The Moroccan Philharmonic Orchestra is preparing to launch its latest season, bringing with it a bold and imaginative program built around the theme of “Legends.” This new lineup seamlessly blends classical masterpieces with original creations, where daring artistic choices intersect with deep-rooted musical traditions.
The season opens with the return of two conductors well known to Moroccan audiences: Christian Vasquez and Wolfgang Doerner. A historic first also awaits in the upcoming edition of the International Music Competition of Morocco, which, in 2026, will spotlight the cello for the very first time. Another standout event will see the orchestra share the stage with Hoba Hoba Spirit, one of Morocco’s most iconic rock-fusion bands. Together, they’ll debut a unique piece that merges urban beats with the sweeping sonorities of the symphony.
Among the highlights of the season is a December performance of “Scheherazade,” scheduled for Rabat, Casablanca, and Tangier. Inspired by the tales of One Thousand and One Nights, this concert reimagines Rimsky-Korsakov’s work by weaving in the sounds of traditional instruments like the oud and qanun. Two Arabic-speaking narrators will lend their voices to the character of Scheherazade, adding poetic depth and dramatic intensity to the performance, which will be conducted by Wolfgang Doerner.
In January, the stage will be transformed into a winter fairytale as the Ballet of the Nice Côte d’Azur Opera joins the orchestra in Rabat for a production of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. Directed by Christian Vasquez, the ballet will feature choreography by Benjamin Millepied. The result promises a rich and enchanting experience, combining orchestral grandeur with refined stage artistry in this cross-border collaboration.
March will shine a spotlight on vocal artistry, as the Moroccan Philharmonic Choir embarks on a tour through Rabat and Casablanca. Led by Anass Ismat, the choir will perform a dynamic and emotionally charged program, carefully designed to highlight the depth and nuance of the human voice in all its complexity.
Later that month, from March 30 to April 4, the Philharmonic’s annual International Competition returns for its 22nd edition. Held in Rabat and Casablanca and organized by the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco’s foundation, this year’s competition will, for the first time, focus entirely on the cello. Olivier Holt will oversee the event.
In May, from the 20th to the 22nd, the orchestra and Hoba Hoba Spirit will reunite for a series of genre-defying concerts in Agadir, Rabat, and Casablanca. This groundbreaking collaboration will fuse symphonic textures with the raw energy of rock, chaâbi, and Moroccan reggae, challenging conventional musical boundaries and inviting audiences into a completely new soundscape.
Rounding out the season is the debut of a new series titled “Pocket Concerts”—intimate chamber music performances designed to bring artists closer to their audiences in an informal and welcoming atmosphere. These concerts will take place in Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech. The first will be led by Dina Bensaïd in November, followed by Kasper Nowak, Elina Buksha, and young musicians from the Mazaya program in January. In March, Farid Bensaïd and Serge Moukarzel will close the series. These small-scale performances aim to create an authentic connection between performers and listeners, stripping away the formality often associated with classical music.
