Orchestra London Canada

Not to be confused with the London Symphony Orchestra in London, England.

Orchestra London (Canada) was a professional symphony orchestra based in London, Ontario in Canada.

There was a group under the name London Symphony Orchestra performing in London, Ontario in the 1890s. In the 1890s a group of about 41 players performed in London, Ontario, Canada, as the London Symphony Orchestra.[1] This group pre-dated the famous orchestra in London, England with the same name, which was founded in 1904.

The current orchestra was founded by conductor and violinist Bruce Sharpe in 1937 with the name the London Civic Symphony Orchestra. In 1957, with increased numbers of professional players, the orchestra changed its name to the London Symphony Orchestra, but as the orchestra achieved full professional status it adopted the name Orchestra London in 1981 to avoid confusion with the famous London Symphony Orchestra in London, England.[2]

After weeks of speculation, the orchestra ceased operations on December 11, 2014 due to massive budget shortfalls.[3] The musicians of the now bankrupt organization formally filed for bankruptcy on behalf of the orchestra on May 22, 2015.[4] Despite this, the contracted musicians of the ensemble have continued to put on self-produced concerts within the London community.[5]

Initially, former musicians of the ensemble played under the identity, "#WePlayOn". On January 20, 2017, however, the musicians launched their new identity, London Symphonia at a concert at Metropolitan United Church in London, Ontario. The new identity includes a logo change and the launch of a new website, LondonSymphonia.ca.[6] The group has 28 musicians and a concertmaster.[7] The London Symphonia performs with renowned soloists such as violinist James Ehnes and pianist Janina Fialkowska.[8]

  1. ^ https://archive.org/details/cihm_57844/page/n3/mode/2up?view=theater London Symphony Orchestra programme, 11 February 1890, Open Library. Retrieved 130 October 2024
  2. ^ Novak, Barbara; Jane Baldwin; Andres Mcintosh (May 25, 2015). "Orchestra London Canada". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Foundation.
  3. ^ Maloney, Patrick (December 11, 2014). "Symphony locks doors after cancelling weekend shows and, reportedly, dozens set for 2015". The London Free Press.
  4. ^ Maloney, Patrick (May 22, 2015). "Orchestra London can't afford to pay for its own bankruptcy, so its former musicians will cover the cost". The London Free Press. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  5. ^ Cornies, Larry (January 9, 2015). "Besieged orchestra musicians resolve to play on". The London Free Press.
  6. ^ "#WePlayOn Is Now London Symphonia". #WePlayOn. January 21, 2017. Retrieved 2017-10-19.
  7. ^ "Meet the Musicians". London Symphonia. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  8. ^ Janina Fialkowska Plays Chopin.| Janina Fialkowska, retrieved 2024-02-11