Philharmonie de Paris
The French Ministry of culture plans the merger of the Orchestra de Paris and the Cité de la musique – Philharmonie de Paris, France Musique has revealed. Apparently the proposal comes from the General Manager of the Philharmonie, Laurent Bayle, who as a counsellor of Luxembourg’s government, initiated the merger of the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra and the Philharmonie despite the fact that the same man in 2004 advised the previous Minister of Culture to not consider a merger.
The Frenchman who wants to extend his power in the musical life in Paris tells the French government that the merger would save money. The Luxembourg model has proved the contrary. Today’s entity has never had a budget lower than the two of the separate organizations together (21.468.490 € for 2018)
The French Ministry of Culture also foresees major changes for the National Opera in Paris and a merger of the orchestras of Radio France seems no longer to be excluded.
