| Auckland Philharmonia | |
|---|---|
| Symphony orchestra | |
| Short name | APO |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Location | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Concert hall | Auckland Town Hall |
| Music director | Giordano Bellincampi |
| Website | aucklandphil |
 | |
The Auckland Philharmonia (also Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, APO) is a symphony orchestra based in Auckland, New Zealand. Its principal concert venue is the Auckland Town Hall, and it is also the accompanying ensemble for Auckland stage performances by New Zealand Opera and the Royal New Zealand Ballet. The Auckland Philharmonia's patrons are Dame Catherine Tizard, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Dame Rosanne Meo and Barbara Glaser.
History
In 1980, 19 musicians of the collapsed Symphonia of Auckland founded a new cooperatively run orchestra as an incorporated society, the Auckland Philharmonia Society, Inc. Local businessman Olly Newland undertook the financial risk of holding the remaining assets of the Symphonia, and organised several public rallies to garner support. He continued to serve on the management board for some years afterwards. From 1980 to 2005, the Auckland Philharmonia Society focused on artistic management of the orchestra, and delegated financial responsibility to a Board of Advisors and Management. In 2005, a structural change in the organisation produced two principal stakeholders. A charitable trust was established to manage the orchestra's capital asset fund, allowing the society to concentrate on the artistic and operational functions.[1]
John Hopkins was principal conductor of the Auckland Philharmonia for 8 years. Other conductors who have worked as artistic advisors to the Auckland Philharmonia include Edvard Tchivzhel, Vladimir Verbitsky and Enrique Diemecke. Miguel Harth-Bedoya was music director of the Auckland Philharmonia from 1998 to 2005. From 2009 until 2015, the orchestra's Music Director was Eckehard Stier.[2] In February 2015, the Auckland Philharmonia announced the appointment of Giordano Bellincampi as its next music director, effective in 2016, with an initial contract of 3 years.[3][4] Other affiliated APO conductors have included Roy Goodman, principal guest conductor from 2009 to 2011.
The Auckland Philharmonia maintains several artistic partnerships with entities such as the Auckland Festival, the Michael Hill International Violin Competition, and the Atamira dance company. Its educational work includes a partnership with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage in the Sistema Aotearoa programme (based on the El Sistema programme from Venezuela).
Music Directors
- Miguel Harth-Bedoya (1998–2003)
- Eckehard Stier (2009–2015)
- Giordano Bellincampi (2016–)
Composers-in-Residence
- 1990 Ivan Zagni
- 1991 Eve de Castro-Robinson
- 1992 Andrew Perkins
- 1993 Martin Lodge
- 1994 Helen Bowater
- 1995 Nigel Keay
- 1996 Jaz Coleman
- 1997 Leonie Holmes
- 1998 Jonathan Besser
- 1999 David Hamilton
- 2000–2001 Gillian Whitehead
- 2002–2003 John Rimmer
- 2004 Dylan Lardelli & Anthony Young
- 2005–2006 Ross Harris
- 2007–2008 Gareth Farr & Karlo Margetić (Young Composer in Residence)
- 2009 Chris Adams
- 2010–2011 John Psathas
- 2012–2013 Jack Body
- 2014–2015 Kenneth Young
- 2016–2017 Karlo Margetić
The Composer in Residence position was discontinued in 2018.
References
- ↑ "Auckland Philharmonia Trust". NZBN Register. New Zealand: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ↑ William Dart (11 October 2014). "APO shows its adventurous side". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
- ↑ "Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra announces new Music Director" (Press release). Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. February 2015. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
- ↑ "Giordano Bellincampi Named Music Director of Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra" (Press release). IMG Artists. 27 February 2015. Archived from the original on 6 March 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2015.