Biography | The orchestra was founded in 1989 as the Orchestre de Bretagne, and retained this name until April 2012. The orchestra subsequently took up the name of Orchestre symphonique de Bretagne, and in October 2019, the orchestra was granted national status and was renamed the Orchestre national de Bretagne.
Claude Schnitzler was the first music director of the orchestra, from 1989 to 1995. Subsequent music directors have included Stefan Sanderling (19962003) and Darrell Ang (20122015). Moshe Atzmon was principal guest conductor from 2004 to 2012. Olari Elts was music advisor from 2006 to 2012. The ONB's most recent music director was Grant Llewellyn. from 2015 to 2023. In November 2023, the ONB announced the appointment of Nicholas Ellis as its next music director, effective with the 20242025 season, with an initial contract of four seasons |