The Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra (Lithuanian: Lietuvos valstybinis simfoninis orkestras or LVSO) is one of Lithuania's two national orchestras, founded in 1988. The other, the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra (LNSO, Lietuvos nacionalinis simfoninis orkestras) was founded in 1940.[1]
The orchestra began as a group of young musicians led by Gintaras Rinkevičius in 1988, which gave its first concert on January 30, 1989.[2] Current conductors include Vytautas Lukočius and Martynas Staškus. The orchestra staged over a dozen operas, starting with Richard Wagner's The Flying Dutchman directed by Oskaras Koršunovas in 1995. Six other operas were directed by Dalia Ibelhauptaitė.[2]