National Symphony Orchestra (Dominican Republic)
Encyclopedia
The National Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic
(Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional) is the leading classical
orchestra
of the Dominican Republic; it was founded in 1941.
Since its beginning in 1904 the Octet turned into an active group, conducted by Maestro José de Jesús Ravelo, which diffused classical music. The support offered to the public was so enthusiastic that before its first year the Octet had been established as a small chamber orchestra (although it always maintained its original name) with a regular program of concerts.
After the disappearance of the Youth Casino in 1922, the Octet turned into the Concert Society Orchestra with headquarters in the Dominican Athenaeum. At the same time, in 1932, the Santo Domingo Symphony Orchestra was formed, conducted by Maestros Enrique Mejia Arredondo and Julio Alberto Hernández.
Emigration, as a consequence of the Spanish Civil War that so decisively influenced culture and arts in both sides of the Atlantic, and specially the arrival in Santo Domingo
of the noteworthy Spanish musician Enrique Casal Chapí were determining factors for the transformation of the Santo Domingo Symphony Orchestra into the National Symphony Orchestra. The recently formed group was composed of musicians from the Concert Society Orchestra, the Army Music Band and the Municipal Band.http://www.sinfonia.org.do/index.php/en_US/orquesta-sinfonica-nacional
After sixty six years and more than 1,700 concerts, the National Symphony Orchestra has been the most representative Dominican musical institution. Its repertoire covers from the most important Baroque and Classic works to pieces from contemporary composers. Symphony music of Dominican composers has occupied a place of exception in its repertoire and the premiering of new works form part of its contribution to the development of Dominican music. In addition, the National Symphony Orchestra plays opera, ballet and zarzuela, in a great part of the annual productions of such genders.
Since its beginning, the National Symphony Orchestra has been integrated by outstanding Dominican musicians, as well as musicians of various nationalities, many of which have made Santo Domingo their home. The most recent history of the Orchestra is intimately linked to the Fundación Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional (Sinfonía). This private non profit organization was founded in 1986 by Pedro Rodriguez Villacañas, who together with his wife Doña Margarita Copello de Rodriguez, actual President, gathered a distinguished group of music lovers with the purpose of helping in the consolidation and increase of the prestige of the National Symphony Orchestra. For more than two decades, “Sinfonía” has done an extraordinary work, always with the support and collaboration of the Dominican Government, together modelling the present and the future of the musical life of the Dominican Republic.http://www.sinfonia.org.do/index.php/en_US/orquesta-sinfonica-nacional
in Santo Domingo.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
(Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional) is the leading classical
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
of the Dominican Republic; it was founded in 1941.
Antecedents
The National Symphony Orchestra was officially created on August 5, 1941. Nevertheless, its history can be traced to the beginning of the 20th century, when under the initiative of Juan Bautista Alfonseca, the Octet of the Youth Casino was founded in Santo Domingo.Since its beginning in 1904 the Octet turned into an active group, conducted by Maestro José de Jesús Ravelo, which diffused classical music. The support offered to the public was so enthusiastic that before its first year the Octet had been established as a small chamber orchestra (although it always maintained its original name) with a regular program of concerts.
After the disappearance of the Youth Casino in 1922, the Octet turned into the Concert Society Orchestra with headquarters in the Dominican Athenaeum. At the same time, in 1932, the Santo Domingo Symphony Orchestra was formed, conducted by Maestros Enrique Mejia Arredondo and Julio Alberto Hernández.
Emigration, as a consequence of the Spanish Civil War that so decisively influenced culture and arts in both sides of the Atlantic, and specially the arrival in Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River...
of the noteworthy Spanish musician Enrique Casal Chapí were determining factors for the transformation of the Santo Domingo Symphony Orchestra into the National Symphony Orchestra. The recently formed group was composed of musicians from the Concert Society Orchestra, the Army Music Band and the Municipal Band.http://www.sinfonia.org.do/index.php/en_US/orquesta-sinfonica-nacional
History of the National Symphony Orchestra
The first conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra was Enrique Casal Chapí (1941–1945) y Enrique Mejía Arredondo, it first assistant conductor. The following have been Principal conductors: Mexican Abel Eisenberg (1946–1951); Italian Roberto Caggiano (1951–1959); Dominicans Manuel Simó (1959–1980), Jacinto Gimbernard (1980–1984), Carlos Piantini (1984–1994), Rafael Villanueva (1994–1995), Julio De Windt (1995–2000); Alvaro Manzano from Ecuador (2001–2004), who occupied the position under the title of Musical Conductor; Carlos Piantini, Principal Laureate Conductor (2001 al 2006); Alvaro Manzano, Music Director (2007–2009). Presidential Decree 245-09 dated March 20, 2009 designates maestro José Antonio Molina as Principal Conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra.After sixty six years and more than 1,700 concerts, the National Symphony Orchestra has been the most representative Dominican musical institution. Its repertoire covers from the most important Baroque and Classic works to pieces from contemporary composers. Symphony music of Dominican composers has occupied a place of exception in its repertoire and the premiering of new works form part of its contribution to the development of Dominican music. In addition, the National Symphony Orchestra plays opera, ballet and zarzuela, in a great part of the annual productions of such genders.
Since its beginning, the National Symphony Orchestra has been integrated by outstanding Dominican musicians, as well as musicians of various nationalities, many of which have made Santo Domingo their home. The most recent history of the Orchestra is intimately linked to the Fundación Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional (Sinfonía). This private non profit organization was founded in 1986 by Pedro Rodriguez Villacañas, who together with his wife Doña Margarita Copello de Rodriguez, actual President, gathered a distinguished group of music lovers with the purpose of helping in the consolidation and increase of the prestige of the National Symphony Orchestra. For more than two decades, “Sinfonía” has done an extraordinary work, always with the support and collaboration of the Dominican Government, together modelling the present and the future of the musical life of the Dominican Republic.http://www.sinfonia.org.do/index.php/en_US/orquesta-sinfonica-nacional
Location
The orchestra performs at the Teatro NacionalTeatro Nacional (Santo Domingo)
The Teatro Nacional is part of the Plaza de la Cultura complex, located in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The theatre is the center piece of the complex and is surrounded by several museums and cultural institutions...
in Santo Domingo.
Music Directors
- Enrique Casal Chapí (1941–45)
- Abel Eisenberg (1946–51)
- Roberto Caggiano (1951–59)
- Manuel Simó (1959–80)
- Jacinto Gimbernard (1980–84)
- Carlos Piantini (1985–94)
- Rafael VillanuevaRafael VillanuevaRafael Villanueva was a Dominican musician born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He attended The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada from 1966 to 1972. He served as principal conductor the Dominican National Symphonic Orchestra from 1994 to 1995. He is the 1978 El Dorado Award...
(1994–95) - Julio de Windt (1996–2000)
- Carlos Piantini (2000-6)
- Philippe EntremontPhilippe EntremontPhilippe Entremont is a French pianist and conductor. He has made many recordings during his career, notably one in 1961 of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1, with Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic....
(2007) - Alvaro Manzano (2007-9)
- Jose Antonio Molinahttp://www.sinfonia.org.do/index.php/en_US/orquesta-sinfonica-nacional/jose-antonio-molina (2009-)
External links
- Website of the orchestra, with outline of its history (in Spanish)http://www.sinfonia.org.do/right51.htm