The Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich will give two concerts at the Festspielhaus each year for three years.
Things get underway in November 2025: Paavo Järvi and the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich will bring the Mahler Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2 to Baden-Baden to kick off a three-year series of guest performances. Benedikt Stampa, Artistic Director of the Festspielhaus, is looking forward to "welcoming a very special orchestra to Baden-Baden for a Gustav Mahler cycle with the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich". He praises Music Director Paavo Järvi as a "maestro in demand worldwide": "His expertise and the great symphonies of Gustav Mahler promise to enrich our concert autumn from 2025 onwards."
Keyword sustainable: this is what these guest performances should also be from a Zurich perspective. From an ecological point of view - because the orchestra can travel by train. But also in other respects: Ilona Schmiel, Director of the Tonhalle-Gesellschaft Zurich, has long emphasised the importance of residencies. In contrast to the usual tours, they make it possible to build up a deep relationship with a place and an audience. In Baden-Baden, there is also the identification with a composer: the guest performances give the orchestra the welcome opportunity to present the Mahler cycle not only in its home hall, but also at a festival - and thus to consolidate its profile as an orchestra of international standing.
The guest performances are supported by Merbag.
