Founded and supervised by the Chang Yung-Fa Foundation, the Evergreen Symphony Orchestra (ESO) is exceptional in being the only professional orchestra in Taiwan overseen by a private foundation, and one of but a few of its kind on the international stage. Young and energetic, full of team spirit and discipline, and characterized by outstanding professionalism and a unique style, the ESO’s mission is to offer the public superior performances of classical music by training and employing local talent. We are devoted to fostering young musicians and cultivating an environment and outlook that is both rooted in Taiwan and open to the world, an aspiration that is amply reflected in our musical repertoire.
In 2001, the Chang Yung-Fa Foundation invited a number of Chinese musicians and eminent international arts consultants to help form the Evergreen Orchestra, which initially consisted of 20 members. This was expanded to a full-blown symphony orchestra with 71 members in 2002: the Evergreen Symphony Orchestra (ESO). Its first two music directors were Kek-tjiang Lim (2002-2004) and Ya-hui Wang (2004-2007). From 2007 to 2023, the post of music director and chief conductor held by Prof. Gernot Schmalfuss, former guest conductor of the Munich Chamber Orchestra, the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra.
Since 2004, the ESO had begun its performances outside Taiwan including performances in Singapore, Muar (Malaysia), Tokyo, Seoul, Pusan, Geoje, Arendal (Norway), London, Los Angeles, Trieste, Ravenna, Ravello (Italy), Sydney, Brisbane, Shanghai, Beijing, Xiamen, Foshan, Wuhan, Changsha, Ningbo, Hechuan, Luzhou, Zigong, Chengdu, Chongqing, Qijiang, Nanjing, Liyang, Tianjin and Macau. In 2010, the ESO gave special performances at the Shanghai Expo. In September 2011 and June 2013, Samsung Heavy Industries twice invited the ESO to Seoul and Busan in South Korea for performances. In June 2012, the ESO performed at Italy’s two most famous musical events—the Ravenna Festival and the Ravello Festival. In July 2015 the ESO was invited to perform at the Sydney Opera House and the Brisbane City Hall. In 2014 and 2016, the National Centre for the Performing Arts twice invited the ESO to Beijing for the 4th and 5th China Orchestra Festival. In September 2018, the ESO was invited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Evergreen Group to perform in Taipei, Beijing, Ningbo, and Shanghai. In September 2019, the ESO performed at the Saigon Opera House and Hanoi Opera House in the Vietnam. In May 2024, the ESO performed at the Thailand Cultural Centre in the Bangkok.
Clearly, the ESO is taking Taiwan to the world, following in the footsteps of the Evergreen Group, whose EVA Air and Evergreen Lines have blazed many trails for linking up our island of Taiwan with the rest of the world. The ESO will continue to export Taiwan’s music and culture to every corner of the global village.
