Founded in 2011 by conductor Claire Gibault, the Paris Mozart Orchestra (PMO) is a unique artistic ensemble – committed, daring and unanimous in its sense of purpose. Through challenging and innovative programming, the PMO champions both classical and contemporary music, while advancing the accessibility of the arts in a generous spirit of open-hearted partnership.
Alive to every audience, boldly exploring every new horizon, the PMO is an orchestra like no other.
The PMO performs as naturally at prestigious concert halls such as Théâtre du Châtelet, Philharmonie de Paris, Amsterdam Concertgebouw or Eindhoven Muziekgebouw, as in prisons, hospitals and school canteens. We believe that strong artistic choices are inseparable from a strong social commitment.
© Maria Mosconi / Hans Lucas
To be a member of the orchestra is not only to participate in an exciting musical adventure; it is also a way to share in and champion the strongest of humanitarian values, reaching out to the very young, the underprivileged and the alienated. Every year, approximately 50% of the PMO’s activities are devoted to educational or social projects.
Showcasing the talents of the outstanding soloists of the PMO (members the Hélios Trio, Variances Ensemble…) lies at the heart of our project. The PMO also strives to promote an equal number of women in principal positions, paving the way for greater inclusion and diversity.
The ensemble regularly collaborates with world-class artists such as sopranos Natalie Dessay and pianist Maria João Pires, as well as outstanding young soloists such as pianists Isata Kanneh-Mason, Adam Laloum and Nathalia Milstein or trumpet player Lucienne Renaudin-Vary.
Among its recent projects, the PMO performed at the Philharmonie de Paris, Stresa Festival (Italy), French May Festival (Hong Kong), Folle Journée de Nantes and Festival de Pâques in Aix-en-Provence. In 2021-2022, for its 10 year anniversary season, the orchestra notably performed during a 10-day tour in Mexico (Cervantino Festival), as well as at the Muziekgebouw in Eindhoven, in de Doelen Rotterdam, at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, at the Polish Radio Auditorium, at the Auditorium national de Lyon, and during 2 “Diversità” concerts at the Philharmonie de Paris. In 2022-2023, the PMO begins a new residency in Bourges, with concerts at the Maison de la Culture and the deployment of educational actions in 11 schools of the Cher department. Among its other projects, the PMO will give concerts at the Philharmonie de Paris, Bozar Brussels, Chambord Festival and Bibliothèque nationale de France.
A powerful advocate of contemporary music, artistic director Claire Gibault commissions each season a new multimedia “melologue” from a distinguished composer (Fabio Vacchi, Silvia Colasanti, Graciane Finzi, Édith Canat de Chizy, Philippe Hersant, Alexandra Grimal, Benoît Menut…) creating an original and highly evocative repertory designed as much to enthrall today’s music lovers and concert goers as to inspire and challenge the young participants in the PMO’s award-winning educational arts and culture project Orchestre Au Bahut, a laureate of “La France S’Engage” label.
Without them, the very essence of the PMO project and Claire Gibault’s vision would not be possible: thank you to our great patron the Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation, as well as to the Ardian, ADP Group, Polycarpe, Signature – Institut de France and TotalEnergies foundations, to Bpifrance, Google, Tenzing – les Compagnons du Conseil, Vivendi Create Joy, Centre national de la musique, Maison de la Musique Contemporaine, SACEM and the Île-de-France Region for their renewed support. Thank you to the members of the Donors’ Circle for their precious support. Finally, thank you to the patrons who trust us for the 1st year of the PMO residency in the Centre-Val de Loire region: the patronage of Mécénat Caisse des Dépôts Centre-Val de Loire, Crédit Mutuel du Centre, Hôtel de Panette, Michelin aeronautical site of Bourges Saint-Doulchard, Michelin Corporate Foundation, as well as individual patrons.