Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège

What we do: The Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège (OPRL) is the only professional symphonic orchestra in French-speaking Belgium. It performs classical symphonic music, ranging from classical and romantic repertoires to contemporary works, serving audiences in Liège, across Belgium, and internationally in Europe, Japan, the United States, and South America.

Where we are located: The orchestra is headquartered at Boulevard Piercot 25-27, 4000 Liège, in the Walloon Region of Belgium. Its main performance venue is the historic Salle Philharmonique in Liège.

Short history: Founded in October 1960 by Fernand Quinet, then director of the Liège Conservatory, the orchestra began with 71 musicians. It quickly gained international recognition, performing in cities such as The Hague, Eindhoven, and Cologne from 1961. In 1983, it adopted the name Orchestre Philharmonique de Liège, and in 2010 it received the title "Royal" becoming the Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège. Over the decades, it has been led by renowned conductors and expanded its repertoire to include major international and Belgian composers.

Organization & culture: The OPRL is a professional symphonic orchestra with a stable ensemble of musicians. It is supported by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, the City of Liège, and the Province of Liège. The orchestra values artistic excellence and cultural heritage, maintaining a strong identity linked to its home city at the crossroads of French and Germanic influences.