Conductor Alexandre Da Costa's tenure at Longueuil orchestra ends by mutual agreement

Alexandre Da Costa's contract as artistic director and conductor of the Orchestre philharmonique du Québec has ended by mutual agreement, concluding his tenure nearly two years early. The separation took effect June 30, though the official announcement came Thursday.

Da Costa, who had been contracted through the 2028-2029 season after a February 2021 extension, accepted the role of principal artistic director with Orquesta Sinfónica Sinaloa de las Artes in Mexico (announced June 2025), alongside other European commitments. The orchestra's board president, Me Jean-Jacques Rainville, confirmed the parting was amicable. "It was done by mutual agreement," he said. "We agreed to simply end our collaboration."

The move leaves the South Shore ensemble (formally known as the Orchestre symphonique de Longueuil, now operating under the OPQ brand name since July 2023) navigating questions about its future direction and leadership. Marc David, the orchestra's original long-serving musical director, will assist with planning the 2026-2027 season. The orchestra is also searching to fill the general director role, vacant since Véronique Bugeaud departed in August 2025 after roughly one year in the position.

Rainville indicated the board is refocusing on the orchestra's core mission in the Montérégie region, working with Longueuil and surrounding municipalities to strengthen its regional presence. "Our primary mission is the territory of the Montérégie," he explained. The coming season announcement will clarify next steps, but the organization faces a period of restructuring as it recalibrates after nearly a decade under Da Costa's leadership.