Founded by Riccardo Muti in 2004, the Luigi Cherubini Youth Orchestra was named after one of the finest composers of all times, born in Italy but active all over Europe. This choice underlines the Orchestra’s vocation, combining a strong Italian identity with a natural inclination towards a European vision of music and culture. The Youth Orchestra, a privileged link between the conservatoires and the professional world, set up its residence in Piacenza, and elected the Ravenna Festival as its summer home. The young instrumentalists of the Cherubini Youth Orchestra are all under 30 and come from all over Italy. They were selected through audition by a committee of top musicians from prestigious European orchestras, headed by Riccardo Muti himself. Dynamism and continuous renewal are a distinctive feature of the Orchestra, and it is in this perspective that members are only appointed for a period of three years, after which they may start collaboration with a major professional orchestra.
In recent years, under the baton of Riccardo Muti, the Orchestra has tackled a repertoire ranging from baroque to XX century music, alternating concerts in many Italian cities to important European and world tours.