Orpheum Foundation for the Promotion of Young Soloists
The Orpheum Foundation for the Promotion of Young Soloists is a Swiss foundation with an international focus and is based in Zurich . Its aim is to promote budding soloists in the field of classical music.
activity
The foundation regularly organizes concerts and festivals with orchestras and conductors, giving young musicians the chance to perform as a soloist. The foundation maintains regular collaboration with the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich and the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Moscow Radio . The artistic board of trustees is at the center of the funding idea. Its members recommend the foundation to promote talent. The respective guest conductors also have the opportunity to suggest young soloists. In addition, an application process was established to give young soloists (or their agencies) the opportunity to offer themselves to the foundation. The Artistic Director of the Foundation, Howard Griffiths, is responsible for the final selection.
The concerts and festivals in Zurich are well-established, top-class events. A prominent patronage committee documents the social and cultural position of the foundation.
The sponsored soloists are given experiences at the highest artistic level. They get the opportunity to build important relationships and use the recordings of their performances for further career steps.
conditions
18 to usually 25, at most 30 years of age, regardless of origin and religious affiliation. The highest musical and technical skills, exceptional charisma and personality skills appropriate to the professional profile of the soloist are required.
Orpheum is not a competition and does not award scholarships.
history
On February 21, 1990, the foundation was founded in Zurich by culturally conscious entrepreneurs under the leadership of Hans Heinrich Coninx . Right from the start, the financing was purely private. The reason for the foundation of the foundation was the realization that it is often difficult for highly talented young musicians to make a sustainable entry into international musical life, even after winning a renowned competition. This is where the foundation gets involved by giving the young soloists the opportunity to give concerts with prominent orchestras and conductors. Against this background, the first festival took place in Bad Ragaz in 1991 . Since 1994 a festival called the International Orpheum Music Festival has been held every two years in the Tonhalle Zurich to promote young soloists . In addition, various follow-up funding activities are offered and extra concerts are held in Switzerland and abroad. Bank Julius Baer has been a Presenting Partner of the Orpheum Foundation since 2013.
management
- Artistic Director: Howard Griffiths
- President: Hans Heinrich Coninx
- Managing director: Thomas Pfiffner
