Philharmonisches Orchester Heidelberg

The Heidelberg Philharmonic Orchestra brings together around 70 musicians from nearly 20 nations, forming the professional symphony orchestra of the City of Heidelberg. Since 1889, the orchestra has been an integral part of the Theater und Orchester Heidelberg, enriching the musical life of the city and region with a diverse concert repertoire and numerous music theatre performances.

As the resident orchestra of Heidelberg’s historic Stadthalle, it is traditionally featured in its Philharmonic Concert series. In partnership with the Bachchor Heidelberg, the orchestra presents major choral works in several concerts each year and plays a prominent role in the annual Heidelberg Castle Festival.

The Heidelberg Philharmonic Orchestra is known for its stylistic versatility. In addition to enthusiastically maintaining the orchestral repertoire from early classicism to contemporary works, it has embraced historical performance practices since 2006 as part of the Schwetzingen Winter Baroque Festival. The orchestra also has a long-standing commitment to contemporary music. Chamber music holds a special place within its artistic activities, and in 2025, the orchestra will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its chamber music series, which the musicians themselves curate.

A core mission of the orchestra is music education, with a rich program of school, family, and youth concerts designed to engage the next generation of listeners. With an open-minded and modern approach to its cultural mission, the Heidelberg Philharmonic Orchestra actively fulfills its role as a 21st-century symphony orchestra and member of society, continually evolving with curiosity and innovation.

Since the 2024/25 season, Mino Marani has led the orchestra as General Music Director of the City of Heidelberg and Chief Conductor, guiding it into the future.

Picture: Susanne Reichardt