Orchestre de Paris

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The Orchestre de Paris is a French orchestra created in 1967, based in Paris, whose current Music Director is Christoph Eschenbach. Most concerts are currently held at the Salle Pleyel.

[edit] History

In 1967, following the disbandment of the Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire, conductor Charles Munch was called on by the Minister of Culture, André Malraux, and his Music Director Marcel Landowski to create a new orchestra in Paris. However, Munch died in 1968. No less than Herbert von Karajan was then hired as a gap-filler Musical Advisor (1969-1971). Christoph von Dohnanyi was Artistic Advisor during another interim (1998-2000).

In 1998, the Salle Pleyel, the orchestra's home and Paris's only large concert hall, was bought by a private investor who closed it shortly afterwards. The orchestra was forced out in a hurry. A temporary solution was found when the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées and Théâtre du Châtelet managed to harbour part of its 2001-2002 season each. By the fall of 2002, the orchestra had secured the Théâtre Mogador, where it played its next four seasons. Meanwhile, a new arrangement concerning the Salle Pleyel was achieved, involving mainly the venue's new owner, the Cité de la musique and the Orchestre de Paris. Furthermore, the venue underwent renovation. In September 2006, the Salle Pleyel reopened and became once more the Orchestre de Paris's home base.