The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, formerly known as the Royal Flemish Philharmonic, is a classical music ensemble based in Antwerp, Belgium. The orchestra was founded in 1955 by the Flemish Radio and Television Broadcasting Company (VRT) as the BRT Philharmonic Orchestra. It was later renamed the Flemish Radio Orchestra and then the Royal Flemish Philharmonic before adopting its current name in 2017. The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra has a rich history of performing classical music, including symphonies, operas, and chamber music. The orchestra has collaborated with many renowned conductors and soloists, including Sir Simon Rattle, Philippe Herreweghe, and Janine Jansen. The orchestra's current music director is Elim Chan, who was appointed in 2019. Chan is the first female conductor to hold the position and has brought a fresh perspective to the orchestra's performances. She has conducted the orchestra in a variety of works, including Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 and Mahler's Symphony No. 1. The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra has a core of around 90 musicians, including strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. The orchestra also has a youth orchestra, the Antwerp Symphony Youth Orchestra, which provides young musicians with the opportunity to perform with a professional orchestra. One of the highlights of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra's history was its performance at the opening ceremony of the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. The orchestra performed the Olympic Hymn, composed by Spyridon Samaras, and the Olympic Fanfare and Theme, composed by John Williams. The orchestra has also received numerous awards and accolades for its performances. In 2010, the orchestra won the Klara Award for Best Orchestra, presented by the Flemish classical music radio station Klara. The orchestra has also been nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Orchestral Performance for its recording of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 10 with conductor Andris Nelsons. In addition to its regular concert series in Antwerp, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra has performed at many prestigious venues and festivals around the world. The orchestra has performed at the BBC Proms in London, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and the Salzburg Festival in Austria. The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra has also recorded extensively, with over 100 recordings to its name. The orchestra has recorded works by a wide range of composers, including Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and Stravinsky. Overall, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra has established itself as one of the leading classical music ensembles in Europe. With its talented musicians, world-class conductors, and impressive repertoire, the orchestra continues to delight audiences around the world with its performances.

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