Athens Camerata Orchestra Disbanded Amid Unpaid Debts

After years of financial troubles, which began during the Greek economic crisis, the Athens Camerata Classical Orchestra has been disbanded due to unpaid debts, according to government reports. Culture Minister Lina Mendoni informed Parliament on Monday that the orchestra’s musicians and administrative staff can apply for transfers to other state cultural institutions.

“The Camerata was a very important orchestra... it is a brand that we will reactivate. But the liquidation had to be carried out,” the minister said, as reported by Asharq Al-Awsat.

The orchestra, founded in 1991, reached its peak under the direction of famed English conductor Sir Neville Mariner. It performed at some of the world’s top venues and festivals, including Queen Elizabeth Hall (London), Theatre des Champs-Elysees (Paris), the Innsbruck Summer Festival, the Naantali Festival of Finland, the Warsaw Autumn Festival, and the Printemps des Arts 2011 festival in Angers. The orchestra also participated in Beijing’s Cultural Year of Greece in China.