Orchestra Victoria is a full-time salaried orchestra based in Melbourne, Australia, and wholly owned subsidiary of the Australian Ballet. Founded in 1969, the orchestra is now a principal performance partner for the Australian Ballet, Opera Australia, and larger productions of Victorian Opera.

History

The orchestra was established in 1969 as the Elizabethan Trust Melbourne Orchestra, initially with just 32 players. Over the next decade, the orchestra expanded both its numbers and repertoire as it accompanied some of the world's leading performers, including Rudolf Nureyev and Dame Joan Sutherland, and worked with renowned conductors such as Richard Bonynge, Stuart Challender, Carlo Felice Cillario and John Lanchbery. In 1986, the Victorian Arts Centre took over the Orchestra and changed its name to the State Orchestra of Victoria. Its initial management and artistic team: concertmaster: Anthony Conolan, administrator: Peter Narroway, orchestra manager: Kevin Morgan. In 2001, the orchestra became an independent organisation named Orchestra Victoria. It then moved to what was known to be the Army Band Barracks in Albert Park. On 1 July 2014, Orchestra Victoria became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Australian Ballet. Since then it has expanded activities, continued to perform with leading artists from around the world, revitalised its philanthropic program, appears in broadcasts, recordings and open-air events and toured interstate for the first time in many years. At the end of 2016, the orchestra was forced to move out of its home in Albert Park to make way for a new primary school. In January 2023, it further relocated from Joan Hammond Hall in Southbank, Melbourne, to a site in North Melbourne to allow for the Melbourne Arts Precincts Transformation project to proceed.

Activities

Performances:

Leading staff

Discography

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector. ! Ref.

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. They commenced in 1987. ! Ref.