The Orquesta Filarmónica de la UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico's Philharmonic Orchestra, also known as OFUNAM) was founded in 1936 and is the oldest symphonic group in

Mexico City Mexico City ( es, link=no, Ciudad de México, ; abbr.: CDMX; Nahuatl: ''Altepetl Mexico'') is the capital and largest city of Mexico, and the most populous city in North America. One of the world's alpha cities, it is located in the Valley of ...

. It is based at

Sala Nezahuacóyotl Sala or SALA may refer to: Places Europe * Sala, the historical name of the river IJssel and home of the Salii Franks * Sala (Estonian island), one of the Uhtju islands * Sala Baganza, a municipality in Emilia-Romagna, Italy * Sala Bolognese, a ...

at the University City of the

National Autonomous University of Mexico The National Autonomous University of Mexico ( es, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM) is a public research university in Mexico. It is consistently ranked as one of the best universities in Latin America, where it's also the bigge ...

, in Mexico City. It was the first orchestra in Mexico to present annual concert seasons. It has become a tradition that the orchestra presents an annual program of

Mexican symphonic music Mexican may refer to: Mexico and its culture *Being related to, from, or connected to the country of Mexico, in North America ** People *** Mexicans, inhabitants of the country Mexico and their descendants *** Mexica, ancient indigenous people ...

. Some consider OFUNAM to have been created in 1929 when, soon after the UNAM gained its autonomy, a group of students and professors formed an orchestra at the Faculty of Music. However, it was officially founded in 1936, with official approval granted by

Lázaro Cárdenas Lázaro Cárdenas del Río (; 21 May 1895 – 19 October 1970) was a Mexican army officer and politician who served as president of Mexico from 1934 to 1940. Born in Jiquilpan, Michoacán, to a working-class family, Cárdenas joined the Me ...

's government. It was originally called Orquesta Sinfónica de la Universidad (University Symphony Orchestra) and was conducted by

José F. Vásquez José is a predominantly Spanish and Portuguese form of the given name Joseph. While spelled alike, this name is pronounced differently in each language: Spanish ; Portuguese (or ). In French, the name ''José'', pronounced , is an old vernacul ...

and

José Rocabruna José is a predominantly Spanish and Portuguese form of the given name Joseph. While spelled alike, this name is pronounced differently in each language: Spanish ; Portuguese (or ). In French, the name ''José'', pronounced , is an old vernacul ...

. The orchestra was based at Anfiteatro Simón Bolívar. In 1966, the orchestra moved to a new hall, Auditorio Justo Sierra, at the Faculty of Philosophy and Literature. In 1966, the appointment of a new art director, Eduardo Mata, marked the start of a new period, when UNAM's Symphonic Orchestra became UNAM's Philharmonic Orchestra (OFUNAM). During this period the orchestra’s name was changed and became Orquesta Filamonica de la UNAM.

Hector Quintanar In Greek mythology, Hector (; grc, Ἕκτωρ, Hektōr, label=none, ) is a character in Homer's Iliad. He was a Trojan prince and the greatest warrior for Troy during the Trojan War. Hector led the Trojans and their allies in the defense o ...

was appointed artistic director in 1975. The following year, the orchestra moved to its current home, the

Sala Nezahualcóyotl Sala or SALA may refer to: Places Europe * Sala, the historical name of the river IJssel and home of the Salii Franks * Sala (Estonian island), one of the Uhtju islands * Sala Baganza, a municipality in Emilia-Romagna, Italy * Sala Bolognese, a ...

. From 1981 until 1984, the artistic responsibilities were in the hands of a tandem of associate conductors:

Enrique Diemecke Enrique Arturo Diemecke (born July 9, 1952) is a Mexican conductor, violinist and composer. He is currently the Artistic General Director of the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires and music director of the Buenos Aires Philharmonic and the Flint Sy ...

and Eduardo Diazmuñoz. From 1985 until 1989, it was Jorge Velzaco’s turn to be artistic director. He was followed by Jesús Medina, from 1989 until 1993. In 1994,

Ronald Zollmhan Ronald is a masculine given name derived from the Old Norse ''Rögnvaldr'', Hanks; Hardcastle; Hodges (2006) p. 234; Hanks; Hodges (2003) § Ronald. or possibly from Old English '' Regenweald''. In some cases ''Ronald'' is an Anglicised form of ...

became the new artistic director, a post he held during eight years, until 2002. Zuohuang Chen was the conductor from 2002 to 2006. In 2006, OFUNAM celebrated its 70th anniversary, Sala Nezahualcóyotl's 30th anniversary, as well as

Mozart Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (27 January 17565 December 1791), baptised as Joannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical period. Despite his short life, his rapid pace of composition r ...

's 250th birth anniversary and

Shostakovich Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich, , group=n (9 August 1975) was a Soviet-era Russian composer and pianist who became internationally known after the premiere of his First Symphony in 1926 and was regarded throughout his life as a major compo ...

's 100th birth anniversary. The Welsh Alun Francis followed Chen in 2007, assisted by the Mexican Rodrigo Macias. Presently,

Massimo Quarta Massimo, also Massimino, and Massimine () is a masculine Italian given name. Notable people with the name include: Given name: *Massimo Agostinelli (Max Agos) (born 1987), Swiss based Italian American artist, entrepreneur and activist *Massimo Ago ...

is the OFUNAM's artistic conductor.

External links

UNAM's Official Music Webpage
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ofunam Mexican orchestras National Autonomous University of Mexico Musical groups established in 1936 Articles needing translation from Spanish Wikipedia Culture articles needing translation from Spanish Wikipedia University orchestras 1936 establishments in Mexico

See also

External links