The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) was founded in London in 1946 by conductor Sir Thomas Beecham and has since grown into one of Britain's most prominent symphony orchestras. Based at Cadogan Hall since 2004, it gives around 200 concerts a year and reaches a worldwide live and online audience of over 60 million people. Under Music Director Vasily Petrenko, who took the helm in 2021 and has extended his contract through 2030, the RPO balances the core symphonic repertoire with film scores, pop collaborations and an active community education programme called RPO Resound.
The RPO announced three new artistic appointments for the 2025-26 season: Sir John Rutter as Artist Laureate, Emilia Hoving as Associate Conductor, and Kevin John Edusei as Conductor-in-Residence at Cadogan Hall.
The RPO's 2025-26 London season opened on 24 September at the Royal Albert Hall with a Symphonic Queen programme, spanning 26 concerts across four London venues.
Vasily Petrenko extended his contract as Music Director through to 2030, and Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi was appointed Composer-in-Association.
In autumn 2025, Vasily Petrenko launched a new recording partnership between the RPO and the Harmonia Mundi label, beginning with Elgar's Falstaff and Rachmaninoff's The Bells.
The RPO undertook a special Japan tour with Composer-in-Association Joe Hisaishi, performing at Suntory Hall in Tokyo including Japan premieres of Hisaishi's Harp Concerto and The Boy and the Heron Symphonic Suite.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performs at the renowned Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg.
The prestigious Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performs at the renowned Kölner Philharmonie.
A concert by the prestigious British symphony orchestra Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in Hannover.
Canadian pianist Jan Lisiecki performs alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under Vasily Petrenko in a classical concert at the Alte Oper Frankfurt.
A concert by the prestigious British Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in Düsseldorf.
A concert by the prestigious British Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.