2022

Management takeover by ICONS

After a period of silence following Brexit and Covid-19, EUBO’s management is taken over by ICONS in continuity with the former leadership. With a new home in Italy, the artistic direction is entrusted to Mario Martinoli. A relaunch project is led by Alfredo Bernardini.

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“In my role as Head of Orchestras at ICONS, I had the pleasure of experiencing first-hand the takeover of EUBO—an ensemble that had thrived for over three decades since its inception in the UK, nurturing young baroque musicians and bringing historically informed performances to audiences worldwide.

ICONS has long been engaged in cultural philanthropy, notably through managing Theresia Orchestra, based on EUBO’s model but focused on Classical repertoire. When EUBO paused in 2018/19 due to Brexit and the pandemic, a clear gap emerged. Demand from musicians and promoters grew, with several suggesting that ICONS consider extending Theresia to include Baroque repertoire.

What began as a playful idea—almost a secret dream—quickly took shape, evolving into a focused and determined ambition. Could ICONS take over the true EUBO? In early 2022, ICONS’ president Mario Martinoli reached out to Paul James, who responded immediately: yes, a takeover was possible. After intense working sessions with the former managers, a revival project in Ravenna in November 2022 was planned, conducted by Alfredo Bernardini and featuring musicians from EUBO’s last generation before the standstill. The project was met with enthusiasm.

In 2023, EUBO resumed full activity with new auditions and the relocation of its musical archive to Italy. The relaunch aimed to preserve EUBO’s identity while integrating it within ICONS’ structure. EUBO remains a residential orchestra centred on intensive residencies. Members are chosen through collaborative audition workshops and take part in around five projects per year. EUBO’s values—artistic excellence, Baroque heritage, intercultural dialogue—remain unchanged. These ideals continue to define EUBO as both an artistic institution and a symbol of European unity. At ICONS, we look back on the relaunch of EUBO with pride: EUBO has the power to build meaningful and lasting connections—not only within the world of period-instrument orchestras by helping young musicians transition seamlessly into the professional early music scene, but far beyond. It stands as a powerful symbol of artistic dialogue and cultural unity, and a testament to how music can help strengthen a shared European identity”.

Susanna Bucher