The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1936 by Bronislaw Huberman and the inaugural concert, in 1936, was conducted by Arturo Toscanini. The IPO plays in subscription series, special annotated Youth Concert Series, concerts as part of the “Arts for the People” project throughout Israel, and special concerts for IDF soldiers. The IPO annually tours the world’s cultural centres and its prestigious festivals. Israel’s creative artists are promoted by many IPO premieres of their works. The IPO also contributes to the absorption of new immigrants and includes in its ranks many new immigrant musicians. The Orchestra has hosted most of the world’s greatest conductors and soloists, and it also does much to develop Israeli artists and young talents from Israel and abroad. In 1968 Maestro Zubin Mehta was appointed Music Advisor to the IPO and in 1977 he became its Music Director. In 2018, the appointment of Lahav Shani as its next music director was announced. The IPO entered the digital age when it launched live broadcasts on its website during its 75th birthday celebrations. The site also serves as a platform for tour blogs, interviews with musicians, online ticket sales and a flow of general information for subscribers and concertgoers.