It is wonderful to hear about the success and growth of the Classical Orchestra Roche. Here's a brief summary of the orchestra's journey from the most recent concerts to its formation: 

October 2025 - Halloween Celebration, Roche Campus, Basel, Switzerland
The orchestra celebrated Halloween with a spine-chilling night where music met the macabre, from Bach’s haunting Toccata in D minor to John Williams’ devilish Devil’s Dance and Danny Elfman’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, in a magical, spooky collaboration with BäumliMotion (Gymnasium Bäumlihof, Basel), a group of student actors and dancers who brought the music to life.

May 2025 – An Evening with Brahms, Theodorskirche, Basel, Switzerland
The recent concerts featured two brilliant soloists, Eoin Ducrot (violin) and Milena Marena (cello), playing beautifully the Double Concerto, alongside Brahms’ powerful Tragic Overture, all masterfully orchestrated by the composer himself.

October 2024 – Hans Zimmer and James Horner: A Cinematic Experience, Roche Campus, Basel, Switzerland
An audience of two sets of 400 people experienced an immersive film music concert featuring 53 musicians onstage, enhanced by visuals from video artists, culminating in a celebration of cinematic sound and imagery.

April 2024 – Odissea d'Amore, Roche Campus, Basel, Switzerland
The orchestra premiered its original opera production featuring iconic arias and ensembles from Mozart, Donizetti, and Handel. The talented cast included Tamina Biber (Soprano), Parvati Maeder (Alto), Cooper Kendall (Tenor), and Amir Tiroshi (Bass).

October 2023 – Concert with One Roche Choir, Theodorskirche, Basel, Switzerland
This marked the collaboration with the One Roche Choir, delighting nearly 300 attendees with French composers' works and the emotive music of Ennio Morricone.

June 2023 – Collaboration with Ballet Theater Basel, Roche Campus, Basel, Switzerland
A milestone performance featuring young dancers Mirko Campigotto, Gaia Mentoglio, and Eva Blunno, showcasing the orchestra’s artistic maturity and collaborative spirit.

2021/2022 – Early Performances
Starting as a petit ensemble of just 8 musicians, the orchestra collaborated in 2021 with the Big Band Roche and held its debut concert in 2022, a pivotal moment in its evolution.

2020/2021 – Initial Challenges
Despite the global impact of COVID-19, the orchestra showed resilience, managing to grow and stay active through difficult times.

2019 – Formation
The Classical Orchestra Roche was founded with the aim of creating the first amateur symphonic ensemble in Roche Basel, Switzerland. Jules Lézy was appointed as the musical director.

Diverse Membership: As of 2026, the orchestra comprises more than 50 amateur musicians from around the world. This diversity of membership adds to the richness of the orchestra's cultural and musical experiences. 

Operated under Music Association Roche (MAR): The orchestra operates under the Music Association Roche (MAR), a legally independent association.

The story of the Classical Orchestra Roche is a testament to the power of music to bring people together, even in challenging times, and to the dedication and talent of its members and leadership. 

Classical Orchestra Roche - Klassisches Orchester Roche