The Havana Lyceum Orchestra is a young Cuban ensemble founded in 2016 with the support of the Oficina del Historiador de La Habana, the Mozarteum Foundation Salzburg and the Balthasar Neumann Ensemble. José Antonio Méndez Padrón is the principal conductor. Comprised mostly of graduates from top Cuban music schools, the orchestra is known for high technical precision and openness to different styles.

Their repertoire ranges from classical music to contemporary works and traditional Cuban music including Salsa, Mambo and Son. There is a strong focus on preserving Cuba’s symphonic heritage and promoting contemporary young composers.

The orchestra gained international recognition through tours and invitations to venues in the USA, Europe and beyond, as well as by collaborating with renowned artists such as Simone Dinnerstein, Renaud Capuçon and Sarah Willis. Together with Willis, they created the successful CD series »Mozart y Mambo«, which blends classical music with Cuban rhythms.

Today, the Havana Lyceum Orchestra is one of Cuba’s most important young ensembles, exemplifying the vibrant exchange between the European classical tradition and Caribbean musical culture.