The ORFEO Orchestra was founded in Budapest in 1991 by György Vashegyi, receiving its name from Monteverdi's L'Orfeo, following the first full performance of the opera in Hungary. The orchestra consists of professional musicians with Hungarian and international experience as either orchestra members or instrumental soloists.
The Orfeo is the most authentic exponent of classical compositions in Hungary and has given many first performances on period instruments under the baton of György Vashegyi. Between 2002 and 2007 are being performed Haydn's first 80 symphonies as part of Mr. Vashegyi's own concert series (venue: Esterházy Palace), enabling these to be heard there for the first time since the 18th century with the same number of players, on period instruments, as Haydn himself used to perform them.

The names of the ORFEO Orchestra and the PURCELL Choir have now become inseparably linked to that of Mr. Vashegyi, who can rightly be described as the outstanding exponent of classical and early music compositions and the person who has revitalized these works in Hungary.