The Orquestra Gulbenkian was founded in 1962 and now comprises a core team of sixty-six instrumentalists, whose number is increased as and when programmes require. It is therefore able to tackle a repertoire ranging from Classical works to contemporary music. It is based at Lisbon’s Gulbenkian Foundation, where it performs a cycle of concerts every season with some of the world’s greatest soloists and conductors. One of Portugal’s leading orchestras, the Gulbenkian has also performed to great success at venues around the world, and has made a series of internationally acclaimed recordings. Paul McCreesh has been principal conductor since the start of the 2013–14 season, Susanna Mälkki is the current principal guest conductor, and Pedro Neves and Joana Carneiro are both guest conductors. Previous principal conductors include Claudio Scimone (1979–86), who is now the orchestra’s honorary conductor, and Lawrence Foster (2002–13), who has since been appointed its emeritus conductor.

Photo: Márcia Lessa