(L-R) Georges Santer, OCL President; Sylvie Charmoy, OCL Director; Credit: Elza Osmane, Chronicle.lu

On Wednesday 17 June 2026, the Chamber Orchestra of Luxembourg (OCL) held a press conference at Cercle Cité in Luxembourg-Ville to unveil its 2026/2027 season.

During the presentation in English and French, OCL President Georges Santer and OCL Director Sylvie Charmoy introduced the season's artistic vision, presented its main productions and educational initiatives.

Georges Santer opened the presentation by unveiling the season brochure, whose visual identity reflects the theme "Trompe-l'œil" (deceives the eye).

Georges Santer then explained that the OCL remains committed to presenting chamber orchestra repertoire from the Baroque period to the present day. The orchestra also continues to commission contemporary works, particularly by Luxembourg composers, and to develop multidisciplinary productions.

"This is an orchestra that plays music going back to the Baroque century up to the contemporary phase," Georges Santer said. Georges Santer added that the OCL also seeks to present multidisciplinary programmes that combine music with theatre, dance and other art forms.

He also highlighted the orchestra's immersive 360 degree concerts, which allow audiences either to sit among the musicians or to remain seated while musicians perform around them, describing the format as “one of the orchestra's most successful initiatives”.

Sylvie Charmoy then presented the season programme, which centres on three pillars: creation; dissemination; and educational activities. She said these principles guide the orchestra's artistic programming and outreach.

The Philharmonie cycle will feature four themed concerts led by Mariano Chiacchiarini, Pavel Baleff, Lena Neudauer and David Reiland. The programmes combine well known repertoire with contemporary works and include composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Joseph Haydn, Francis Poulenc, Gabriel Fauré, Léo Delibes, Jean Baptiste Vanhal, Joaquín Rodrigo and Tatiana Zelanko, whose work was commissioned by Luxembourg’s Ministry of Culture.

Programme highlights include:

  • Saturday 26 September 2026: Mains de maîtres at the Philharmonie in Luxembourg-Kirchberg featuring works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven and Francis Poulenc;

  • Sunday 15 November 2026: Les Fous de Vianden, a family concert inspired by the legends of Vianden.

  • Thursday 4 March 2027: Illusions classiques, featuring works by Johann Baptist Vanhal, Michael Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, alongside a new commission by Tatiana Zelanko;

  • Friday 12 and Saturday 13 March 2027: Chef meets Chef: musique & japanime at Cercle Cité in Luxembourg-Ville;

  • Wednesday 28 April to Sunday 2 May 2027: Brundibár, a children's opera by Hans Krása, at the Théâtre National de Luxembourg in Luxembourg-Limpertsberg;

  • Sunday 16 May 2027: Aranjuez, reflet d'un oiseau rebelle, featuring guitarist Thibaut Garcia and conductor David Reiland;

  • Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 June 2027: Café Müller / Le Sacre du printemps at the Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg.

Alongside its concerts in Luxembourg, the OCL will continue performing across the Greater Region and plans to expand its international touring beyond neighbouring countries during the 2026/2027 season.

Education remains central to the orchestra's activities. Sylvie Charmoy presented a programme that includes school residencies, educational pathways for primary schools, masterclasses, workshops, side by side concerts, backstage visits, professional training and the Anne & Françoise Groben Prize for young musicians. She also announced that three young musicians will join the orchestra through a professional training programme supported by Luxembourg’s Ministry of National Education, Children and Youth.

Although the OCL does not have a permanent venue, Sylvie Charmoy explained that the orchestra views this as an opportunity to develop residencies in schools and cultural venues across Luxembourg.

Tickets are available through the respective venues, including the Luxembourg Philharmonie Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg and Théâtre National de Luxembourg.

Besides presenting the programme, Georges Santer made two announcements. He confirmed that Grand Duke Guillaume has granted the OCL his patronage and that the orchestra expects to appoint its next Music Director in January 2027 following an international selection process that attracted 235 applicants.

For more details, visit OCL webpage.