The Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra specialises in historically informed performance of late 18th- to early 20th-century orchestral and chamber music repertoire on period instruments and is at the forefront of the historically informed performance scene, staying abreast with the latest research and developments around the world by collaborating with key guest musicians and musicologists. Under the co-artistic direction of Rachael Beesley and Nicole van Bruggen, the orchestra has been highly praised as “rich, impassioned, and faultlessly realised ... a thrilling example of HIP with all the right strings attached” (The Age, 2018).
Founded under the artistic direction of renowned musician and educator, the late Richard Gill AO, and already a dynamic influence on the Australian music scene, the orchestra’s twin goals of performance and education are delivered through live concerts in Australia’s capital cities and in metropolitan and regional centres, collaborations with guest ensembles, radio broadcasts, innovative education programs, pre-concert presentations and specialist online resources. Bringing together leading Australian and international exponents, the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra brings historical insights and new perspectives to masterpieces from the Classical and Romantic periods.