Orpheum Foundation for the Advancement of Young Soloists
The Orpheum Foundation for the Advancement of Young Soloists is a Swiss foundation of international orientation based in Zurich. Its purpose is to encourage budding soloists in the field of classical music.
Activities
The Orpheum Foundation for the Advancement of Young Soloists promotes, documents and publicises the artistic work of young, highly talented musicians from the field of classical music. At the International Orpheum Music Festival for the Advancement of Young Soloists, held every two years in Zurich and Basel, the selected artists are given the opportunity to perform concerts with well-known conductors and orchestras both to an audience and to expert groups, thereby gaining experience at the highest professional level and building up important relationships. Decisions about inclusion in the Orpheum Advancement Programme are taken by the Artistic Director, on the basis of recommendations by mentors who are associated with the foundation.
Requirements
18 to 25 years old, 30 at the most, independent of origin and religious affiliation, high level of virtuosity, artistic maturity, personality, career ambition as a soloist. Note: Orpheum is not a competition and does not award any grants.
History
The Orpheum Foundation for the Advancement of Young Soloists was created in Zurich on 21 February 1990 by entrepreneurs with an awareness of culture, under the leadership of Dr. Hans HeinrichConinx. Financial provision for the foundation was from the start structured on a purely private-sector basis. The motive for creating the foundation was the realisation that, even after winning a competition, it is extremely hard for young, highly talented musicians to gain entry into international musical life by their own efforts. It is at this point that the Orpheum Foundation steps in, by making it possible for the budding soloists to perform concerts with prominent orchestras and conductors. Against this background, the first festival took place in Bad Ragaz in 1991. Since 1994 a festival under the name International Orpheum Music Festival for the Advancement of Young Soloists has taken place in Zurich every two years, and since 2002 with a concert in Basel. Between these events, various follow-up promotional activities are carried out in Switzerland and abroad.
