We play to transform the world: Sistema Europe Youth Orchestra in Madrid

 Sistema Europe Youth Orchestra with Nicola Benedetti
in Birmingham in 2019 (Photo Ivan Gonzalez)

On  Thursday (14 July 2022), more than 140 young musicians from 17 European countries will take to the stage at the Auditorio Nacional de Música in Madrid as part of Sistema Europe Youth Orchestra (SEYO). The orchestra will be conducted by four conductors, Ron Davis Alvarez, Lara Diloy, José Ángel Salazar, and Jhoanna Sierralta, in a programme of Bach, Sibelius, Holst and Mussorgsky.

The concert is the culmination of the orchestra's sixth Summer residency, taking place in Madrid this year, where 140 young musicians aged between 12 and 20, and their teachers from different parts of the continent all meet up. All are part of programmes in their countries of origin inspired by El Sistema, a learning programme that focuses on generating equal opportunities for children and young people through music.

Since its inception in 2013, Sistema Europe Youth Orchestra has performed around Europe, including the Graffenegg festival, La Scala in Milan, the ancient Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens, and most recently Birmingham’s Symphony Hall and London’s Royal Festival Hall in 2018, with the participation of musicians such as Nicola Benedetti, Jessica Cottis, Joyce DiDonato and Gustavo Dudamel. 

Full details from the Sistema Europe website.