Global Cultural Ambassador
“It is impossible to imagine Israel without its Philharmonic Orchestra.”
–Shimon Peres
The Israel Philharmonic proudly serves as Israel’s greatest cultural ambassador, unifying diverse audiences through shared, transformative artistic experiences and enriching communities with music education programs that transcend borders. The IPO has had a long history of international touring since its founding and has garnered supporters from around the world through these milestone performances and trips, from performances across the Middle East to America, Asia, and beyond.
In its earliest years, the orchestra—then called the Palestine Orchestra—began touring in the 1940s. They traveled to Beirut (via Rosh Hanikra) over land, and to Cairo, Egypt by train. Tours to Egypt continued through 1943, with IPO founder Bronislaw Huberman as soloist, conducted by greats Arturo Toscanini and Bernardino Molinari.
During the 1950s, the orchestra began touring internationally as the Israel Philharmonic, with one of its first stops to the United States. Leonard Bernstein, along with Sergei Koussevitsky and Dmitri Mitropolis, were vital to bringing the IPO to American audiences in 1951, where they were welcomed with messages of support from Albert Einstein, Thomas Mann, and Aaron Copland. This trip was one of the first instances of what is now a long legacy of American philanthropic support for the orchestra.
In 1955, the IPO traveled to the United Kingdom for the first time through the generosity of the Israel Philharmonic Foundation UK. They performed at the Royal Festival Hall and the Royal Albert Hall, with conductors Paul Klecki and Paul Paray, alongside violin soloist Isaac Stern.
Beginning in the 1960s onward to today, the IPO has continued to tour internationally as an ambassador for Israel. They have performed around the world, with groundbreaking performances in India, Spain, China, Poland, Russia, South America, Australia, and more. You can see all these major milestones here.
Most recently in 2022, under Maestro Lahav Shani’s baton, the Israel Philharmonic performed in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, marking the first performance in 74 years of the orchestra in an Arab country—the last being in Cairo, Egypt in 1945. The orchestra opened the concert with Israel’s national anthem, “Hatikvah”—the first performance of the anthem in an Arab country ever.
In its earliest years, the orchestra—then called the Palestine Orchestra—began touring in the 1940s. They traveled to Beirut (via Rosh Hanikra) over land, and to Cairo, Egypt by train. Tours to Egypt continued through 1943, with IPO founder Bronislaw Huberman as soloist, conducted by greats Arturo Toscanini and Bernardino Molinari.
During the 1950s, the orchestra began touring internationally as the Israel Philharmonic, with one of its first stops to the United States. Leonard Bernstein, along with Sergei Koussevitsky and Dmitri Mitropolis, were vital to bringing the IPO to American audiences in 1951, where they were welcomed with messages of support from Albert Einstein, Thomas Mann, and Aaron Copland. This trip was one of the first instances of what is now a long legacy of American philanthropic support for the orchestra.
In 1955, the IPO traveled to the United Kingdom for the first time through the generosity of the Israel Philharmonic Foundation UK. They performed at the Royal Festival Hall and the Royal Albert Hall, with conductors Paul Klecki and Paul Paray, alongside violin soloist Isaac Stern.
Beginning in the 1960s onward to today, the IPO has continued to tour internationally as an ambassador for Israel. They have performed around the world, with groundbreaking performances in India, Spain, China, Poland, Russia, South America, Australia, and more. You can see all these major milestones here.
Most recently in 2022, under Maestro Lahav Shani’s baton, the Israel Philharmonic performed in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, marking the first performance in 74 years of the orchestra in an Arab country—the last being in Cairo, Egypt in 1945. The orchestra opened the concert with Israel’s national anthem, “Hatikvah”—the first performance of the anthem in an Arab country ever.
International Support for the Israel Philharmonic
In addition to American Friends, the IPO has friends around the world that continue to provide vital support for the orchestra. We encourage you to explore their resources should they relate to you and your support.
THE ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC FOUNDATION
CANADIAN FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC
ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC FOUNDATION UK
OTHER ASSOCIATIONS AROUND THE WORLD
