Polish Baltic Philharmonic

Gdańsk, Poland

Polish Baltic F.Chopin Philharmonic in Gdańsk was founded in 1945 as Gdańsk Symphony Orchestra. The inaugural concert took place on September 29 in Sopot. In 1949 it changed its name to Polish Baltic Philharmonic. In 1953 it was combined with opera department and changed into Polish Baltic Opera and Philharmonic (POiFB). After forming a new symphony orchestra in 1974, Baltic Philharmonic was transformed into independent Polish Baltic F.Chopin Philharmonic in 1993. Prof. Roman Perucki, the artistic director of Polish Baltic F.Chopin Philharmonic in Gdańsk, is a well-known organ virtuoso as well as the winner of numerous international prizes. He performs all over the world and is considered to be the founder of the International Organ Music Festival at the Oliwa Cathedral, which is Poland's oldest festival of its kind. In September 2008, Kai Bumann became the new artistic director of the F.Chopin Baltic Philharmonic. Berlin -born Kai Bumann the Artistic Director, was previously the artistic director of the Kraków Opera during the 1997/1998 season.