Third Orchestra to open Classical:NEXT

The Third Orchestra is set to open next week’s Classical:NEXT conference in Berlin. The inclusive orchestra will perform alongside the contemporary Zafraan Ensemble and Stegreif Improvising Orchestra as part of the conference’s opening evening on 13 May.

The performance and accompanying seminar follow the orchestra’s recent merger with Berlin’s transcultural Ensemble Extrakte, and its January performance for 500 global arts leaders at New York’s International Society for the Performing Arts.

Third Orchestra founder Peter Wiegold said: ‘This is marvellous opportunity for us to show our work and open a debate about new music-making from a global perspective… Above all, we want to celebrate the joy of difference.’

Taking place in Berlin’s newest concert hall – the Pierre Boulez Saal – the immersive concert will include music created by the Third Orchestra before the group is joined by the Zafraan Ensemble, Stegreif improvising orchestra, members of Zaid Academy, and singers from Komische Oper.

The Third Orchestra is made up of musicians based in London and Berlin. With 50% of its members being Black, Asian and ethnically diverse, the group is also balanced in terms of gender and age, with members ranging from 20-72 years of age. The orchestra has evolved from the work of Club Inégales. Following its creation by composer, music director and performer Peter Wiegold and the late John Cumming, the orchestra made its debut with a Barbican centre residency in February 2019 and relaunched in 2022.