The Orchestra della Svizzera italiana (OSI) is Italian Switzerland’s premier musical ensemble. It works with internationally renowned conductors and soloists such as Martha Argerich, programming fresh and creative concerts, operas and dance co-productions, open air concerts, cine-concerts and summer festivals. The orchestra also facilitates numerous education and outreach programmes.

The OSI is resident orchestra at the Sala Teatro – Lugano Arte e Cultura (LAC), with Markus Poschner serving as principal conductor since 2015.

The ensemble is renowned throuout Europe for its innovative performances and multi-award-winning discography, which includes a 2018 ICMA award. Founded in 1935 as the Radio Orchestra of Italian Switzerland, the orchestra assumed its current name in 1991. It has been directed by eminent conductors such as Ansermet, Stravinsky, Stokowski, Celibidache and Scherchen, and has collaborated with many composers including Mascagni, Richard Strauss, Honegger, Milhaud, Martin, Hindemith, and, more recently, Berio, Henze and Penderecki. The OSI is mainly supported by Repubblica e Cantone Ticino – Fondo Swisslos, the City of Lugano, the Associazione degli Amici dell’OSI and its principal sponsor BancaStato.