The Orchestra La Scintilla, which emerged from the Orchestra of Zurich Opera House and specialises in historical performance practice, was established in June 1998. It now performs in all baroque and many classical opera productions at the Opera House. La Scintilla is now 20 years old and is about to strike a new path: the violinist and conductor Riccardo Minasi will be directing the Orchestra La Scinitilla’s concerts from the beginning of the 2018/19 season. Let the sparks continue to fly with Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Corelli and Pergolesi! In the Philharmonia Zurich’s concert series, you will have the Italian pianist Beatrice Rana to look forward to – a 25-year-old high-flyer and winner of major prizes, who will be giving two performances of Beethoven piano concertos under the baton of General Music Director Fabio Luisi. As well as the conductors Daniele Rustioni and Robert Trevino, the British Bernstein specialist Wayne Marshall will be our guest, conducting a concert for Leonard Bernstein’s 100th birthday. The Ensemble Opera Nova under the direction of Hans-Peter Achberger will be paying tribute to the composer György Ligeti, whose Grand Macabre is on this season’s programme, while the charity concert for Cecilia Bartoli’s 30-year stage anniversary promises to be a further highlight of our concert season. Gianluca Capuano, another specialist in the baroque repertoire, will be at the rostrum of La Scintilla for this concert.