Budapest Festival Orchestra Opens Classical Series

Following the concert, audience members can join a birthday party for the Orchestra in the Central Bar on Level 2 of the Hall. There will be a specially prepared musical surprise, and the chance to quiz Fischer in an informal open forum.

Fischer founded his unique orchestra 25 years ago, and has remained its music director ever since. He places an emphasis on the individual artistic development of each member of the orchestra, by a programme of intensive rehearsal and by the development of a regular chamber music series alongside the major orchestral concerts. This approach has brought the Orchestra to the forefront of the international music scene. Its concert here in June provoked outstanding critical acclaim (“Outstanding” ***** The Guardian; “an unforgettable experience” ***** Evening Standard).

Shell Classic International continues with partnerships and concerts of a similar calibre, including two visits from Mariss Jansons and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and the return of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Pierre Boulez, perhaps the greatest conductor of contemporary music in the world, brings Ensemble Intercontemporain to Southbank Centre for two centenary concerts for Olivier Messiaen and Elliott Carter; and there is a unique residency with the extraordinary Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela and Gustavo Dudamel in April ’09.

This is the second year that Shell has supported the Shell Classic International season as part of its major sponsorship of Southbank Centre’s Transformation project, which included the reopening of the refurbished Royal Festival Hall in June 2007. As neighbours on the South Bank for over 40 years, Shell shares with Southbank Centre a strong commitment to the regeneration of the area. -- www.southbankcentre.co.uk