The Royal Flemish Philharmonic, now named the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, has also been known by several other names. With a diverse repertory absorbed during periods of varied artistic and institutional leadership, the orchestra has attracted conductors of international caliber since the late 1990s and has recorded prolifically.
The Royal Flemish Philharmonic was founded as De Philharmonie in 1955 by musical leaders who envisioned a symphonic counterpart to the city's only major orchestra, the Flemish Opera Orchestra. The new group struggled to gain traction in its early yea...