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 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.
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 the 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. Since 2009, the orchestra's current music director is Eckehard Stier, following the announcement of his appointment in 2008. Stier is scheduled to stand down as the APO's music director after 2015.[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 Arts 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-)
Composer-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 Margetic (Young Composer in Residence)
- 2009 Chris Adams
- 2010 - 2011 John Psathas
- 2012 - 2013 Jack Body
- 2014 - 2015 Kenneth Young
