In 1774, for the first time, a foreign work was presented in a French translation: Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice.

In 1987 the orchestra performed Händel's Giulio Cesare for the first time on authentic instruments, led by Jean-Claude Malgoire.

In 1997, the orchestra played 1 to 2 premieres and 30 productions per season, under the auspices of the Paris Opera.

In the 2009–2013 seasons, the young conductor and musical director of the opera Philippe Jordan performed the four parts of Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen for which the orchestra's line-up was expanded; on the occasion of Wagner's 200th birthday, the four parts of the so-called Festival du Ring were given again over eight days from 18 to 26 June 2013.

On this occasion, Linda Watson, who played Brünnhilde's role, was appointed to the French board of the Legion of Honour on 23 June 2013.