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Philharmonia Season 1

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A tense and moving psychological thriller, Philharmonia reveals the genius (and secrets) of a maestro with a past that’s catching up with her and a curse she’s trying to escape. Will music be able to save our heroine–and the 120 musicians under her baton–from sickness...and death?

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Topic Studios produces award-winning film, TV & podcasts, supporting creators at the forefront of culture.

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Philharmonia

Drama•TV-MA•1 Season | 6 Episodes

Hélène returns to Paris to conduct a prestigious orchestra. On top of proving herself in a male-dominated field, now she must dodge a deadly curse and clear her name. Lethal secrets merge wi

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6 Episodes

Hélène Barizet, a brilliant conductor with unorthodox methods, is back in Paris after 20 years to take over as head of the Philharmonia: a national orchestra called the “maestro killer.” Determined to save this orchestra and spread her passion for music, she starts by replacing the first violin with a young tutti player. But when all Hélène wants to do is break from her past, what does she have to offer? By coming home, she must confront the family curse that made her leave in the first place.

A successful first concert helps establish Hélène’s authority, but a flood in the auditorium seriously threatens the future of the orchestra. Without additional financing, its fate is doomed. The director seeks help from Rafael Crozes, a wealthy patron with a scandalous past, but he is unaware that Crozes and Hélène are connected by a passion as destructive as it is intense. To save the Philharmonia, Hélène now has to face Crozes.

The mysterious death of a musician hits everyone like a bombshell. Being in mourning is hard enough, but their reputation as a cursed orchestra is doubly unsettling. Hélène is overcome with doubt. She had had a violent dispute with the oboist just before his death. Did she have something to do with it? The director is persuaded she did. With all the mounting pressure around her, and when her husband leaves her to move in with the orchestra’s horn player, Hélène’s mental state deteriorates.

When Hélène collapses during a concert, the director seizes the chance to replace her. But the musicians threaten to strike and demand her immediate return. Hélène’s presence exacerbates an already tense situation. Meanwhile, Crozes coerces her into moving in with him, or else he’ll pull all his financing. Exhausted, she gives in. Convinced she is a danger to those around her, Hélène decides to leave for New York. But not before her father reveals the truth about her condition.

Freed from her doubts, Hélène returns to the podium. Like a boxer back in the ring, she’s set on taking down whoever is trying to destroy the orchestra. To do so, she relies on her weapon of choice: her fine-tuned ear. Listening to her musicians play, where once she heard only admiration, she now discerns a note of hatred. Shaken and upset, she blames the wrong person. She’ll have to learn to hear the inaudible. And accept her faults...and those of others.

Hélène finds a core of support within the orchestra that gives her the strength to face her demons. So eager to deliver genius, Hélène must also accept the lurking madness that comes with it. Is it too late to restore harmony and trust? Time is running out as preparations are under way for the final concert. Hélène has one last card to play⎯that of a great musician with a generous heart. But will she be able to keep death at bay?

Credits

Creator

Marine Gacem

Cast

Marie-Sophie Ferdane, Lina El Arabi, Laurent Bateau, Francois Vincentelli, Charlie Bruneau, Tom Novembre, Olivier Chantreau

Director

Louis Choquette

Writers

Marine Gacem, Laura Piani

Producer

Rose Brandford Griffith

Executive Producer

Alain Bonnet

Cinematographer

Penelope Pourriat