Sinfonia ViVA is a British orchestra based in Derby, United Kingdom, a professional orchestra in the East Midlands. Sinfonia ViVA gives concerts in a number of cities and venues, including the following:
Malcolm Nabarro founded the orchestra in 1982 as the East of England Orchestra in Nottingham, and served as its first artistic director through 1995. Peter Helps then became chief executive of the orchestra in 1995. In that year, the orchestra moved its residence from Nottingham to Derby. In 1996, Nicholas Kok became principal conductor of the orchestra. The orchestra changed its name to Sinfonia ViVA in 2000.[1] Kok stood down as sinfonia ViVA's principal conductor in 2006, and then became the orchestra's principal guest conductor. André de Ridder became principal conductor of sinfonia ViVA in 2007, with an initial contract of 3 years. In September 2010, the orchestra extended his contract through 2012.[2] [3]
The orchestra appointed its first resident composer, Anna Meredith, as "Composer in the House" in December 2009.[4] She formally began her work with sinfonia ViVA in January 2010, and is expected to continue in the post through 2012.[5]
Outside of conventional classical music, sinfonia ViVA made its first London appearance in May 2009 at King's Place, as part of the "East Meets West Festival", in collaboration with the Indian violinist Kala Ramnath.[6] The orchestra has also worked with the group Gorillaz on their 2010 album Plastic Beach.[7]