Royal Northern Sinfonia

Founded in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1958 and based in Gateshead since 2004, Royal Northern Sinfonia occupies a special place in the British classical scene as a permanent chamber orchestra born outside London. Long known as Northern Sinfonia before receiving the royal appellation in 2013, the ensemble develops a repertoire focused on classical and Romantic music, with regular attention paid to contemporary creation and vocal projects. Royal Northern Sinfonia first performed mainly at Newcastle City Hall, then took up residence at the Glasshouse International Centre for Music, which today structures a large part of its activity. Over the decades, its identity has been built around a flexible format, suited to both expanded chamber works and smaller-scale orchestral scores. Several conductors have marked its path, among them Christopher Seaman, Richard Hickox, Heinrich Schiff, Thomas Zehetmair, Lars Vogt and, since 2021, Dinis Sousa, principal conductor. The orchestra performs regularly in the United Kingdom, notably at the BBC Proms, and has also undertaken international tours, particularly in Asia. Its discography includes recordings for various labels, including NMC and Naxos, reflecting work shared between the grand repertoire, rediscoveries and music of its time.