 They include the Ensemble Vocal Européen, specialised in Renaissance polyphony, and the Orchestre des Champs Élysées, founded in 1991 with the aim of playing Romantic and pre-Romantic repertoire on original instruments.Since 2009, Philippe Herreweghe and Collegium Vocale Gent have been actively working on the development of a large European-level symphonic choir, at the invitation of the prestigious "Accademia Chigiana" in Siena and from 2011 with the support of the European Union’s Cultural Programme.For some time Herreweghe has been active performing the great symphonic works, from Beethoven to Gustav Mahler.