Observatory

Audiences

An attentive relationship with the public is at the heart of the concerns of the French Association of Orchestras and of each of its members: music only exists in its resonance with the ears of the audience.

What you need to know 

Until 2015, there was no specific national survey of orchestral music audiences that could provide objective information for the debate.

The survey on orchestra audiences conducted at the initiative of the AFO, entrusted to theAristat agency and financed jointly with the thirteen participating orchestras, with the support of Crédit Coopératif and the Audiens group, was a first step in understanding orchestra audiences.

It has provided a snapshot of the reality of orchestral audiences, thus offering professionals and public authorities elements of understanding: what are the characteristics of the audience? What motivates them to attend concerts? How do they develop their practice and their passions?

This survey has made it possible to put a number of preconceived ideas into perspective by highlighting the great diversity of spectators' origins, musical tastes and behaviours; this information is essential for all those involved in music policy to consolidate the presence of classical music in all regions, for the benefit of audiences, artists and the cultural vitality of our country.

In 2018, the AFO and Aristat carried out a second round of surveys covering the 2018 - 2019 season.

Les deux volets de l’enquête sont agrégés dans l'ouvrage Un public mosaïque - A la découverte des spectateurs de la musique symphonique, publié aux Editions de l'Attribut en 2021.

AFO studies and key figures

  • Quand un public en cache un autre (2013-2014)

Synthèse de l'enquête

Focus 1 - Rajeunissement et démocratisation, une injonction contradictoire

Focus 2 - Une entrée tardive dans le classique : la socialisation inversée

Focus 3 - Les âges du public de la musique symphonique en France

  • Un public mosaïque - A la découverte des spectateurs de la musique symphonique

Cet ouvrage, publié aux Editions de l'Attribut, agrège les résultats des enquêtes menées sur les saisons 2013-2014 et 2018-2019.

Commander l'ouvrage