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Media Advisory - Interview/Photo Opportunity Hamilton's Civic Leaders Come Together to Celebrate the City's World-Class Achievement in Arts & Culture

WHAT:	Hamilton's most prominent citizens will gather to celebrate the city's world-class success and standing in the arts. The evening will feature: Musical performances by artists from The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra (HPO) Quartet and Opera Hamilton; Opportunity for guests to explore the Art Gallery of Hamilton's (AGH) banner exhibition entitled, Framed: The Art of the Portrait and to wander the gallery to take in the best that Hamilton has to offer. As a sponsor of the AGH, the HPO and Opera Hamilton for the 2007 season, BMO Financial Group will be hosting a cocktail event to celebrate the contributions of these three organizations to the arts in Hamilton and surrounding areas. Media are invited to attend this unprecedented collaborative evening. Photo and interview opportunities are available with Louise Dompierre (AGH), David Speers (Opera Hamilton), James Sommerville and Alex Baran (HPO) and Gerald Hedgcock (BMO); please RSVP if you would like to attend.
WHEN:	Wednesday, April 11, 2007 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
WHERE:	Art Gallery of Hamilton 123 King Street West, Hamilton, ON The Sculpture Atrium and the Main Pavilion
WHO:	Louise Dompierre, President and CEO, Art Gallery of Hamilton David Speers, General Director, Opera Hamilton James Sommerville, Artistic Director Designate, Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra Alex Baran, Executive Director, Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra Gerald Hedgcock, Vice-President, BMO Nesbitt Burns

The Arts in Hamilton: A Remarkable Success Story
Opera Hamilton has grown to be one of the largest opera companies in Canada, and a well-respected player in the North American opera industry. Since inception, it has cultivated 800 donors, nearly 3,000 loyal subscribers, and provided over 12,000 opera fans annually for the company.

Founded in 1914 with 29 paintings in its permanent collection, the Art Gallery of Hamilton is now Ontario's third largest public art gallery and owns one of the finest collections in the country. Recently renovated, the AGH houses a collection that has grown to over 8,500 works, reflecting its three areas of specialty: Canadian historical, Canadian contemporary and European historical – particularly 19th-century – art, and organizes, hosts and/or circulates approximately 25-30 engaging exhibitions each year.

Hamilton's fully professional symphony Orchestra, the Hamilton Philharmonic, started 122 years ago in a city that was predominately a working class industrial city. As the City has grown and flourished, so too have the arts. The HPO plays a vital role in music education in Hamilton, Burlington and the surrounding areas. World-class musicians provide concerts, group teaching, coaching mentoring and individual lessons to children at all levels of skill and income.

BMO and the Arts
At BMO Financial Group we believe a strong and vital cultural life is part of a truly healthy community. We find ways to help at many different levels, from fostering young and emerging artistic voices to supporting our most cherished cultural institutions.

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Hamilton's world-class success and standing in the arts was celebrated at an evening gala at the Art Gallery of Hamilton today. Sponsors George Heisz, VP, BMO Bank of Montreal (left) and BMO Nesbitt Burns VP, Gerald Hedgcock (far right), toast International Opera singers Norine Burgess (back right) and Alexander Dobson (back left), who will be singing for Opera Hamilton throughout 2007.