70 Years of Excellence

The Brazilian Symphony Orchestra (OSB), based in the city of Rio de Janeiro, is the most traditional symphonic institution in Brazil and one of the most prestigious orchestras in .

OSB is a private foundation sponsored by the Federal Government, the Government of the City of Rio de Janeiro, the National Bank of Economic and Social Development (BNDES), Vale Mining Company, and a group of private investors.

Founded in 1940 by a small group of local music professors who were inspired by and the NBC Symphony Orchestra tour to Brazil, the OSB celebrated its 70th Anniversary in 2010.

From its inception to the present day, OSB is recognized as one of Brazil’s foremost cultural institutions. It was the first orchestra in Brazil to: tour domestically and internationally; commission and premier Brazilian composers’ works; develop educational programs; reveal national talents such as Nelson Freire, Arnaldo Cohen and Antonio Meneses; and bring its audiences the greatest names in music of all time, including, , , , , Kurt Sanderling, Claudio Arrau, Salvatore Accardo, , Jean Pierre Rampal and Jose Carreras.

Embracing a broad spectrum of music, from Baroque to Contemporary, the OSB performance season runs from March to December which includes six subscription series in Rio de Janeiro, the Sapphire series in Sao Paulo, and domestic and international tours. In addition to its series in concert halls, OSB continues to be committed to bringing music to communities and neighborhoods throughout Brazil,

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performing free programs in theaters, alternative locations and outdoors for very large audiences.

In 2005, Roberto Minczuk was named Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the OSB and he also serves as Artistic Director of Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s renowned opera house, and Music Director of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra in Canada. Mr. Minczuk is a graduate of the Juilliard School, has won many prestigious awards and prizes including a Martin E. Seagal Award, a Grammy and an Emmy. He has conducted over 80 orchestras in the United States, Canada and Europe and was Associate Conductor of the in the 2002-03 season.

Mr. Minczuk continues to lead the OSB in seeking musical excellence. He has enhanced the orchestra season; created programs to develop new audiences and brought to Brazil such outstanding musicians as Joshua Bell, Ivo Pogorelich, Menahem Pressler, Kathleen Battle, Dame . In addition, he has assisted and guided the development of the Youth OSB and has created the OSB Children’s Choir encouraging a new generation of musicians and building the future of music in Brazil.

OSB is currently preparing for the 2011 season. They are proud to announce that they will soon move to a new cultural complex in Rio de Janeiro, Cidade da Música, designed by Christian de Portzamparc. In the coming seasons the orchestra’s programs will include tours in Latin American and Asia as well as compilations recording of traditional symphonic repertoire with emphasis in Brazilian classical music.

Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira

www.osb.com.br

Av Rio Branco, 135 | Salas 915 a 920 Rio de Janeiro RJ | 20040-006 | Brazil Tel (xx55-21) 2142-5800/ Fax (xx55-21) 2142-5844

© Fundação Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira. Todos os direitos reservados.

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