For several seasons, Enrique Mazzola and his French orchestra are certainly the most thrilling event for the skotey Parisian music lover.  Each ONDIF series based on brilliant orchestral programming is sold out at the new Philharmonie. This perfect association between a dynamic orchestra and a new generation’s Maestro makes ONDIF (orchestre National d’Île de France) the only local orchestra able to fill a hall without publicity – thanks to cheap tickets policy and very accessible way to encounter for the first time a symphonic orchestra, all concerts are dedicated to a large audience. The so energetic ONDIF under Mazolla - who just understood that it is over for the old fashioned sacred trilogy Overture-Concerto-Symphony - dare to shake the tree of routine and each concert is considered as a real tasty feast to share together. Mazolla is absolutely dazzling to introduce concerts with selected words and charming Italian accent, to create interest for music – even on contemporary scores commissioned to young composers - and to make music in a passionate way.  Artistic results are spectacular and this orchestra, playing in Paris and all cities for the rich and poor regional suburbs without distinction, is the most important musical project in the Ile-de-France region introducing classical music to everyone.

For its first studio session, Mazzola – making his debut nowadays at the NYC Metropolitan Opera on Elisir d’amore – choose the perfect war horses with some rare and exciting Overtures from his favorite Bel Canto repertoire… Except during R. Bonynge’s time, we are not sure Donizetti’s Ugo, Conte di Parigi, Mercadante’s Emma d’Antiochia or Meyerbeer’s Margherita d’Anjou were that often played or recorded. For a premiere experience in front of the microphones, here is a terrific and so energetic bouquet of Bel canto Overtures.

François Dru