originated from an initiative of Dr Erwin Pröll, Provincial Governor of Lower Austria
The Federal Province of Lower Austria is situated at the heart of a new, united Europe. Its original initiative for cultural integration is a European chamber orchestra – the „Spirit of Europe“– which was established in the year 2004 on the occasion of the greatest-ever enlargement in the history of the European Union.
The orchestra is based in the city of Melk on the Danube and consists of 35 musicians from a number of European countries, chiefly Hungary, the Slovak and Czech Republics, and Austria. The „Spirit of Europe“ orchestra will perform mainly in the EU and at least once a year in the countries and regions of the Near East, particularly those of the Islamic cultural area, as part of the „Dialogue of the Cultures“ event organized by the Provincial Capital of Lower Austria.
The orchestra’s repertoire ranges from the Baroque to works of the 21st century, newly commissioned original works being a regular feature.
The orchestra sees itself as a platform for a link between different sectors of society – culture, politics and the economy. The project is backed by a number of ambassadors, while international enterprises offer the orchestra financial support as sponsors.
