The Chamber Orchestra of Europe (COE) was founded in 1981 by former members of the European Community Youth Orchestra and has since become one of the world’s leading orchestras. The independent orchestra is still organised on a project-by-project basis and has been a regular guest at the Musikfest Bremen ever since 1994, returning this year for its 12^th appearance.

From the start, the orchestra’s identity was shaped by its partnerships with leading conductors and soloists. It was Claudio Abbado above all who served as an important mentor in the early years: He presented staged performances with the COE, such as Rossini’s »Il viaggio a Reims« and »Il barbiere di Siviglia« and Mozart’s »Figaro« and »Don Giovanni«. Nikolaus Harnoncourt also had a major influence through his performances and recordings of all of the Beethoven symphonies, as well as through opera productions at the Salzburg, Vienna, and Styriarte festivals. Currently the Orchestra works closely with Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Sir Simon Rattle and Sir András Schiff. Robin Ticciati, Chief Conductor of the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Music Director of Glyndebourne Festival Opera and newly appointed honorary member of the COE, conducts this year’s Musikfest concert.

The COE is a regular guest at Europe’s major festivals and concert venues. These include the Paris, Cologne and Luxembourg Philharmonies, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and the Alte Oper in Frankfurt. These and other leading European venues form the basis for the orchestra’s many tours. Since 2022, the COE has been both orchestra-in-residence at Esterházy Palace in Eisenstadt and at the Casals Forum of Kronberg Academy.

With over 250 recorded works, the COE has won numerous international prizes, including two Grammys and three Gramophone »Record of the Year« awards. Recent CDs include Brahms symphonies conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, released by Deutsche Grammophon in July 2024.

The COE Academy continues to offer annual scholarships for exceptional young musicians who are given the opportunity to accompany the orchestra on tour and receive tuition from COE soloists.