Image by Nick Rutter
Since 1998, the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra has brought exciting and inspirational classical music performances to the heart of Oxford in the Sheldonian Theatre.
Praised as ‘excellent’ by Gramophone magazine and ‘thoroughly impressive’ by BBC Music Magazine, the OPO prides itself on making exceptional and unique musical experiences, bringing new and engaging interpretations to well-loved works in the classical repertoire. The Orchestra is dedicated to the highest standards of artistic excellence and musical integrity, and strives to create bold musical statements with every concert it presents.
The OPO has a jam-packed summer of concerts and events ahead, in Oxford and beyond. Continuing their season at the Sheldonian Theatre, the Orchestra presents concerts of Brahms, Beethoven’s Mass in C and a sold-out Beethoven’s Ninth, and on 7 June they make their US debut at Carnegie Hall with legendary violinist Maxim Vengerov. In July the Orchestra presents their Summer Series: three concerts each performed at both the stunning new Olivier Hall at St Edward’s School, Oxford, and at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London.
In the first week of August the OPO presents the Oxford Piano Festival: founded in 1999 by Marios Papadopoulos, the Festival welcomes piano players and pedagogues, experts and enthusiasts to some of Oxford’s most historic venues, such as Sir Christopher Wren’s Sheldonian Theatre, the Holywell Music Room, and Christ Church Cathedral. The Festival’s objective is simple: to inspire, support and encourage music-making at the piano of the highest quality. With Alfred Brendel as the Festival’s Patron, Sir András Schiff as President, and Marios Papadopoulos a renowned pianist himself, the bar is set very high in terms of quality and artistic integrity.
The Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra has been firmly committed to outreach work from its earliest days, with projects taking music to areas of social and economic disadvantage, including hospitals, Special Schools, and partnerships with Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council. As Orchestra in Residence at the University of Oxford, the Orchestra frequently collaborates with the Faculty of Music in educational programmes with various tuition and performance opportunities for talented young musicians, including the recently launched Side-by-Side scheme, providing an opportunity for young musicians to perform within the ranks of a professional orchestra.
Visit the OPO website to find out more about the Orchestra, and to see the full events list of upcoming concerts.