In 2023, our Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra commemorates 65 years of an invaluable musical endeavor of quality and relevance for our people. It was founded by a group of significant figures in our culture, led by maestro Pablo Casals and Ernesto Ramos Antonini. An organization like our Symphony was conceived as a lasting legacy for the people of Puerto Rico to govern our musical and cultural offerings on the international and Puerto Rican classical stage. Over the decades, we have demonstrated from our organization how valuable the contribution of our Orchestra has been to the cultural landscape of Puerto Rico. Maestro Pablo Casals said, "Every well-developed country has its Symphony Orchestra." 

In this spirit, we present a musical program for our new season that reflects our capabilities, aspirations, and solidarity with Puerto Rican society. Our commitment is to develop a musical culture that extends opportunities to our present and future generations to experience the best of our institution, highlighting Puerto Rican talent both on the island and internationally. Composers, soloists, conductors, and many others have contributed to our more than six decades of cultural responsibility through music in Puerto Rico and internationally, visiting over 11 international destinations in our first ten years of existence.

We have an honorable trajectory under the guidance of ten prestigious international conductors, with whom the Symphony Orchestra of Puerto Rico has grown as the ultimate musical representation of our country. We persist in advancing our musical proposals and supporting music education in our country to continue strengthening the development of our people through artistic activity. Welcome to this anniversary, which marks the beginning of a new chapter for our foremost musical institution: the Symphony Orchestra of Puerto Rico.

Through its offerings and initiatives, the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra aims to promote our society's disposition and inclination towards musical arts through the high quality of musical interpretation it pursues. Despite its origins with a majority of foreign musicians, over the years, its transition to a public corporation, organizational efforts in professional musical training and socio-musical programs in our communities, and the creation of a cultural consumption offer, the Symphony Orchestra has become a high-caliber musical incubator, currently comprising 98 percent Puerto Rican musicians. 

Let us all celebrate our 65th anniversary with an extraordinary season where the majesty of our Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra will be enjoyed!

Warm regards,

Melissa M. Santana, MBA