Boris Brott in 2001. Photo by Gordon Beck / Montreal Gazette Archives
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Boris Broot, the artistic director of the Orchester classique de Montréal (OCM), died on Tuesday after being hit by a car in Hamilton, Aude. He was 78.
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Brott was a pedestrian who was fatally hit in a collision and run, the Hamilton Spectator reported. Hamilton police said they received a call to 911 shortly after 10 p.m. reporting a vehicle driving on the wrong side of the road and asking all patrols to watch the vehicle. Brott was hit around 10:20 p.m. He was taken to hospital, where he died of his injuries. The driver fled the spot and was arrested about 2.5 km from the spot. Hamilton police said three police officers were injured in the incident and the Ontario Special Investigation Unit has been called in to investigate what happened. “The entire OCM family is in a state of distrust,” OCM wrote in a statement. “Boris Brott was the beating heart of the Orchester classique de Montréal, a famous leader in the world of classical music in North America and beyond, a mentor to countless young musicians and a very dear friend to so many. Thus, his sudden death leaves a deep void in our music community and a deep sadness in our personal life “.
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Brot was to conduct the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at a Ukrainian concert and fundraiser on April 20. “OCM remains dedicated to the highest musical ideals of its founders, Alexander and Lotte Brott, ideals that were promoted with passion and determination by our dear Maestro Brott. We will continue to make great music and touch people, inspired by Boris’s standards of excellence, his indomitable spirit, his dedication to sharing his musical talents with people from all walks of life and his love for humanity”. Born in Montreal in 1944, Brott was the son of Alexander Brott, who founded the OCM (then called the McGill Chamber Orchestra) in 1939. Boris Brott studied at McGill and had a distinguished career as conductor for many orchestras, including the Philharmonic. Hamilton Orchestra, led from 1969 to 1990. He also conducted a summer music festival in Hamilton. Brot became an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1986 and a member of the Order of Ontario in 2006. He was also voted one of the top five Hamiltonians of all time by the Spectator. Brott was survived by his wife, Ardyth, and children Ben, Alexandra and David.
