Major changes will affect the musical life of the Frenbch city of Metz (Lorraine). While the National Orchestra of Lorraine and Metz Scènes are considering a merger and already search a common general manager to be appointed next year, the Républicain Lorrain announced that the Music Director of the National Orchestra of Lorraine, Jacques Mercier, 70, will retire. Mercier, a native of Metz, has been in this job since 2002. Supposedly the search for a successor will be started once the new structure of the Cité de la Musique Metz will be operational.