Making of a Symphony Orchestra

The making of a symphony orchestra from scratch is a fascinating journey. When this journey leads to an exclusive location on the shores of Lake Como, in collaboration with one of Europe’s most prestigious wedding planning agencies – known for their work with royal families – it becomes an extraordinary tale of artistic dedication and logistical precision. In 2022, our team embarked on an ambitious project: assembling a 31-piece symphony orchestra to perform custom arrangements of iconic film scores for an intimate VIP birthday celebration.

The Vision: From Concept to Symphony

The request came through one of Europe’s most esteemed wedding planning agencies, renowned for their discrete service to royal families and high-profile clients worldwide. The brief was both thrilling and complex: create a full symphony orchestra that would perform during dinner at an exclusive Lake Como estate, playing exclusively film music with custom arrangements. This wasn’t just about gathering musicians – it was about crafting a complete musical experience from the ground up, with every note specially arranged for this unique occasion.

The Challenge: Orchestrating Perfection

Logistical and Artistic Complexities
Managing an event of this magnitude presented several unique challenges. The historic setting along Lake Como’s narrow streets required meticulous planning for transporting both a large group of musicians and some heavy instruments via tourist bus. The requirement for absolute discretion, a hallmark of working with such prestigious clients, meant keeping the 31-piece orchestra hidden until the perfect moment – a theatrical element that added to the evening’s magic.

Musical Selection and Preparation
Our team embarked on an intensive two-and-a-half-month journey, carefully curating a repertoire that included works by Hans Zimmer, Henry Mancini, and Ennio Morricone. Each piece required custom arrangements, written specifically for our symphony orchestra to achieve the perfect balance between classical grandeur and modern sophistication.

The Solution: Creating Musical Magic

Building the Orchestra
Thanks to our extensive network of professional musicians, built through hundreds of concerts and studio recordings over the years, we were able to assemble a 31-piece symphony orchestra of exceptional caliber. Each musician was carefully selected by our conductor based on their ability to capture the specific sound we envisioned – a blend of classical mastery and contemporary energy. Our established relationships with top-tier musicians allowed us to be incredibly flexible in meeting the client’s timeline while maintaining the highest standards of performance.

Behind the Scenes

The process involved multiple layers of coordination, showcasing our ability to manage complex musical productions:

– Custom arrangement writing for each selected piece
– Detailed conductor’s notes preparation
– Multiple rehearsal sessions
– Coordination between orchestra secretariat, back office team, and event managers
– Implementation of technical requirements with audio service providers

Key Moments: A Night to Remember

The evening unfolded like a well-guarded secret, with discretion being as much a part of the luxury as the music itself. As is often the case with such exclusive gatherings, the memories live on primarily in the minds of those fortunate enough to be present, making the experience all the more precious.

The evening began with John Williams’ “Main Title,” setting a tone of cinematic grandeur that accompanied the guests’ entrance to dinner. The Morricone medley moved many to tears, while the 007 themes brought excitement and energy to the dinner service. Through three 40-minute sets, every note was performed live – no backing tracks needed – creating an unprecedented level of sophistication for the dining experience.

From Vision to Reality: The Art of Orchestra Creation

What makes this project particularly special is not just the final performance, but the entire journey of creation. In just two months, we transformed a vision into reality, leveraging our extensive network of musical professionals and our experience in complex productions. This success story demonstrates our ability to adapt to challenging timelines while maintaining the highest standards of musical excellence.

Creating Your Symphonic Experience

Every great performance begins with a vision. Whether you dream of cinematic grandeur or classical elegance, our network of professional musicians and our flexible approach make even the most ambitious musical projects achievable. The journey from concept to crescendo is an art form in itself, and we invite you to explore the possibilities of crafting your own unforgettable musical experience.
Let’s talk about it!