The Orchestra
Orchestre des Nations
An orchestra that brings people together
Our mission at the Orchestre des Nations (ODN) is to foster peace and dialogue between cultures, whether we’re playing in Geneva or abroad. We form an essential bridge between the international and local communities that make up the unique fabric of our home city, combining orchestral music with humanitarian initiatives and making classical music accessible to all.
A top-level amateur orchestra…
Orchestre des Nations brings together outstanding amateur musicians from all over the world. Our musicians have decades of classical music training under their belt, even if they have ended up pursuing careers in other fields. Thanks to this one-of-a-kind ensemble, these music aficionados can fulfil their dreams of playing in a professional-level orchestra and further perfect and showcase their skills.
… under the baton of a world-class conductor
In 2011, internationally renowned conductor Antoine Marguier decided to take on a new challenge. He wanted to draw upon his vast experience to make Geneva home to the best amateur orchestra in the world. Thanks to his diligence and expertise as a music educator, he has put together an ensemble that is esteemed as much for its musicianship as its extraordinary spirit, attracting the world’s most sought-after soloists, like Maxim Vengerov, Khatia Buniatishvili, Gautier Capuçon, Miloš Karadaglić, Renée Fleming and Pretty Yende.
Electrifying audiences from the stage to the streets
Our programmes are tailor-made to each occasion, blending masterpieces with lesser-known works and new creations. You can often catch our concerts on the radio. Whether we’re playing in prestigious locations, like Victoria Hall, or more unconventional settings, like the facade of a building in the vibrant Pâquis neighbourhood, our concerts are always driven by an energy that transforms each performance into a celebration. No matter where the Orchestre des Nations goes, audiences are bound to be touched and charmed by this orchestra that is truly unlike any other.
Find out more about Antoine Marguier here