Breaking: Nathalie Stutzmann loses her orchestra

The contralto-turned-conductor has just issued this statement:

It is with deep regret that the orchestra Orfeo 55, and its founder and artistic director Nathalie Stutzmann, announce the end of its activities.

Despite the support of the French Ministry of Culture, the orchestra’s financial situation has remained precarious due to a lack of sufficient subsidies and has deteriorated over the past few months, no longer allowing it to continue to operate properly.

Nathalie Stutzmann is deeply saddened by this situation but confirms that given the extent of the development of her career as a symphonic and opera conductor, it is now impossible for her to devote the necessary time to restoring the financial balance that would ensure the sustainability of the ensemble.

Nathalie Stutzmann made history with her pioneering modernity in the company of the orchestra, being the very first woman to sing and conduct simultaneously.

All music lovers will have a wonderful memory of Orfeo 55’s concerts and recorded discs – on DGG albums Vivaldi “Prima Donna” and Bach “Une Cantate Imaginaire”, on Warner/Erato albums Handel “Heroes from the Shadows” and the arie antiche “Quella Fiamma” – the last one – “Contraltos” – will be released in autumn 2020 on Warner/Erato. In addition to her conducting career, Nathalie Stutzmann, an exclusive Warner/Erato artist, will continue to perform regularly as a contralto.