Bardi Symphony Orchestra
“An Orchestra that compares with the best in the capital, on our doorstep in Leicester!”
Formed in 1986, the Bardi Symphony Orchestra is now in its 38th season. Originally conceived as a chamber orchestra by 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 Symphony No. 6 in De Montfort Hall, Leicester.
Music Director of the Bardi Symphony Orchestra is Danish-born Claus Efland. Now in his 16th and final season with the Bardi, he has continued to develop the Orchestra, ‘achieving levels of performance rare in an ensemble of this kind’.
The players in the Orchestra come from an intriguing range of backgrounds. Having studied music to the highest levels many have chosen to pursue careers outside music but relish the opportunity to come together and play at a professional level. Their commitment and achievement have drawn soloists of the highest calibre to perform with them. In recent years the Orchestra has welcomed, amongst others, Natalia Lomeiko, Isata Kanneh-Mason, Katya Apekisheva, Natalie Clein, Tasmin Little, Chloë Hanslip, Tamsin Waley-Cohen and Nikolai Demidenko.
In addition to a range of instrumentalist soloists, the Orchestra has worked with a number of choruses over the 36 years of its history including Leicester Philharmonic Choir, Leicester Bach Choir, London Philharmonic Choir, Leicestershire Chorale and the Choristers of Leicester Cathedral.
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