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Weather conditions

The Philharmonie des enfants, the exhibition spaces and the Music Museum are air-conditioned. The media library and the rooftop viewpoint are closed until Friday 14 August.

The rooftop viewpoint will be open exceptionally on 12 August from 6.30 pm to view the solar eclipse.

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Orchestre de Paris
Klaus Mäkelä à New York

The history

Heir to the Conservatoire Concert Society founded in 1828, the Orchestre de Paris gave its inaugural concert in November 1967 under the baton of Charles Munch.

After the death of its founding father, the musical direction of the orchestra was entrusted successively to Herbert von Karajan, Sir Georg Solti, Daniel Barenboim, Semyon Bychkov, Christoph von Dohnányi, Christoph Eschenbach, Paavo Järvi, Daniel Harding and Klaus Mäkelä.

1967

Inaugural concert conducted by Charles Munch

On 14 November, at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Charles Munch conducts Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique, Debussy’s La Mer and the first performance of Stravinsky’s Requiem Canticles.

The orchestra makes its first tour of the USSR and inaugurates its first residency at the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence. In October 1968, Charles Munch dies during the orchestra’s first tour of North America.

1969

Herbert von Karajan, musical advisor to the orchestra

He brought prestige to the orchestra by inviting renowned musicians and conductors, including Seiji Ozawa, Sergiu Celibidache, Claudio Abbado, Arthur Rubinstein and Claudio Arrau.

First concerts at the Salzburg Festival.

1970

Mstislav Rostropovitch

Aix-en-Provence Festival, for which Dutilleux’s Tout un monde lointain was premiered by cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. It will be performed by the Orchestre de Paris under the baton of Serge Baudo.

The orchestra embarks on its first tour of Japan (ten concerts).

1972

Sir George Solti appointed Music Director

First concerts in Vienna (March 1973) Edinburgh Festival with Régine Crespin (September 1973).
In 1974, he inaugurated the orchestra’s new home at the Palais des Congrès by conducting Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

1981

Historic concert for the inauguration of President François Mitterrand

On 21 May, at Place du Panthéon, Daniel Barenboim conducts the Ode to Joy from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

In September, the orchestra takes up residence at Salle Pleyel.

1989

World Tour as part of the bicentenary of the French Revolution

Under the direction of Daniel Barenboim, the orchestra embarks on a 12-concert tour around the world, including the United States, Japan and Russia.

In September, Semyon Bychkov succeeds Daniel Barenboim as conductor of the Orchestre de Paris.

1992

Carlo Maria Giulini dirige le Requiem de Verdi

Start of collaboration with the Théâtre du Châtelet for opera productions: in June, Alban Berg’s Wozzeck is conducted by Daniel Barenboim and directed by Patrice Chéreau. In September, Semyon Bychkov conducts Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin.

1994

Semyon Bychkov conducts Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9

Concert at the Grande Arche de la Défense, as part of Paris Quartier d’été.

2000

Lorin Maazel celebrates his 70th birthday

Christoph Eschenbach takes up his post as musical director in September 2000.
 

2004

First tour in China

As part of a major France/China exchange programme, the orchestra performs a series of concerts in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
Under the baton of Christoph Eschenbach, the orchestra premieres Luciano Berio’s final work, Stanze, in January, before performing it a few months later at the Proms in London.

2006

Wagner’s Ring

From October 2005 to June 2006, at the Théâtre du Châtelet, Christoph Eschenbach conducts Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle, directed by Robert Wilson.

In September, the orchestra returns to the Salle Pleyel.

2008

Concert event at the Louvre Museum

As a special guest of the Louvre Museum, Pierre Boulez conducts Stravinsky’s The Firebird beneath the Pyramid in front of an audience of 2,500.

2010

Paavo Järvi takes up his post as Music Director

Under his direction, the orchestra moved from the Salle Pleyel to the Philharmonie de Paris.

2013

Elektra at the Aix-en-Provence Festival

For its grand return to the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, the Orchestre de Paris is creating a buzz alongside conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen and Patrice Chéreau, who will be directing his final production.

2015

Philharmonie de Paris

The Orchestre de Paris moves into its new home.

2016

Daniel Harding: 9th Music Director of the Orchestre de Paris

For his first concert, he conducts Schumann’s Scenes from Goethe’s Faust.

2019

Integration into the Philharmonie de Paris

The Orchestre de Paris team joins the Philharmonie de Paris. This integration strengthens the alignment of the Orchestra’s programming with the institution’s artistic and educational project. It marks a commitment to taking on new challenges together.

2021

Klaus Mäkelä: 10th Music Director of the Orchestre de Paris

Musical advisor to the Orchestre de Paris since September 2020, he will become its tenth musical director in September 2021.

2022

Resurrection at the Aix-en-Provence Festival

Esa-Pekka Salonen / Romeo Castellucci

For the reopening of the Vitrolles Stadium, Pierre Audi chose Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection”, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen. Romeo Castellucci made a lasting impression with his striking staging of a mass grave, echoing the start of the war in Ukraine.

2024

Transfigured - 12 Lives of Schönberg

Ariane Mathiakh / Bertrand Bonello

This theatrical and musical experience, conceived by director Bertrand Bonello and directed by Ariane Matiakh, offers an immersion into the composer’s world. The show traces Schönberg’s musical evolution step by step through the different stages of his life.

2024

Tournée américaine avec Klaus Mäkelä

After a nineteen-year absence, the Orchestre de Paris returned to American audiences for a special tour that included a concert in New York, where Klaus Mäkelä conducted for the first time at the legendary Carnegie Hall.

2025

Operatorio Antigone by Pascal Dusapin

Netia Jones / Klaus Mäkelä

With the world premiere of his opera Antigone, Pascal Dusapin renews his dialogue with antiquity.
The work takes shape in a stage setting designed by Netia Jones, under the musical direction of Klaus Mäkelä.

 

2027

Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Philharmonie de Paris

Starting in September 2027 and for a period of five years, Esa-Pekka Salonen will serve as Principal Conductor of the Orchestre de Paris and will hold the Chair of Creation and Innovation at the Philharmonie de Paris.

2027

Roberto González-Monjas, Principal Guest Conductor

Beginning with the 2027/2028 season for an initial four-year term.

Alongside international touring and special projects, his tenure will include at least three subscription programmes each season at the Philharmonie de Paris.

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.