The Montreal Chamber Orchestra was founded in 1974 by its artistic director and conductor, Wanda Kaluzny. Since then, the MCO has earned a reputation for excellence and has achieved international recognition. In the 1990/91 season, the MCO performed a successful tour in Korea that included a television broadcast and recording. In November 1990, the MCO toured in the southeastern U.S.A., where critics felt the MCO's performance was "a rare delight, filled with elegant musicianship". In fact, the MCO's success attracted the attention of Columbia Artists' Management, the top impresario in North America, who invited the MCO to tour in California in March 1992. Again critics raved, stating "the Montreal Chamber Orchestra was exquisite to the very last note...the music was flawlessly performed" and "Kaluzny's direction was something to watch in itself...elegant has to be the word for her." In 2003, the Montreal Chamber Orchestra was honoured to be the first Canadian orchestra to be featured in two PBS programmes produced by VPT (Vermont Public Television). The first was an hour-long memorial concert entitled Requiem for Nine-Eleven; the second was a half-hour programme featuring works by Hofmann and J.C. Bach. The MCO can be heard on the compact disc Suites for Strings, on the SNE label.

The MCO's advancement is attributable primarily to Maestra Kaluzny's strong sense of direction and commitment to her profession. When the MCO celebrated its 20th anniversary, Kaluzny received congratulations from Canada's Prime Minister, Jean Chrétien, for having engendered "not only great enthusiasm for classical music, but also support for the creative development of an aspiring new generation of Canadian performers." The Mayor of Montreal, Pierre Bourque, thanked her for her contribution to Montreal's musical life stating that Kaluzny added "to the city's international élan." When the MCO celebrated its 30th anniversary, Jean Charest, Premier of Quebec, congratulated the MCO saying "The many honours bestowed on the Montreal Chamber Orchestra and the international reputation it has earned attest to the virtuosity and high level of musical excellence of this instrumental group". Canada's Prime Minister, Paul Martin, commended the MCO's founder, Wanda Kaluzny, "for her talent, vision and dedication over the past three decades" and he stated that "the Montreal Chamber Orchestra has amazed classical music lovers with its magical performances". Montreal Mayor, Gérald Tremblay, called the Montreal Chamber Orchestra "one of the jewels of cultural life in Montreal . . . they have enriched the lives of many Montrealers".

Notwithstanding the Orchestra's growing international reputation, it will continue to fulfill its primary responsibility which is to make a valuable contribution to the Montreal community: the MCO believes that classical music nourishes and enriches our lives and should be accessible to everyone regardless of economic background. There is no admission charge for concerts in the MCO's main series thanks to the generous support of our corporate sponsors and personal donors. The MCO is also committed to being an orchestra of discovery and will continue to introduce its Montreal audiences to exciting young soloists and to new repertoire, both contemporary and classical.

Last revision: January 18, 2005