With around sixty permanent musicians, the Mulhouse National Orchestra (ONM) has been an integral part of Alsatian cultural life since 1867. It stands out for the flexibility afforded by its unique line-up.
Based at La Filature in Mulhouse, the orchestra collaborates with its partners in the same venue: in the operatic and choreographic repertoire, as it is, along with the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra, the orchestra associated with the Opéra national du Rhin and its ballet; and with the Scène nationale, through film concerts and pop symphonies.
The orchestra explores a wide repertoire, from baroque to contemporary, with small or large ensembles, and offers concerts in various forms, both locally and further afield, to remain accessible to all audiences: symphony concerts, decentralised concerts, Journey to the Heart of the Orchestra (a concert with commentary for audiences less familiar with classical music), diVin tasting concerts (combining wine and music), Family concerts specially adapted for young audiences, and more.
The Orchestra invites internationally renowned conductors and soloists to work and perform with it and forges closer ties with some of them, such as actress Julie Depardieu and violinist Alexandra Soumm in 2021-2022, cellist Victor Julien-Laferrière in 2022-23 and composer Fabien Cali, associate artists of the orchestra from 2021 to 2024. Sabine Quindou will take over for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons.
Sharing and transmission are at the heart of the Orchestra's mission. Every year, young people (from nursery to secondary school) and adults discover music thanks to the many activities organised. The Orchestra also travels to isolated audiences (prisons, hospitals, retirement homes).
Labelled an ‘Orchestre national en région’ (National Regional Orchestra), the Orchestre National de Mulhouse is more committed than ever to pursuing excellence and ambition, and to developing an increasingly active and open policy.
Christoph Koncz, musical director since the 2023-24 season, supports the Orchestra in this ambition.