERESTS The Philadelphia Inquirer has reported that he’s a fan of Belgian beer, Björk, Prada, Champagne (particularly Laurent-Perrier demi-sec) and tennis (particularly Rafael Nadal).
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