Flanders Symphony Orchestra
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For more than sixty years already, Flanders Symphony Orchestra has been a well-established name in the Flemish cultural landscape. With sixty committed and passionate musicians led by renowned conductors, Flanders Symphony Orchestra brings performances and creations of contemporary music as well as modern interpretations of the symphonic repertoire from Classicism and onwards.
Flanders Symphony Orchestra fulfils an exemplary role in creating opportunities for young, talented musicians, composers, soloists and conductors, and makes music from the past and present accessible to the widest and most diverse audience possible in Flanders and beyond.
In 1960, the orchestra was founded by Dirk Varendonck, who was also its first conductor. From 1986 onwards, the ‘New Flemish Orchestra’ was conducted by Patrick Peire, Robert Groslot and Fabrice Bollon. In 1995, it was renamed ‘The Flanders Symphony Orchestra’ and a little later ‘Flanders Symphony Orchestra’. After a thorough reform, successively David Angus, Etienne Siebens, Seikyo Kim and Jan Latham-Koenig held the position of chief conductor. Since concert season 2019-2020, Estonian conductor Kristiina Poska has been in charge.
In addition to concert series in Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels and Ghent, Flanders Symphony Orchestra is a guest at numerous venues in their homeland and abroad.
