{{Use British English|date=November 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}} {{short description|British orchestra}} '''Sinfonia Viva''' is a British orchestra based in Derby, England. It gives concerts in a number of cities and venues, including the following: * Cleethorpes (Meridian Park) * Derby (Cathedral, and the annual open-air concert in Darley Park) * Grimsby * Hereford (The Courtyard) * Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire (Palace Theatre) * Nottingham (Royal Concert Hall) * Pakefield * Stamford (Stamford Arts Centre)
==History== Malcolm Nabarro founded the orchestra in 1982 as the ''East of England Orchestra'' in Nottingham, and served as its first artistic director through 1995. Peter Helps then became chief executive of the orchestra in 1995. In that year, the orchestra moved its residence from Nottingham to Derby, specifically to the Beaufort Business Centre. In 1996, Nicholas Kok became principal conductor of the orchestra.
The orchestra changed its name to ''Sinfonia Viva'' in 2000.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/World-premiere-performance-helps-Derby-orchestra-firmly-spotlight/article-3208816-detail/article.html | title=World premiere performance helps put Derby orchestra firmly in the spotlight | work=Derby Telegraph | date=2011-02-10 | accessdate=2011-03-06}}</ref> Kok stood down as Sinfonia Viva's principal conductor in 2006, and then became the orchestra's principal guest conductor. André de Ridder became principal conductor of sinfonia Viva in 2007, with an initial contract of 3 years. In September 2010, the orchestra extended his contract through 2012.<ref>{{cite press release | url=http://www.vivaorch.co.uk/newsreviews-2010-sept1.shtml | title=Principal Conductor reaffirms commitment to sinfonia Viva | publisher=sinfonia Viva | date=13 September 2010 | accessdate=2011-03-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/Conductor-extends-contract-impressive-orchestra-2012/article-2728905-detail/article.html | title=Conductor extends contract at 'impressive' orchestra to 2012 | work=Derby Telegraph | author=Nigel Powlson | date=2011-02-11 | accessdate=2011-03-06}}</ref> de Ridder concluded his tenure with sinfonia Viva after the 2011–2012 season.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/Conductor-Andr-eacute-set-say-goodbye-Viva/story-15010273-detail/story.html | title=Conductor André set to say goodbye to Viva with typically classic performance | work=Derby Telegraph | date=2012-01-23 | accessdate=2012-01-29}}</ref> In September 2014, Sinfonia Viva announced the appointment of Duncan Ward as its next principal conductor, effective in January 2015, for an initial contract of 2 years.<ref>{{cite press release | url=http://www.vivaorch.co.uk/news-reviews/new-principal-conductor/ | title=Rising Star Takes Up the Baton With Sinfonia Viva | publisher=Sinfonia Viva | date=17 September 2014 | accessdate=2014-11-05}}</ref> Ward concluded his tenure on 29 November 2017.<ref>{{cite press release | url=http://www.askonasholt.co.uk/duncan-ward-conducts-final-concert-principal-conductor-sinfonia-viva/ | title=Duncan Ward conducts his final concert as Principal Conductor of Sinfonia Viva | publisher=Askonas Holt | date=29 November 2017 | accessdate=2017-12-20}}</ref> In January 2018, the orchestra announced the appointment of Frank Zielhorst as its new principal conductor, with immediate effect.<ref>{{cite press release | url=http://www.vivaorch.co.uk/news-reviews/frank-zielhorst/ | title=Meet the new Principal Conductor of Sinfonia Viva, Frank Zielhorst | publisher=Sinfonia Viva | date=11 January 2018 | accessdate=2018-05-20}}</ref>
The orchestra appointed its first resident composer, Anna Meredith, as part of the Royal Philharmonic Society's 'Composer in the House' scheme, in December 2009.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/Composer-Anna-spend-years-Viva/article-1638575-detail/article.html | title=Composer Anna to spend two years with Viva | work=Derby Telegraph | author=Helen Meynell | date=2009-12-24 | accessdate=2011-03-06}}</ref> She formally began her work with Sinfonia Viva in January 2010, and continued in the post through 2012.<ref>{{cite press release | url=http://www.vivaorch.co.uk/cith-pressrelease-dec2009.shtml | title=Anna Meredith appointed RPS/PRS for Music Foundation Composer in the House at Sinfonia Viva 2010-2012 | publisher=Sinfonia Viva | date=December 2009 | accessdate=2011-03-06}}</ref>
Peter Helps retired as chief executive in 2021.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www.sinfoniaviva.co.uk/news/news-sinfonia-viva-chief-executive-announces-retirement | title=Sinfonia Viva Chief Executive Announces Retirement | publisher=Sinfonia Viva | date=18 February 2021 | accessdate=2022-02-04}}</ref> In October 2021, the orchestra announced the appointment of Lucy Galliard as its next chief executive, effective January 2022.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.artsderbyshire.org.uk/news/artists-and-arts-organisations/sinfonia-viva-announces-lucy-galliard-as-new-chief-executive/ | title=Sinfonia Viva Announces Lucy Galliard As New Chief Executive | work=Arts Derbyshire | author= | date=2021-10-18 | accessdate=2022-02-04}}</ref>
Outside of conventional classical music, Sinfonia Viva made its first London appearance in May 2009 at King's Place, as part of the "East Meets West Festival", in collaboration with the Indian violinist Kala Ramnath.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/Orchestra-ready-classic-makes-bow-capital/article-1013433-detail/article.html | title=Orchestra ready for classic as it makes bow in capital | work=Derby Telegraph | author=Nigel Powlson | date=2009-05-22 | accessdate=2011-03-06}}</ref> The orchestra has also worked with the group Gorillaz on their 2010 album ''Plastic Beach''.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/Andr-helps-Viva-reach-new-heights/article-3213350-detail/article.html | title=André helps Viva to reach new heights | work=Derby Telegraph | date=2011-02-11 | accessdate=2011-03-06}}</ref>
==Principal conductors== * Malcolm Nabarro (1982–1995) (Artistic Director, East of England Orchestra) * Nicholas Kok (1996–2006) * André de Ridder (2007–2012) * Duncan Ward (2015–2017) * Frank Zielhorst (2018–present)
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.vivaorch.co.uk/ Official Sinfonia Viva home page]
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Category:English orchestras Category:Musical groups from Derby Category:Musical groups established in 1982 Category:1982 establishments in England Category:Culture in Derby