Nicolas Rauss
Artistic Director
The Universidad de Santiago de Chile Classical Orchestra has a prominent role and prestige nationwide. Since its creation in 1982, it has performed a wide range of works by composers from the most diverse classical music periods, particularly, symphonic Hispanic-American and contemporary music.
It is known for its important participation in symphonic productions with popular music groups, like Inti Illimani and Congreso and also for its work “Víctor Jara Sinfónico” presented at the Teatro Municipal de Santiago in 2013 to commemorate the 40 years since the military coup, and its Film Music Concerts. All these events have been publicly acclaimed.
Its work has been recognized by specialized critics, like the Círculo de Periodistas de la Región de Valparaíso and the Círculo de Críticos de Arte de Chile. Likewise, it has successfully performed in the following activities: Frutillar and Algarrobo Musical Weeks; Summer Concerts at the Quinta Vergara, in Viña del Mar; Rocas de Santo Domingo Musical Gatherings; Midday Concerts at the Teatro Municipal de Santiago; Concert Seasons of Universidad Federico Santa María of Valparaíso, and the National Concert at Palacio La Moneda, among others.
Belfor Ruz, Genaro Burgos, Santiago Meza y David del Pino have been the orchestra’s principal conductors, whose influence can be appreciated in the current level of the orchestra, but it has also been conducted by guest conductors like Rodolfo Saglimbeni, Víctor Hugo Toro and Pablo Saelzer.
The orchestra has recorded four discs: “Cantata rosa de los vientos”, together with Inti Illimani and the University Chorus (1999); “Neruda y Bianchi en canciones” (2006); “Obras Sinfónicas” by the composer and recipient of the National Award of Arts, Miguel Letelier (2010); and “Dos conciertos latinoamericanos: Concierto n°1 para guitarra y orquesta de Antonio Lauro and Concierto Elegíaco de Leo Brouwer”, with the renowned soloist Carlos Pérez (2012).
The orchestra and the chorus have participated in massive events together with renowned international musicians, like composer Ennio Morricone and singer Andrea Bocelli, in their concerts in Chile; in 2013, they also participated in “Tanguería”, a fusion of tango and classic music event, with a repertoire that included from Gardel to Piazzolla.
Since 2013, the orchestra’s principal conductor is Nicolas Rauss (Switzerland), who is in charge of the yearly concert seasons.
