The Orchestre de Paris will perform in Edinburgh this summer as part of the city’s renowned international festival.

The orchestra will put on two concerts at the Usher Hall as part of an Edinburgh International Festival residency in August 2019.

The announcement was made during a visit to Paris by Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon – who hailed it as “the perfect example of the strong cultural links that exist between Scotland and France”.

Ms Sturgeon visited the orchestra’s home in the French capital, the Philharmonie de Paris concert hall, with festival director Fergus Linehan.

The First Minister said: “It’s fantastic to see the Edinburgh International Festival and France’s largest symphonic orchestra – the Orchestre de Paris – joining together for what I am sure will be one of the highlights of the 2019 programme.

Orchestre de Paris rehearsing
The Orchestre de Paris rehearsing at the Philharmonie de Paris. (Sacha Lenormand/PA)

“This is the perfect example of the strong cultural links that exist between Scotland and France which I will be looking to build on during my visit to Paris this week.”

The Orchestre de Paris last perfomed as part of the Edinburgh International Festival more than three decades ago, in 1985

Mr Linehan stated: “We are thrilled to welcome Daniel Harding and the Orchestre de Paris back to the International Festival this August.

“The Festival’s relationship with France is strong and longstanding, with leading French artists such as Pierre Boulez and Juliette Binoche, and ensembles including Opera de Lyon and Théâtre du Soleil, having performed here in the past.

“The Orchestre de Paris last visited the International Festival in 1985, and we look forward to sharing their return with audiences from Scotland and all over the world.”