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The Voronezh Academic Symphony Orchestra , founded in 1925, is one of the oldest ensembles in Russia and a special pride and treasure of the region's musical culture. The orchestra's founder and first principal conductor was renowned Russian violinist and conductor Dmitry Akhsharumov. Since 1972, the symphony orchestra has been led by People's Artist of Russia Vladimir Verbitsky.
The Voronezh Academic Symphony Orchestra participates in major international and national festivals, significant cultural events, and symphony forums both in Russia and abroad. In 1995, for its significant contributions to the development of Russian musical culture, the orchestra was awarded the honorary title of "Academic." In 2002, the ensemble won the 1st All-Russian Radio Competition of Symphony Orchestras, "Orpheus."
A memorable tour event in 2005 was the orchestra's participation in the major international project "Humanism Against Terror," which was awarded a grant from the President of Russia and included more than a dozen concerts in cities across Spain, Poland, and North Ossetia-Alania. Over the years, the orchestra also performed at concert venues in Czechoslovakia, Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Concerts were held in renowned Parisian venues - the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées and the Pleyel - and in Spain's premier concert hall, the Auditorio Nacional de Música in Madrid.
The extensive geography of the Voronezh Academic Symphony Orchestra's touring activities covers leading musical venues in the country and neighboring countries: the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall in Moscow, the Great Hall of the Moscow State Conservatory named after P. I. Tchaikovsky, the Great Hall of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, the concert hall of the State Academic Capella of St. Petersburg, the Great Hall of the Sverdlovsk Philharmonic, the Winter Theatre in Sochi, the Great Hall of the Belarusian State Philharmonic in Minsk, and others.
Renowned instrumental soloists and stars of the world opera scene collaborate with the Voronezh Academic Symphony Orchestra: Eliso Virsaladze, Nikolai Lugansky, Denis Matsuev, Boris Berezovsky, Barry Douglas, David Geringas, Mischa Maisky, Nikita Borisoglebsky, Clara-Jumi Khan, Olga Peretyatko, Anna Netrebko, Hibla Gerzmava, Ildar Abdrazakov, and many others.
In 2025, the Voronezh Academic Symphony Orchestra celebrated its 100th anniversary in grand style. The celebrations began on February 14, 2025, with a reenactment of the commemorative concert held on November 1, 1925, on the stage of the Voronezh Philharmonic. This concert marked the establishment of Voronezh's first professional, independent symphony orchestra. On April 17, as part of the Symphony Academy educational project, a gala concert featuring gifted children from the region was held. On May 17, the "Best of the Best" program was presented as a benefit evening. Undoubtedly, the highlight of the Voronezh Academic Symphony Orchestra's 100th anniversary celebration was the open-air concert "Symphony Night," which took place on June 14 at the Green Theater in Voronezh Central Park. On October 5, the orchestra performed at the Great Hall of the Sverdlovsk Philharmonic in Yekaterinburg as part of the VIII Russian Symphony Forum. From October 6 to 11, the orchestra's extensive tour of Perm, Votkinsk, Izhevsk, and Kazan was a great success. On November 1, the Voronezh Academic Symphony Orchestra's birthday, a large celebratory concert was held. One of the highlights of the anniversary year was the presentation of the "Time of Music" wimmelbuch (gamebook) in collaboration with the Matryoshka Center for Creative Industries on October 21. The anniversary year concluded with a major tour across the People's Republic of China. From December 23, 2025, to January 6, 2026, the musicians performed in seven cities: Jinzhou, Yingkou, Dalian, Mudanjiang, Yingchuan, Xi'an, and Shijiazhuang. The group's performances were attended by a total of over 12,000 spectators. |
