Orchestre de Paris
France’s leading symphonic formation, comprising 119 musicians, the Orchestre de Paris has been led by its tenth Music Director, Klaus Mäkelä, since September 2021.
It distinguishes itself through a wide range of projects that are as varied as they are ambitious, multiplying educational initiatives alongside innovative artistic ventures. Highlights of the season 25/26 include the world premiere of Pascal Dusapin’s “operatorio” Antigone in a staging by Netia Jones, as well as the spring 2026 theatrical release of Philippe Béziat’s film Nous l’Orchestre, shot in intimate proximity to the musicians. The season also includes a tour of China with Esa-Pekka Salonen at the helm and Renaud Capuçon as soloist. In July 2026, Klaus Mäkelä makes his debuts on the opera stage at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, directing Die Frau ohne Schatten in a new staging by Barrie Kosky and Bluebeard’s Castle in concert form.
The Orchestre de Paris under Klaus Mäkelä already have three recordings to their name on the Decca label.
On the pedagogical front, the Orchestre de Paris has created an international academy for those young instrumentalists completing their studies and wishing to acquire substantial orchestral experience.
The Orchestre de Paris established its home at the Philharmonie de Paris from the moment of the venue’s inauguration in 2015; it now contributes to several of the Philharmonie’s flagship initiatives, including Démos (a programme for musical and orchestral education with a social mission) and La Maestra, an international competition promoting gender parity in orchestral conducting.
Broadening its audiences lies at the heart of the Orchestre de Paris’ priorities: whether in the various spaces of the Philharmonie de Paris or off-site, in Paris intra-muros or in the suburbs, it offers a wide range of activities for families, school groups and young people, including concerts specifically conceived for under 28-year-olds, as well as for audiences who suffer from limited access to music.
Founded in 1967 and heir to a long history dating back to the early nineteenth century, the Orchestre de Paris has been under the music directorship of Charles Munch, Herbert von Karajan, sir Georg Solti, Daniel Barenboim, Semyon Bychkov, Christoph von Dohnányi, Christoph Eschenbach, Paavo Järvi and Daniel Harding. From September 2027, following Klaus Mäkelä’s last season with the Orchestra, Esa-Pekka Salonen will become its Chief Conductor and Roberto González-Monjas its Principal Guest Conductor. A further sign of the privileged relationships forged over the years with exceptional soloists, Sarah Nemtanu joins the Orchestra as permanent violon solo from 1 January 2026.