A grand symphony orchestra in the heart of the Île-de-France
The Orchestre national d’Île-de-France was founded in 1974 at the behest of Marcel Landowski, who then became its honorary founding president. Funding is provided by the France’s Ministry of Culture and Paris Région Île-de-France. Its primary mission is to spread symphonic art across the region, particularly with new audiences.
The orchestra is the partner orchestra of the new Philharmonie de Paris since January 2015.
All the marvels of the grand classical repertoire for the pleasure of the greater metropolitan area of Paris
With 95 permanent musicians, each season the orchestra performs a hundred concerts, providing residents in the greater Paris area with a wide range of programs spanning three centuries of music.
From great classical symphonic pieces to contemporary commissions, from the Baroque to our own era’s varied music. The orchestra innovates, and for over fifteen years now, it has created some one hundred contemporary pieces, the Île de découvertes festival, and Île de créations, a competition open to young composers with a fourth edition slated for 2016.
Enrique Mazzola, music director
In September 2012, Enrique Mazzola was appointed music director and principal conductor. The arrival of this new, dynamic and innovative conductor opens new artistic horizons for the music group: a Tchaikovsky cycle, Beethoven’s complete piano concertos with Cédric Tiberghien, collaboration with numerous artists from varied backgrounds, notably DJ Jeff Mills, baritone Markus Werba, cantaora Rocio Marquez, stage director Nicolas Briançon, and even pianolist Rex Lawson.
Enrique Mazzola transmits his experience and knowledge of the lyric repertoire to the orchestra, with performances of several works by Rossini, from La Scala di seta, L’Occasione fa il ladro, Il signor Bruschino, and his famed Stabat Mater.
With a penchant for contemporary compositions, he has brought the repertoire up to date with small touches that include creations with Anna Clyne, Alberto Colla, and Matteo Franceschini, to name but a few.
A rich and committed cultural action
The orchestra’s cultural program is a veritable laboratory that develops ambitious educational programs such as workshops, meetings with artists, educational concerts, and musical shows.
These actions aim to cultivate a taste for and knowledge of the symphonic repertoire among the greatest number of people possible, all the while fostering encounters with the musicians and presenting live performances. The orchestra has a rich offering of shows to please young audiences.