About Us

Leader of the italian musical life since thirty years

The Orchestra Regionale dell’Emilia-Romagna, founded in Parma in 1975, was recognized in 1977 by the State of Italy as a Concert and Orchestra organization of national importance. In 1982, it assumed the name “Orchestra Sinfonica dell’Emilia-Romagna ‘Arturo Toscanini’”, with the consent of the heirs of the renowned director, who was born in Parma where the organization has been located since its establishment. In 2002, the name of the orchestra honouring the Maestro was given to the “Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini”, a large orchestra which includes the Orchestra Regionale dell’Emilia-Romagna as its permanent constituting core. From 1 September 2007, the orchestra assumed its present name, reflecting, along with its institutional nature, the strong bond that links it to the tradition and musical culture of the territory for which it works.

Today, the Orchestra Regionale dell’Emilia-Romagna is considered one of the leading Italian regional orchestras and is involved in prestigious and continual symphonic activities. Over the years, it has been conducted by music directors Piero Bellugi (1980/81), Gunter Neuhold (1982/85), Vladimir Delman (1986/88), Hubert Soudant (1988/91), Gianandrea Gavazzeni (1992/96), Patrick Fournillier (1998/2000). The orchestra also acts to support the opera activities of the Region’s Theatres and Festivals and participates in opera productions staged directly by the Fondazione Toscanini with artists including Franco Zeffirelli, Pier Luigi Pizzi and Pier’Alli, many of which (Aida, La Traviata, Rigoletto, Nabucco, I Vespri siciliani) have been released on DVDs of major national and international collections.

Along with the numerous activities aimed at promoting music in the territory, the Orchestra Regionale dell’Emilia-Romagna carries out important and innovative activities conceived specifically for the schools of Emilia-Romagna, involving more than twenty thousand students each year. The many chamber groups operating within the orchestra are widely appreciated, notably the Ensemble di Musica Contemporanea, the Gruppo d’Archi, the Ensemble Teatro delle Note and the Ensemble della Fondazione Toscanini.

Winner of two Abbiati Awards, in 1982 and 1986, the Orchestra Regionale dell’Emilia-Romagna, has performed in the major cities of Europe, North America and Asia. It has a long list of radio and television broadcasts, including worldwide broadcasts, as well as recordings, and DVDs, produced by labels as Decca, TDK, Ricordi, Fonit Cetra, Ermitage and ECA.