Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra

The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (APO) is a symphony orchestra based in Auckland, New Zealand. Its principal concert venue is the Auckland Town Hall. The APO is the accompanying ensemble for performances by the NBR New Zealand Opera and the Royal New Zealand Ballet in Auckland. The APO's patrons are Dame Catherine Tizard, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Sir James Wallace, Dame Rosanne Meo and Vice Patron Dame Jenny Gibbs.

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra
Orchestra
Founded1980
Concert hallAuckland Town Hall
Music directorGiordano Bellincampi
Websitewww.apo.co.nz

History

In 1980, 19 musicians of the collapsed Symphonia of Auckland founded a new cooperatively run orchestra under the legal entity of the Auckland Philharmonia Society Inc. This was made possible by a local business man Olly Newland, who, at some financial risk to himself, held what assets remained of the Symphonia, and organised several public rallies to garner support. He continued to serve on the Board of Management 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, the Auckland Philharmonia Society and the Auckland Philharmonia Foundation. The Society concentrates on artistic and operational functions, whilst the Foundation focuses on management of the APO's capital assets fund.

John Hopkins was principal conductor of the APO for 8 years. Other conductors who have worked as artistic advisors to the APO include Edvard Tchivzhel, Vladimir Verbitsky and Enrique Diemecke. Miguel Harth-Bedoya was music director of the APO from 1998 to 2005. From 2009 until 2015, the orchestra's Music Director was Eckehard Stier.[1] In February 2015, the APO announced the appointment of Giordano Bellincampi as its next music director, effective in 2016, with an initial contract of 3 years.[2][3] Other affiliated APO conductors have included Roy Goodman, principal guest conductor from 2009 to 2011.

The APO 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

Composers-in-Residence

The Composer in Residence position was discontinued in 2018.

References
  1. William Dart (11 October 2014). "APO shows its adventurous side". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  2. "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.
  3. "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.
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