Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra
The Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra, the resident summer orchestra of the Chautauqua Institution in western New York State. Founded in 1929, the ensemble plays concerts on most Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday nights throughout the Institution's nine-week summer season. The CSO draws its members principally from US professional orchestras. Nearly all of its violinists, as well as one violist, are concertmasters of their home orchestras, demonstrating the caliber of musicians that come to play in this professional summer orchestra. Some of the musicians have been playing with the CSO for more than 45 years. In addition to standard concerts, the CSO also accompanies programs with the Chautauqua Ballet Company and the Chautauqua Opera Young Artists.
Albert Stoessel was the first music director of the orchestra, from 1929 through his death in 1943. Rossen Milanov was hired in 2015 as Music director and signed a contract for 5 years.
Music directors
- Albert Stoessel (1929-1943)
- Franco Autori (1943-1953)
- Walter Hendl (1953-1972)
- Sergiu Comissiona (1977-1980)
- Varujan Kojian (1980-1984)
- Joseph Silverstein (1986-1990)
- Uri Segal (1990-2007)
- Stefan Sanderling (2007-2010)
- Rossen Milanov (2015- )