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-Elysées, 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 conducts Verdi's Requiem
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
American tour with 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.