Ulster Orchestra Endured Northern Ireland's 'Troubles,' Now Battles Funding Crisis

Published: Oct. 16, 2014, 7:39 p.m.

The United Kingdom is blessed with any number of top-flight orchestras \u2013 the London Symphony, London Philharmonic, umpteen BBC orchestras, and specialist groups like Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. But among connoisseurs, there's one group that has often batted above its league: The Ulster Orchestra. Considered one of the jewels in Northern Ireland's cultural crown, it was\xa0founded in 1966 and has since released nearly 100 recordings and worked under many respected conductors, including JoAnn Falletta, Sergiu Commissiona and Yan Pascal Tortelier.