Heidelberg’s philharmonic orchestra, Philharmonisches Orchester Heidelberg, has been part of the city’s theatre since 2005. It forms its own category, staging numerous concerts and accompanying opera productions.
The orchestra shapes the city’s musical life with its stylistic flexibility stretching from Baroque to Modernity as well as a broad variety of concert formats. It has twice been honoured with the award for »best concert programme« by the association of German music producers, Deutscher Musikverleger-Verband, and places a strong emphasis on educational programme. Since 2006, Heidelberg’s philharmonic orchestra has been engaging with historic staging methods as part of the festival Winter in Schwetzingen. As part of Heidelberg’s women artists’ award, the Heidelberger Künstlerinnenpreis, and its concert programmes, the orchestra regularly reflects on the works of women composers.
The Philharmonisches Orchester Heidelberg was founded on 8th April 1889 as »Städtisches Orchester«.