The Gürzenich Orchester Köln is the orchestra of Oper Köln. The two institutions have a successful partnership for many years. The orchestra's long history brings together many lines of development in the city's musical life. Its roots go back to 15th century municipal council music and the cathedral instrumental ensemble. In 1827, the Cölner Concert-Gesellschaft took over the administration of the orchestra. In 1840 it appointed Conradin Kreutzer as the first music director. From 1857 onwards, the society concerts were held in a trade and banqueting hall from the late Gothic period, the so-called Gürzenich.
Ferdinand Hiller, Franz Wüllner and Fritz Steinbach, Hermann Abendroth, Günter Wand, Markus Stenz and François-Xavier Roth – the music directors who have succeeded Conradin Kreutzer set their own different priorities; what they have in common is that they all seek a balance between the classical canon and the new music of their time. Robert and Clara Schumann gave concerts with the Gürzenich Orchester in Cologne; and Hector Berlioz, Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner conducted their latest works.
In 1888, the orchestra was transferred to municipal administration. The 53 members of the orchestra at that time were contractually obliged to play in the theatre. To this day, the Gürzenich Orchester is also the orchestra of Oper Köln. Marek Janowski inaugurated the Kölner Philharmonie concert hall in 1986 with Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 8, the "Symphony of a Thousand".
From 2003 to 2014, Markus Stenz led the Gürzenich Orchester Köln, combining traditional works with innovative elements in his concerts. Numerous invitations have taken the orchestra to major international concert venues such as Vienna, Athens, Thessaloniki, Amsterdam, the Edinburgh International Festival, the BBC Proms in London and China. François-Xavier Roth has been chief conductor of the Gürzenich Orchester and General Music Director of the city of Cologne since the beginning of the 2015.16 season; his contract expires after the 2023.24 season. From the 2025.26 season, Andrés Orozco-Estrada will take over the direction of the Gürzenich Orchester Köln.
