Human Rights Orchestra
Performing masterpieces of Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Mahler as well as commissioned works inspired by human rights, the orchestra has attracted prominent soloists and enthusiastic audiences to support humanitarian and social projects around the world.
Human Rights Orchestra audience in Lucerne, Switzerland
Alessio Allegrini, founder and artistic director of Musicians For Human Rights
Conducted by Alessio Allegrini, the Human Rights Orchestra is an ever expanding community of musicians who support humanitarian and social projects with fundraising concerts. Gathering mostly from across Europe for an intense three days of rehearsals, the orchestra presents programs ranging from masterpieces of the repertoire to commissioned works inspired by human rights issues, events, and champions.
Concerts have featured both young artists and world-renown soloists including Maria João Pires, Isabelle Faust, Ilya Gringolts, Teo Gheorghiu, Imogen Cooper, Rachel Harnisch, RafaŁ Blechacz, and Hélène Grimaud. Through the generosity of concert sponsors, ticket income is donated to local and international organizations supporting marginalized people: to date, 20 organizations in 15 countries.
Representatives of the beneficiary organizations are invited to address their supporters—the orchestra and the audience—who benefit from receiving a personal connection to the purposes, activities, and outcomes of the social projects.
The Human Rights Orchestra
Bassoonists, five cellists, and two violists who performed in the Lucerne concert of 2017