The Orchestras of the Elbphilharmonie and the Laeiszhalle

The NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra is the resident orchestra of the Elbphilharmonie and is responsible for a large part of the concert hall’s symphonic programme.

With its extraordinary enthusiasm and artistic quality, the resident ensemble of the Elbphilharmonie Recital Hall is one of the leading chamber orchestras worldwide. Since the ensemble was founded in 1994, its highly original programmes have spanned everything from the classical to the contemporary, often revealing surprising connections in the process.

Since it was founded in 1957, the Symphoniker Hamburg has been an orchestra for the whole of Hamburg. Its home has always been the venerable Laeiszhalle, where it continues as the resident orchestra even after the opening of the Elbphilharmonie. At the Laeiszhalle, the orchestra presents a number of popular subscription series and special concerts such as silent films with live accompaniment. Sylvain Cambreling has been Principal Conductor of the Symphoniker Hamburg since 2017.

The Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra is the orchestra of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, which sits in the orchestra pit at around 250 opera and ballet performances in the Hamburg State Opera every year. At the same time, it organises the high-class philharmonic concerts in the Elbphilharmonie. The 140 musicians can also be heard in smaller chamber music ensembles. In recent years, the orchestra has toured South America, Tokyo and Carnegie Hall in 2023.

Its beginnings date back to 1828, and personalities such as Tchaikovsky, Strauss, Mahler and Stravinsky have subsequently conducted the orchestra. In 1908, the Philharmoniker inaugurated the Laeiszhalle with a festive concert. The new General Music Director of the Hamburg State Opera and the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra will be Omer Meir Wellber from summer 2025. The Be'er Sheva-born artist is known for his fresh impetus, creativity and wealth of musical ideas. With this approach, he will begin an innovative further development of the orchestra.