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Kultura article:
Murmansk Philharmonic Orchestra
Article from the Russian Cultural Magazine "Kultura", written by Olga Danilova in 2002.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Philharmonic Society of Murmansk, like many other cultural institutions in Russia, was left to survive by the Russian government. In 1999, the Philharmonic Society of Murmansk decided to form the first, and probably the only professional orchestra in the Kola penisula, to serve the cultural needs of the population in the Barent region.
Happily, the interests of Damian Iorio, a young conductor and the most Northern Philharmonic Society in the world coincided. Damian Iorio, who at that time was studying at St. Petersburg State Music Conservatory as a postgraduate student, was the only candidate for the Chief Conductor position who was more interested in artistic values than salary.
Iorio's belief in success, his talent, his youthful dynamism and above all his ability to transform routine into a fascinating artistic process made a huge impression on the musicians. "It seems that they have all simply fallen in love with him!" whispered curious people who crept into the first rehearsals. Step by step the chamber orchestra became the new foundation of Murmansk Philharmonic Society who can state proudly that every night has been a sold out event!
At the end of the first season in 2000, the orchestra had its first serious international exposure in a major collaboration project with the Norwegian National Opera in the the highly acclaimed production of Puccini's "Tosca". In the following seasons the orchestra made a very successful tour to Norway and Sweden, as well as performing in the Small Hall of the St Petersburg Philharmonic during the 10th International Festival "Christmas meetings in the Northern Palmyra".
The Murmansk Philharmonic Orchestra performs seven to eight new programs each season in Murmansk and the surrounding region with internationally renowned soloists from Russia and Scandanavia.
(Based on the article in Kultura by Olga Danilova. English translation by Natalia Kirillova)
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Philharmonic Society of Murmansk, like many other cultural institutions in Russia, was left to survive by the Russian government. In 1999, the Philharmonic Society of Murmansk decided to form the first, and probably the only professional orchestra in the Kola penisula, to serve the cultural needs of the population in the Barent region.
Happily, the interests of Damian Iorio, a young conductor and the most Northern Philharmonic Society in the world coincided. Damian Iorio, who at that time was studying at St. Petersburg State Music Conservatory as a postgraduate student, was the only candidate for the Chief Conductor position who was more interested in artistic values than salary.
Iorio's belief in success, his talent, his youthful dynamism and above all his ability to transform routine into a fascinating artistic process made a huge impression on the musicians. "It seems that they have all simply fallen in love with him!" whispered curious people who crept into the first rehearsals. Step by step the chamber orchestra became the new foundation of Murmansk Philharmonic Society who can state proudly that every night has been a sold out event!
At the end of the first season in 2000, the orchestra had its first serious international exposure in a major collaboration project with the Norwegian National Opera in the the highly acclaimed production of Puccini's "Tosca". In the following seasons the orchestra made a very successful tour to Norway and Sweden, as well as performing in the Small Hall of the St Petersburg Philharmonic during the 10th International Festival "Christmas meetings in the Northern Palmyra".
The Murmansk Philharmonic Orchestra performs seven to eight new programs each season in Murmansk and the surrounding region with internationally renowned soloists from Russia and Scandanavia.
(Based on the article in Kultura by Olga Danilova. English translation by Natalia Kirillova)
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