Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra
About Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra
Under the musical direction of Richard Egarr since 2020, Philharmonia is recognized as “America’s leading historically informed ensemble” (The New York Times). Using authentic instruments and stylistic conventions from early Baroque to late Romantic periods as well as commissioned new works, the orchestra engages audiences through its signature Bay Area series, national tours, recordings, commissions, and education projects of the highest caliber. Founded 41 years ago by Laurette Goldberg and led by Nicholas McGegan for 35 years, the ensemble is the largest of its kind in the United States. PBO’s musicians are leaders in historical performance and serve on the faculties of The Juilliard School, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Harvard, and Stanford. PBO welcomes eminent guest artists including mezzo-sopranos Susan Graham and Anne Sofie von Otter, countertenors Anthony Roth Costanzo and Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, violoncellist Steven Isserlis, and maestros Jonathan Cohen and Jeannette Sorrell. PBO enjoys longstanding relationships with preeminent artistic collaborators including Mark Morris Dance Group, The Juilliard School, and the American Modern Opera Company (AMOC). In collaboration with Cal Performances in 2017, PBO produced its first fully-staged opera, Rameau’s Le Temple de la Gloire, and also produced a fully-staged production of Handel’s Aci, Galatea e Polifemo with stage director Christopher Alden in January 2020. Among the most recorded orchestras in the world, PBO boasts a discography of nearly 50 recordings, including a coveted archival performance of mezzo-soprano Lorraine Hunt Lieberson in Berlioz’s Les Nuits D’été, and a GRAMMY®- nominated recording of Haydn symphonies. The orchestra released the world premiere recording of the original version of Rameau’s Le Temple de la Gloire with the unedited libretto by Voltaire in 2018. In April of 2020, PBO released three recordings: a full collection of commissioned works by Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw, a selection of arias sung by rising star contralto Avery Amereau, and a digital release of Handel’s Saul featuring acclaimed countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen. PBO produced and broadcast more than 112 virtual programs during the pandemic and recently named Davóne Tines as Creative Partner and Tarik O’Regan as Composer in Residence.
