New England has one of the largest French-speaking populations in the United States. In Boston alone, the French cultural presence is well represented by many French francophile and francophone organizations. Among them, The French Symphony is the only one dedicated to the French musical tradition and to the friendship between France and the United States.
The Boston Symphony Orchestra had, in the last century and as late as in the 60s, a strong French flavor due to the overwhelming presence of French musicians who were brought here by Serge Koussevitsky (Russian emigrant who became a French citizen). For a long time the BSO was one of the best French orchestras in the world. The best French conductors stepped on its podium, from Koussevitsky to Monteux, and especially the wonderful Charles Munch ,who served as Music Director for many years. All of this changed when the original French musicians started to retire and the German music directors arrived. They wanted to give the orchestra a more German sound. Progressively, the French repertoire was abandoned and the French sound all but disappeared.
The orchestra is led by internationally renowned conductor Patrick Botti, famous for his engaging style, charisma, and true vision to innovative programming and concert presentation.
Patrick Botti studied with the best French teachers in the line of the great French musical tradition. He brings to the orchestra and its audiences that perspective and that knowledge.
Maestro Patrick Botti arrived in Boston in 1982 with two Fulbright Scholarships to study in this country. His first goal was to restore a strong French Symphonic presence in Boston. With the help of the Consuls of France, Monaco, and Chile, he created The French Symphony of Boston in 1984. He chose some of the most talented local musicians to join the orchestra, musicians who shared his vision and goals.
The inaugural concert took place in 1985 before a packed audience. That immensely successful performance helped propel the orchestra to the forefront of the Boston musical scene.
The orchestra includes French and American professional musicians recruited from the best in the Boston area. All are chosen by Patrick Botti for their belief in the orchestra’s mission.
The orchestra performs works representing the French traditional repertoire, including not only works by French composers but also including works by famous American composers who studied in France, such as Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland.
Today, the fully-professional orchestra is ranked as one of the best in the city
For further details, see The French Symphony of Boston