Orchestra Of The Gulbenkian Fundation, Lisboa

The Gulbenkian Orchestra (Portuguese: Orquestra Gulbenkian) is a Portuguese symphony orchestra based in Lisbon. The orchestra primarily gives concerts at the Grande Auditório (Grand Auditorium) of the Gulbenkian Foundation. The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation founded the orchestra in 1962 as the Orquestra de Câmara Gulbenkian (Gulbenkian Chamber Orchestra), consisting of 12 musicians. The ensemble subsequently expanded in size and took on its current name in 1971. The orchestra currently has 66 permanent musicians. Since 2002, the orchestra's principal conductor is Lawrence Foster. He is scheduled to conclude his Gulbenkian tenure in 2013. In September 2012, the orchestra announced the appointment of Paul McCreesh as its next principal conductor and artistic adviser,[1] with an initial contract of 4 years.[2] Claudio Scimone, the orchestra's principal conductor from 1979 to 1986, now has the title of Honorary Conductor with the orchestra. The orchestra's current principal guest conductor is Joana Carneiro. The orchestra made its American debut in November 1997 in Newark, New Jersey.[3][4] The orchestra has commercially recorded for several labels, including Teldec[5] and Virgin Classics.[6]