It's hard to describe classical music these days. Also known as " art music ", classical music brings together a number of instrumental, vocal and orchestral pieces that define Western culture.
This broad musical movement has produced a number of great classical composers, spanning the period from the 18th to the 20th century, including Antonio Vivaldi, Johann Sebastian Bach, Georg Friedrich Handel, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Frédéric Chopin, Richard Wagner, Giuseppe Verdi, Johannes Brahms, Georges Bizet and George Gershwin.
Today, classical music can be enjoyed at symphony and philharmonic concerts featuring works by these illustrious composers, as well as iconic film scores by conductors and composers such as Joe Hisaishi, John Williams, Ennio Morricone, Hans Zimmer...
Other artists - known as "neoclassical" - are trying to modernize this style, taking up the codes of classical music while integrating more contemporary notes. These include German-British artist Max Richter, Germany's Nils Frahm, Poland's Hania Rani and Iceland's Ólafur Arnalds.
So, are you in the mood for a 'classical' concert in the capital? Find out about upcoming classical music concerts in Paris and elsewhere in the Île-de-France region!
The Luminiscence show with immersive concert for a musical immersion in the monumental Saint-Eustache building
Sponsored - The immersive Luminiscence show continues in May with a series of exceptional concerts in the monumental Saint-Eustache church! [Read more]
Opera a Palazzo: opera performances in a Paris townhouse
From January 26 to June 20, 2024, operatic arias will take over the Hôtel Pereire, to the delight of music lovers. An opportunity to rediscover opera, up close to the artists, thanks to exceptional performances. [Read more]
The Louvre Museum in music: carte blanche for the Orchestre de Paris
What if your next concert was held in one of Paris's most famous museums? The Louvre regularly organizes musical events. From March 2 to June 16, 2024, the Orchestre de Paris and Klaus Mäkelä have carte blanche to thrill us. [Read more]
"The World of Hans Zimmer - A New Dimension" at La Seine Musicale in 2024, new dates
Are you a fan of Hans Zimmer's music? Then head for La Seine Musicale in Boulogne-Billancourt on Saturday March 30 and Sunday March 31, 2024 for "The World of Hans Zimmer - A New Dimension", presenting the composer's work adapted for symphony orchestra. In response to demand, new Paris dates have been added to the French tour, with two additional concerts scheduled at La Seine Musicale on Wednesday November 20 and Thursday November 21, 2024. [Read more]
May the 4th Be With You: Star Wars symphony concert at Grand Rex, Paris
May the 4th Be With You: an intergalactic musical voyage awaits you at the Grand Rex on May 3 and 4, 2024, for Star Wars Day. [Read more]
Saint-Denis 2024 Festival: Souad Massi, Blick Bassy... here's the line-up
Join us from May 29 to June 27, 2024 at the Basilica of Saint-Denis for the new edition of the Festival de Saint-Denis. On the program? Renaud Capuçon, Thomas Dunford, Souad Massi, Blick Bassy and Florentin Ginot, Zahia Ziouani and Amandine Beyer. [Read more]
Free concert by the Highlands Youth Ensemble at La Madeleine in June 2024!
Sponsored - All the way from Tennessee, the Highland Youth Ensemble will be performing a unique, free concert at the Église de la Madeleine in Paris this Wednesday, June 5, 2024, starting at 4pm. For the occasion, the choir will perform a repertoire commissioned to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings. [Read more]
Free concert by the international Nazareth Academy Chorale at La Madeleine
Sponsored - The Nazareth Academy Chorale and its chamber orchestra will be in a unique & free concert this Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at the Eglise de La Madeleine in Paris. An opportunity to (re)discover musical classics performed by an American choir. [Read more]
Ensemble Vox Luminis presents 'Purcell: The Fairy Queen' at Salle Gaveau in Paris in June 2024
Ensemble Vox Luminis will perform Purcell's "The Fairy Queen" on June 6, 2024 at the Salle Gaveau in Paris. [Read more]
Rufus Wainwright: Dream Requiem, world premiere at Radio France in June 2024
Dream Requiem: this is the name of the world premiere that the talented and prolific Rufus Wainwright will present at the Auditorium de Radio France in Paris on Friday June 14, 2024. [Read more]
Grand Concert International by the Stanford University Symphony at the Palais des Congrès de Versailles
Sponsored - On June 19 at 8:30 pm, Culture France presents the opening concert of the Stanford University Symphony Orchestra's 2024 French tour in the Salle Richelieu at the Palais des Congrès de Versailles. Reserve your tickets now for this evening of classical music. [Read more]
Tribute to Joe Hisaishi: philharmonic concert of his works at the Grand Rex in Paris in 2024
A true genius of Japanese music, composer Joe Hisaishi is honored in Paris with a not-to-be-missed tribute concert on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at the Grand Rex. Come and relive some of his greatest symphonic works live at this unique event. [Read more]
Classique au Vert 2024: the program for the free concert festival at the Parc Floral de Paris
The Classique au Vert Festival returns to the heart of the Parc Floral de Paris from June 26 to September 8, 2024. Classique au Vert invites music lovers and neophytes alike to enjoy a good tempo and good weather with established and up-and-coming artists. [Read more]
Michael Jackson Symphonique: symphonic pop tribute at the Grand Rex in Paris
The music of the "King of Pop" takes center stage in Paris this fall. On Friday, October 11, 2024, the Grand Rex opens its doors to the "Michael Jackson Symphonique" event, a symphonic pop tribute to the immense interpreter of "Thriller", "Beat It" and "Billie Jean". [Read more]
Ludovico Einaudi in concert at La Seine Musicale in November 2024
Ludovico Einaudi announces his return to Paris, with two exceptional concerts scheduled at La Seine Musicale on Thursday November 14 and Friday November 15, 2024. An opportunity to (re)discover the minimalist compositions of this great composer from the neo-classical scene. [Read more]
Max Richter in concert at the Philharmonie de Paris in November 2024
Calling all lovers of minimalist music! This autumn, the Philharmonie de Paris welcomes Max Richter and his Ensemble for a unique, not-to-be-missed concert on Saturday, November 16, 2024. Emotion guaranteed! [Read more]
Disney in concert at Zenith de Paris, "Magical Music from the Movies", in December 2024
Disney en concert - Magical music from the movies" returns to enchant the Zenith de Paris on December 13 and 14, 2024. On the program? Songs from "The Lion King", "The Snow Queen" and "Aladdin" performed by singers and a symphony orchestra, while images from the cartoons are displayed on the big screen... [Read more]
Joan of Arc at the stake with Marion Cotillard: a vocal concert at the Philharmonie de Paris in 2024
10 years after lighting up the Philharmonie de Paris stage, Marion Cotillard reprises her role as Jeanne in "Joan of Arc at the stake" in a unique, not-to-be-missed performance on Friday, December 13, 2024 in the Grande salle Pierre Boulez. [Read more]
Danny Elfman's Music from the films of Tim Burton at the Zenith in Paris in December 2024
After a 7-year absence from the capital, Danny Elfman returns to Paris this autumn with a one-off performance of his award-winning symphonic concert "Danny Elfman's Music from the Films of Tim Burton". This time, the concert will take place at the Zénith de La Villette on Sunday, December 15, 2024, and will feature a live orchestra and choir, as well as Danny Elfman performing songs from the classic film "The Strange Christmas Carol"! [Read more]
The Music of Hans Zimmer & Others at Salle Pleyel, Paris, February 2025
Hans Zimmer's sublime compositions and legendary film scores will be honored on Friday, February 7, 2025 at the Salle Pleyel in Paris for the tribute concert "The Music of Hans Zimmer & Others - A Celebration of Film music". [Read more]
The Magical Music of Harry Potter live in concert' at the Salle Pleyel in Paris in February 2025
The Magical Music of Harry Potter' concert comes to Paris. The concert, featuring a symphony orchestra playing the original soundtracks from the Harry Potter films, will be held at the Salle Pleyel on February 8, 2025. [Read more]
Hisaishi Symphonique: two concerts at the Philharmonie de Paris in March 2025
"Hisaishi symphonique": the not-to-be-missed musical event of 2025 at the Philharmonie de Paris! On the program? Two exceptional, not-to-be-missed performances on Sunday March 2 and Monday March 3, 2025. Audiences will be treated to the Orchestre national Bordeaux Aquitaine, conducted by the immense Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi. [Read more]
The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and The Rings of Power in concert at Salle Pleyel
Peter Jackson's film trilogies, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, and their recent prequel The Rings of Power, have their own symphony orchestra concert. The original scores of these six films and the series, composed by Howard Shore, are brought together in "The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and The Rings of Power in concert", at Salle Pleyel, February 8, 2025. [Read more]
