MONTREAL - Eager to hear the first notes flutter inside their new home, Montreal's who's who gathered at the Montreal Symphony Orchestra's new concert hall Wednesday evening.

The building is not quite finished, with construction crews still working on the facade and exterior of 1600 St. Urbain St., but the MSO said the hall is primed to shine.

"We have a very difficult audience; they expect the very best," said Maestro Kent Nagano, the MSO's musical director.

The opening night performance featured Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, along with works by Quebec composers Gilles Tremblay, Julien Bilodeau and Claude Vivier.

"We have collectively so many butterflies in our stomach," said Nagano. "It's a big responsibility and a privilege. We can share the strength and communicate that to our community."

Those fortunate enough to attend the opening night performance were treated to an aural delight that has to be heard to be believed, said Tateo Nakajima managing partner at Artec, who spent years designing the auditorium.

The stunning shoebox-style hall is panelled with warm Quebec beech wood, helping the notes flow clearly.

"I'm very, very happy to be here. I'm the right place at the right moment," said actor Rémy Girard, on hand for the opening performance.

Astronaut Julie Payette also made sure not to miss the event.

"This has been a long time coming. It's wonderful," she said.

Unlike the room at Place des Arts, walls and ceiling panels can be moved to adjust the sound.

In addition, hundreds of seats can be removed from the new hall when a choir joins the orchestra.

"Symphonic music today has such a wide range of repertoire, all the way from baroque to contemporary music and so we're asking the room to work for a wide range of musicians," said Nakajima.

Those who were unable to attend the inaugural concert were be able to watch the performance outside on a giant screen.

Then on Thursday, Friday and Saturday the MSO will invite the public inside for an open house and tour of the new building in the Quartier des Spectacles, as well as more performances Friday and Saturday night.