The European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) has announced that it is moving its operational base from London next year.
In the first change of headquarters since the orchestra was established in 1976, the EUYO has accepted an offer from Dario Franceschini and the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism to establish a legal and operational seat in Italy, the home of its Founding Music Director, Claudio Abbado.
The orchestra’s operational seat will move to Ferrara, where it will begin annual Spring and Autumn residencies at the Teatro Abbado from 2018, while its legal seat will move to Rome, with RAI-Radiotelevisione Italiana S.p.A becoming its first official Broadcast Partner. These new relationships will add to the orchestra’s continuing Italian presence as part of the Bolzano Festival Bozen.
In addition, the EUYO will:
- establish an office in Brussels following an invitation from the Brussels Philharmonic
- expand its relationship and work with Campus Grafenegg and the Grafenegg Festival in Austria with Grafenegg becoming the EUYO’s Summer home and principal Summer venue partner
The new initiatives follow the 2016 decision by the European Commission to continue to support the EUYO as a cultural ambassador with funding from the Creative Europe programme and are designed to provide the most effective structure, funding, training and performance opportunities for the orchestra.
Marshall Marcus, EUYO Chief Executive, said:
‘Following more than 40 years in London, these new arrangements signal a bold, imaginative and sustainable future for the EUYO at the same time developing the vision and work of the EUYO’s President and Co-Founder, Joy Bryer OBE. Our thanks go to everyone who has made this possible and, in particular, Dario Franceschini, Italian Minister of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism.’
Vasily Petrenko, EUYO Chief Conductor, said:
‘The EUYO is a vital cultural and political resource for Europe and for the EU and I am delighted that the orchestra’s long-term stability has now been effected and that the orchestra’s artistic profile continues to grow and develop in partnership with friends and colleagues in Italy and beyond. It is a great pleasure to be part of the EUYO team and I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has worked together to create these new collaborations and look forward to many more wonderful musical experiences at the head of this inspiring and important institution.’
Sir John Tusa and Ian Stoutzker CBE, Co-Chairmen of the EUYO, said:
‘We are delighted by the new agreement with the Italian government and the City of Ferrara. This is a major endorsement of the achievements and potential of the EUYO as practical evidence of Europe in action. Combined with our recent agreement with Grafenegg in Lower Austria, constantly underpinned by core funding from the EU, the orchestra can look forward to a positive and secure future. This is a good day for musical and cultural cooperation in Europe. We are grateful to all parties for their vote of confidence in the European Union Youth Orchestra.’
Header photo: EUYO 2016 © Simon van Boxtel
