Symphonia of Auckland

The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (APO) is a symphony orchestra based in Auckland, New Zealand. Its principal concert venue is the Auckland Town Hall. The APO is the accompanying ensemble for performances by the NBR New Zealand Opera and the Royal New Zealand Ballet in Auckland. The APO's patrons are Dame Catherine Tizard, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Sir James Wallace, Dame Rosanne Meo and Vice Patron Dame Jenny Gibbs.

In 1980, 19 musicians of the collapsed Symphonia of Auckland founded a new cooperatively run orchestra under the legal entity of the Auckland Philharmonia Society Inc. This was made possible by a local business man Olly Newland, who, at some financial risk to himself, held what assets remained of the Symphonia, and organised several public rallies to garner support. He continued to serve on the Board of Management for some years afterwards. From 1980 to 2005, the Auckland Philharmonia Society focused on artistic management of the orchestra, and delegated financial responsibility to a Board of Advisors and Management. In 2005, a structural change in the organisation produced two principal stakeholders, the Auckland Philharmonia Society and the Auckland Philharmonia Foundation. The Society concentrates on artistic and operational functions, whilst the Foundation focuses on management of the APO's capital assets fund.

John Hopkins was principal conductor of the APO for 8 years. Other conductors who have worked as artistic advisors to the APO include Edvard Tchivzhel, Vladimir Verbitsky and Enrique Diemecke. Miguel Harth-Bedoya was music director of the APO from 1998 to 2005. From 2009 until 2015, the orchestra's Music Director was Eckehard Stier. In February 2015, the APO announced the appointment of Giordano Bellincampi as its next music director, effective in 2016, with an initial contract of 3 years. Other affiliated APO conductors have included Roy Goodman, principal guest conductor from 2009 to 2011.

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