The Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de México (OSEM) is the symphony orchestra of Mexico founded on August 27, 1971, in Toluca, Mexico State, by Enrique Bátiz and the government of the Mexico State. The orchestra aimed to spread music as an art, fostering unity among citizens. Based at Sala Felipe Villanueva, OSEM began performing in major venues across Mexico. In 1975, they embarked on their first international tour to the United States. Throughout the 1980s, the orchestra was directed by Manuel Suárez and Eduardo Diaz Muñoz. OSEM's international tours included performances in Germany, Spain, Poland, France, China, and a 49-concert tour of the US in 2008. The orchestra has released numerous recordings covering works by Giuseppe Verdi, Gioachino Rossini, Isaac Albéniz, Joaquín Rodrigo, Manuel M. Ponce, Carlos Chávez, Ludwig van Beethoven, Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Both the orchestra and its artistic director have repeatedly received the Annual Award from the Mexican Union of Chroniclers of Theater and Music.
