ONPL choir is closed: a cultural heritage is disappearing!

ONPL choir is closed: a cultural heritage is disappearing!

The Orchester National des Pays de la Loire (ONPL) has to announce a serious blow on October 26, 2025: The Chœur de l'ONPL will be dissolved on June 30, 2026. This unfortunate decision was made by the orchestra's syndicat mixte for budgetary reasons. For over 20 years, 70 volunteer singers have been involved in the choir, which has not only functioned as an artistic institution, but also as an important element for social cohesion in the region.

At a time when cultural funding is constantly under scrutiny, the news triggers deep regret. The crucial problem here is that the Choeur only represents 2% of the orchestra's annual budget. Nevertheless, the closure has far-reaching consequences, including the loss of 12 jobs. Valérie Fayet, who has been at the helm since its inception and has created a unique vocal identity, commented on this dramatic turnaround that she never intended to give up her position.

The background to the decision

The decision to close did not come out of the blue. According to France Musique, the orchestra's financial situation is dramatic: the subsidies received through the departments of Loire-Atlantique and Maine-et-Loire as well as the Pays de la Loire received were cut three times. The orchestra is missing exactly 1,018,000 euros, which seriously threatens its entire artistic work. Guillaume Lamas, managing director of the orchestra, explained that closing the choir was one of the options that had been considered for a year.

The budget for culture is under discussion in numerous regions, although increased budget approaches nationwide are not enough to save the many cultural institutions. While the Federal Ministry of Culture and Media implemented a budget increase from 2.15 billion euros to 2.2 billion euros in 2025, taz.de and other media explain that many cultural projects will have to suffer from these cuts. Here too, the Chœur de l’ONPL is not an isolated case.

Artistic legacies and shared commitment

The choir members have now become active and are planning protest concerts to draw attention to their precarious situation. In addition, they have started a petition to bring about a change. It is a clear call for cultural policy to think about the importance of cultural institutions in the regions. The dissolution of the choir is not only perceived as the loss of 20 years of artistic excellence, but could also have long-term effects on the entire cultural landscape of the region.

At a time when the value of culture is being put to the test more than ever, it is to be hoped that the popularity of such initiatives will not wane. Because only together can the voices of culture continue to be heard, even in difficult times. The Chœur's fate should be seen as a warning signal for the entire cultural sector to avoid such losses in the future.