ViVA
ViVA is the East Midlands’ own orchestra. It is first and foremost a classical chamber orchestra that has evolved into a music-making Company of quality, diversity and energy.
Founded in 1982, ViVA is the only professional orchestra native to the East Midlands, providing classical concerts and outreach activities that make live orchestral music accessible to all.
Under the leadership since 1996 of Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor Nicholas Kok, ViVA has gained national recognition for its integrated approach to concert giving, outreach and audience development, performing in a wide range of venues, from established concert halls to leisure centres.
The Orchestra participates regularly in the main concert series of the region and has a busy schedule of outdoor summer concerts. Smaller chamber groups from within the Orchestra provide access to classical music for many communities in more rural areas.
ViVA runs an innovative and diverse education and outreach programme, with new works often being 'devised' by local people working with specialist composers and ViVA musicians.
In August 2004, ViVA performed two concerts in Berlin's Konzerthaus, its first performances outside England, in a tour supported by McKinsey & Company Incorporated. ViVA made its BBC Radio 3 debut in October 2004 with a concert broadcast as part of the Listen Up! Festival of Orchestras.
Find out more at www.vivaorch.co.uk
Conductor – Richard Laing
ViVA will be conducted for the Classical Friction performance by Richard Laing.
Richard studied the violin with Peter Schaffer and Richard Ireland at the University of Illinois and the Royal Northern College of Music. In 2001 he won the sinfonia ViVA Conducting Scholarship, enabling him to study conducting at the Birmingham Conservatoire with Andrew Mogrelia.
He graduated with a Master's degree, a postgraduate diploma in conducting, and the Conservatoire's Postgraduate Prize for the most outstanding contribution to the musical life of the college. Subsequently he studied intensively with Diego Masson at Dartington.
Richard’s recent experiences on the podium include ‘The Dream of Gerontius’ in Guildford Cathedral and conducting sinfonia ViVA at the Lichfield Festival. He has conducted in France, Italy and Spain, and this year will make his German and Czech debuts. Operatic work includes Adrian Cruft’s ‘Dr Syn’ for Kent Opera and ‘La Traviata’ and ‘La Bohème’ for Dartington Festival Opera.
He is Musical Director of Operamus, Birmingham Youth Opera, the Leicester Bach Choir and the Midlands Chorale.
As principal second violin with Sinfonia Cymru, Richard has recently performed around the country with Bryn Terfel and recorded ‘The Messiah’ for television. He gives frequent solo and chamber music performances; has premiered many new works; and has presented papers at several major international conferences on opera and on film in Australia and America.