Les Orchestrades Universelles
Youth Orchestra Festival Discontinued in 2011 (Brive-la-Gaillarde)
Edition 2026 — event currently on hold
There is no edition scheduled in 2026 for this event. This page remains accessible to archive the history of the manifestation and will be updated if a new edition is announced.
About Orchestrades
The Orchestrades Universelles are no longer organized. This large gathering of youth orchestras enlivened Brive-la-Gaillarde every August from 1984 to 2011. The 2012 edition was cancelled for financial reasons and the festival never resumed.
For 28 years, the Orchestrades brought together hundreds of young musicians (aged 10 to 25) from around the world for a week of free concerts throughout the city, culminating in a monumental final concert gathering over 1,100 musicians and choristers — an attendance that earned them an entry in the record book in the classical music events category.
A festival discontinued since 2011
The Orchestrades Universelles no longer take place. Created in 1984 on the initiative of Simone du Breuil, president of SOJE (Symphonie des Orchestres de Jeunes d'Europe), they were held every summer in Brive-la-Gaillarde until 2011. The 2012 edition was cancelled for financial reasons and the event has never been reconstituted since.
History
For nearly three decades, the Orchestrades hosted French and foreign youth orchestras for about ten days of concerts throughout the city. As early as 1993, the number of participants exceeded 1,100 musicians and choristers gathered for the final concert, which earned the event an entry in the record book in the "classical music events" category. The musical direction was notably provided by Vincent Thomas from 2009.
Tribute to the Founder
Simone du Breuil, founder and soul of the festival, passed away in July 2024. A final tribute concert, free of charge, was organized by SOJE on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at the collegiate church of Saint-Martin de Brive, bringing together former musicians and conductors. This was a one-off farewell and not a resumption of the festival.
Orchestrades — edition 2026
No 2026 edition of the Orchestrades Universelles is organized: the festival stopped in 2011 (2012 edition cancelled, never resumed). The displayed dates were an erroneous placeholder.
The Orchestrades Universelles have not been held since 2011. There will be no 2026 edition. A tribute concert to the founder Simone du Breuil (who passed away in July 2024) took place only once, on July 6, 2025 in Brive, organized by SOJE — without constituting a resumption of the festival.
Highlights Orchestrades 2026
Prices Orchestrades 2026
Practical information — Orchestrades
Practical information
Period: August
Location: Various venues in Brive-la-Gaillarde and surrounding areas
Final concert: Espace des Trois Provinces
Price: All concerts are free
Contact: +33 5 55 92 39 39
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Where does it take place — Orchestrades
Espace des Trois Provinces
Espace des Trois Provinces, 19100 Brive-la-Gaillarde