Holland Symfonia

The Holland Symfonia, now called Het Balletorkest, was a Dutch symphony orchestra, based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The term "Symfonia" derives from an amalgam of the Dutch word symfonie and the Italian word sinfonia. The orchestra had administrative offices in both Haarlem and Amsterdam.

The Holland Symfonia was established on 1 January 2002 after a merger of the Dutch National Ballet Orchestra and the North Holland Philharmonic Orchestra. The orchestra primarily gave symphonic concerts at the Philharmonie Haarlem, and continued as the principal orchestra for Dutch National Ballet at the Dutch National Opera & Ballet in Amsterdam. The orchestra also accompanied touring opera productions in various cities by the Nederlandse Reisopera. The orchestra numbered about 120 regular players, but due to major cuts in subsidies this number was reduced to 45 in 2013.

In addition to its symphonic concerts in its home base city of Amsterdam, the orchestra performed in several other Dutch cities such as Alkmaar, Haarlem, Leiden, and Hoorn. It also collaborated in ballet/dance productions in many cities.

Roy Goodman was named the orchestra's first chief conductor in December 2003, and held the post from 2004 to 2006. From 2007 to 2012 Otto Tausk was chief conductor of the orchestra. Since the 2006-2007 season, Boris Gruzin has been principal guest conductor.

In 2014 the orchestra was renamed Het Balletorkest, symbolizing its reduced tasks. It is now primarily the ballet orchestra for the Dutch National Opera & Ballet. Chief conductor is Matthew Rowe.

The orchestra has commercially recorded for the Cobra label, including the CD "Dutch Sessions".

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