Founded in 2021 by cellist and conductor Victor Julien-Laferrière, Orchestre Consuelo is one of the most notable young ensembles on the French music scene. Named after the heroine of George Sand's eponymous novel, it brings together chamber musicians, soloists, and orchestra musicians in a demanding and collective approach: the ideal of a creative community of artists in constant dialogue. Consuelo thus seeks, through a process based on mutual listening, to preserve the intensity, flexibility and precision of chamber music on an orchestral scale.

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The ensemble explores an eclectic repertoire, going from 15 to 60 musicians to perform vast symphonic cycles as well as rarely performed or recorded works. This is illustrated by its already rich discography, which combines a complete recording of Beethoven's symphonies (b·records label) with Tchaikovsky's lesser-known orchestral suites and Brahms' serenades (Mirare label).

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Consuelo regularly performs at the biggest venues in France (Cité de la Musique – Philharmonie de Paris, Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Grand Théâtre de Provence, Festival de La Roque d’Anthéron, Festival de La Chaise-Dieu, La Coursive, Folle Journée de Nantes, Opéra de Vichy, Salle Cortot, etc.) as well as in Europe (Sommets Musicaux in Gstaad, Athénéennes in Geneva, Festival dos Capuchos...), and accompanies renowned soloists such as Alexandre Kantorow, Renaud Capuçon, Steven Isserlis, David Fray, Yulianna Avdeeva, Pierre Génisson, Bomsori Kim, Nelson Goerner, etc.

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Deeply committed to passing on classical music to future generations, the orchestra has established a strong presence in Burgundy, where it has developed long-term pedagogical partnerships. In residence at the Auxerre Conservatoire for three years, it supports young music students through a variety of educational activities. It also partners with schools as part of the Orchestre à l'école programme.

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From 2026 onwards, Consuelo will primarily explore the symphonic poems of Liszt, a pioneer of this genre who renewed orchestral dramaturgy by turning symphonic gestures into true sound narratives. During the 2025-26 season, the orchestra will give concerts in Paris (Cité de la Musique, Cathédrale des Invalides, Collège des Bernardins, salle Cortot), in Portugal, Switzerland, at the festivals Folle Journée de Nantes, La Roque d'Anthéron and Laon, at the Grand Théâtre de Provence, La Coursive de La Rochelle, etc. It will perform with Anne Queffélec, David Fray, Eva Zaïcik, Marie-Laure Garnier, Anna Fedorova, Jean-Frédéric Neuburger, Arielle Beck, Liya Petrova, Lise de la Salle, Iris Scialom, Lise Berthaud, etc.

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Supported by Caisse des Dépôts, main sponsor, by its Cercle des mécènes, the Yonne department, the Centre national de la musique, Adami, Spedidam and Fonpeps, Orchestre Consuelo continues to grow with the conviction that symphonic music can remain a space for excellence, sharing and freedom.