| Biography | The RTÉ Concert Orchestra is one of the two full-time professional orchestras in Ireland that are part of RTÉ, the national broadcasting station. Since its formation as the Radio Éireann Light Orchestra in 1948, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, has grown from a small studio-based recording group to become an active 45-strong orchestra performing over eighty concerts annually. It is part of RTÉ Performing Groups.
The orchestra performs classical, popular and big band evening and lunchtime concerts, covering a range of music from baroque to contemporary. The period from 2003-2006 saw a particular emphasis on the classical repertoire under the orchestra's then principal conductor Laurent Wagner. In this period the orchestra programmed classical-themed concerts compared to the lighter side that dominated under its previous principal conductor Proinnsias ODuinn from 1978 to 2003, leading to collaboration with comperes such as Des Keogh, presenter of the popular radio programme Music for Middlebrows.
On 12 February 2009 the orchestra joined with Our Lady's Choral Society, Dublin, to perform at the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vatican State celebrations with a performance of 'The Messiah', by Handel in the presence of Pope Benedict XVI. It was the first time this famous work was performed in the Vatican. |