The European Union Baroque Orchestra (EUBO) is an initiative that allows young performers of Baroque music from the European Union to gain orchestral experience as part of their career development. The aim is to bridge the gap between conservatoire study and a professional career.
As Cultural ambassador for the European Union, EUBO was founded in 1985 in Britain as a major initiative of the European Year of Music to celebrate the 300th anniversary of three great Baroque musicians: Bach, Scarlatti and Handel. Since then, more than 600 musicians have played over 900 concerts in 54 countries worldwide. The training programme also includes further education, performing concerts on international tours and participating in recordings.
While funded by the European Union, the orchestra has performed at many of Europe’s leading music festivals and concert halls including the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, St John’s Smith Square in London, the festivals Bachwoche Ansbach, and specialist early music festivals in Utrecht, York, Brugge, Valletta and London. Outside Europe, EUBO performed in Japan, the USA, South Africa, and has played in Ramallah, the Gaza Strip, Botswana and Soweto.
The activities of the European Union Baroque Orchestra have been at a standstill since 2018/2019 following Brexit. In full agreement with the historic founders and latest managers, Fondazione ICONS set about the resumption of the orchestra’s activities, bringing EUBO to Italy in November 2022. ICONS is an Italian non-profit foundation active in the development of large-scale cultural projects, and a leading organization in scientific communication active in the field of EU-funded projects.
The artistic direction has been entrusted to Mario Martinoli, founder and artistic director of Theresia Orchestra. EUBO is thus part of the philanthropic activities of Fondazione ICONS, a leading player in the management of youth orchestras in Europe.
