The Orchestre FILMharmonique has become, in just a decade, the go-to event for film music enthusiasts in Québec. Its concept is simple yet remarkably effective: a film is screened on a large screen while the orchestra performs the entire soundtrack live. From The Lord of the Rings to Star Wars, including Bugs Bunny and Harry Potter, these film concerts attract an audience that often has never set foot in a classical music hall. Here's what you need to know about the orchestra and its scheduled concerts in Montreal, Québec City, and the regions for the 2026-2027 season.
What is the Orchestre FILMharmonique?
According to its official website, the Orchestre FILMharmonique is described as Canada’s premier film music orchestra, composed of world-class Canadian musicians. It was founded in 2015 by Denis Chabot, principal double bassist of the Orchestre classique de Montréal, who is also its co-artistic director. The concerts are produced with GFN Productions.
The musical direction is largely led by Francis Choinière, conductor, pianist, composer, and concert producer. The CBC named him among the "30 Canadian classical musicians under 30 to watch," and he received the Christa and Franz-Paul Decker Conducting Fellowship from the Hnatyshyn Foundation. He is the one seen at the podium in most of the productions announced for the season.
The orchestra's mission is clear: to make classical music accessible to a wider audience. For many listeners, a FILMharmonique concert is their very first experience of an orchestra in a hall. The ensemble aims to reach both regular classical concertgoers and build a new, more inclusive audience across Canada, while showcasing Canadian artists and music education.
Film concerts that fill the Place des Arts
Since its inception, the orchestra has presented film concerts annually at the salle Wilfrid-Pelletier of the Place des Arts, often to sold-out audiences, according to its website. The repertoire is impressive:
- Harry Potter, Star Wars, The Godfather, Gladiator, Titanic;
- Amadeus, Fantasia, La Passion d'Augustine;
- Bugs Bunny and Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
The film concert format works as follows: the film is shown on a giant screen above the stage, with dialogues, while the musicians play in perfect synchronization with the image. Well-known themes, from John Williams to Howard Shore, are rediscovered with a grandeur that no cinema can offer. It is undoubtedly the best gateway to classical music for families and film buffs.
The orchestra is not limited to cinema. It has presented symphonic tributes (John Williams, Ennio Morricone, Joe Hisaishi, the Beatles, Metallica, James Bond), video game music concerts (including several productions related to Square Enix's FINAL FANTASY universe), and even a symphonic Sinatra with tenor Marc Hervieux.
Collaborations with internationally renowned artists
Over the years, FILMharmonique has accompanied several big names in music on stage. Its website notably mentions Hans Zimmer, Andrea Bocelli, Stevie Wonder, Patrick Watson, Ramin Djawadi (composer of Game of Thrones), Ute Lemper, and Stacey Kent.
The orchestra also records albums under the GFN Classiques label: L'univers symphonique du cinéma, Vivaldi and Piazzolla's The Four Seasons, Phonèmes, and François Dompierre's Requiem (the latter won the Félix for Classical Album of the Year in 2025), as well as projects with CLANN, Lyrico, and Michel Corriveau. These albums are available on major streaming platforms.
Upcoming concerts in 2026: Ghostly Kisses, Louis-Jean Cormier, and Half Moon Run
Fall 2026 highlights local artists revisiting their songs with the orchestra under the direction of Francis Choinière. Here are the performances in Québec announced on the official website starting from late September 2026:
- Ghostly Kisses and the Orchestre FILMharmonique: October 9, 2026, at the Grand Théâtre de Québec and October 16, 2026, at the Maison symphonique in Montreal. The dream-pop project of Margaux Sauvé and Louis-Étienne Santais takes on a new dimension with the orchestra;
- Louis-Jean Cormier and the Orchestre FILMharmonique: two performances on October 17, 2026, at the Maison symphonique, then October 31, 2026, at the Théâtre Gilles-Vigneault in Saint-Jérôme. The singer-songwriter performs his notable songs in new arrangements by Francis Choinière;
- The Four Seasons: from Vivaldi to Dompierre, with violinist Isabella d'Éloize Perron: October 11, 2026, at the Théâtre des Deux-Rives in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, November 4, 2026, at the salle Raoul-Jobin in Québec City, and November 6 and 7, 2026, at the Maison symphonique. The program includes Vivaldi, Piazzolla, and François Dompierre's Les Quatre Saisons du Québec;
- Half Moon Run and the Orchestre FILMharmonique: November 8, 2026, at the salle Maurice-O'Bready in Sherbrooke, November 21, 22, and 23, 2026, at the Grand Théâtre de Québec, and November 24, 2026, at the Théâtre du Palais municipal in Saguenay, with arrangements by Blair Thomson.
These concerts last about two hours with an intermission, according to the official listings.
The Lord of the Rings, Bugs Bunny, Harry Potter: the 2027 season
Film concerts resume in full swing in winter and spring 2027:
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King in Concert: January 8 to 10, 2027, at the salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, then February 5 and 6, 2027, at the Grand Théâtre de Québec. Expect a long evening: the official schedule lists over three and a half hours of performance;
- Bugs Bunny at the Symphony: February 12 and 13, 2027, at the salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, ideal for a family outing;
- NieR: Orchestra Concert 12026 [YoRHa]: February 14, 2027, at the salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, for video game fans;
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in Concert: March 12 and 13, 2027, at the salle Wilfrid-Pelletier;
- Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert: May 21 and 22, 2027, at the salle Wilfrid-Pelletier;
- Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi in Concert: June 3 and 4, 2027, at the Grand Théâtre de Québec.
Schedules may change, and new dates are often added during the season: always check the page of each production before booking.
Notre-Dame de Paris symphonic: the event of spring 2027
This is probably the most anticipated production by the Québec audience. More than 25 years after its creation, the musical Notre-Dame de Paris returns in a symphonic adaptation by Simon Leclerc, recreating the concert presented by the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal in 2001. The announced cast includes:
- Pierre Lapointe (Gringoire);
- Marc Hervieux (Quasimodo);
- Marie-Eve Janvier (Esmeralda);
- Christian Marc Gendron (Frollo), Sam Champagne (Phoebus), Josiane (Fleur-de-Lys), and Gardy Fury (Clopin).
You will hear Belle, Le Temps des cathédrales, Vivre, and Danse mon Esmeralda again. Dates in Québec: April 2, 2027, in Saguenay, April 3 and 4, 2027, at the Grand Théâtre de Québec, April 9 to 11, 2027, at the salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, June 12, 2027, at the Amphithéâtre Cogeco in Trois-Rivières, and June 26, 2027, at the salle Maurice-O'Bready in Sherbrooke.
Practical information: tickets, venues, and tips
- Where are the concerts held? Mainly at the Place des Arts (salle Wilfrid-Pelletier and Maison symphonique) in Montreal and the Grand Théâtre de Québec, but also in Sherbrooke, Saguenay, Trois-Rivières, Saint-Jérôme, Gatineau, and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu depending on the tours.
- Tickets: each production links to the ticket office of the venue (Place des Arts, Grand Théâtre de Québec, regional venues). Prices vary by venue and section: check the official ticket office.
- Full schedule: on the official website of the Orchestre FILMharmonique, which allows filtering productions by city.
- Duration: about two hours with an intermission for most concerts, longer for The Lord of the Rings film concerts.
Our tip: popular film concerts often sell out. Book early and, for a better view of the screen, choose seats in the back of the orchestra section or the balcony.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Orchestre FILMharmonique
What is the Orchestre FILMharmonique?
It is a Canadian orchestra founded in 2015 by Denis Chabot, specializing in film music. It presents film concerts where a film's soundtrack is played live during the screening, as well as symphonic tributes and collaborations with artists.
Who is the conductor of the Orchestre FILMharmonique?
Francis Choinière, co-artistic director, conducts most of the productions for the 2026-2027 season, including Notre-Dame de Paris symphonic, Half Moon Run, and Louis-Jean Cormier.
What is the difference between a symphony orchestra and a wind orchestra?
A symphony orchestra includes strings (violins, violas, cellos, double basses), winds, and percussion. A wind orchestra consists mainly of wind instruments and percussion. The FILMharmonique, despite its name, plays with a symphonic formation.
Where to buy tickets for FILMharmonique concerts?
On the orchestra's website, each production includes a link to the ticket office of the relevant venue, such as the Place des Arts or the Grand Théâtre de Québec.
Also to discover
Looking for another cultural outing? Discover the Palais Montcalm – Maison de la musique in Québec City or the Québec City Film Festival.
👉 See the concert listing for Ghostly Kisses and the Orchestre FILMharmonique on Évasion Québec.
