Founded 1958 Active from 1958 | Website www.cso.co.nz Genre Classical | |
Similar Benjamin Northey, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, New Zealand Symphon, Bic Runga, Malvina Major Profiles | ||
The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (sometimes referred to by its abbreviated form CSO) is the professional orchestra of Christchurch, New Zealand. It was established in 1958, in part due to the vision and encouragement of Christchurch composer John Ritchie, and has existed continuously ever since.
Currently, the CSO has an established core of principal and tenured players with additional contracted casual players. The orchestra performs in over fifty concerts a year including performances for the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Southern Opera, Christchurch City Council events, the National Concerto Competition and the Adam International Cello Festival and Competition. The CSO repertoire presents a wide range of classical, pops and contemporary musical styles. The orchestra also works with primary and secondary schools throughout the South Island with its Outreach and Education programme.
Bic Runga has recorded an album with the CSO, Live in Concert with the Christchurch Symphony.
The Chief Conductor from 2015 will be the Australian conductor Benjamin Northey.