Formed in 1986 and originally conceived as a chamber orchestra by its founder Dr Andrew Constantine, the first concerts were given in the University of Leicester. The name Bardi derives from the Italian Count Giovanni Bardi who was associated with new ideas and approaches to the performance of music in the 16th Century. Within just a year the Orchestra had expanded in size to form a full symphony orchestra performing in St James the Greater Church and just four years later saw an orchestra of 132 players performing Mahler’s 6th Symphony in the Orchestra’s current home – De Montfort Hall, Leicester.

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