The Australian Chamber Orchestra was founded by cellist John Painter in 1975. Richard Tognetti was appointed Lead Violin in 1989 and subsequently appointed Artistic Director.

As well as frequent Australian tours, the Australian Chamber Orchestra often tours Asia, Europe and the USA, including regular performances at London’s Wigmore Hall, New York’s Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, Vienna’s Musikverein and Washington’s Kennedy Center.

Recordings by Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra of Bach won three consecutive ARIA Awards. The Australian Chamber Orchestra appears in the films Musical Renegades and Musica Surfica and the television series Classical Destinations series two.

In 2005, ACO2, a second ensemble combining emerging artists and Australian Chamber Orchestra musicians was formed as a training and regional touring orchestra.

Richard Tognetti performs on a 1743 Guarneri del Gesù violin and Principal Cello Timo-Veikko Valve performs on a 1729 Giuseppe Guarneri Filius Andreae cello, both on loan from anonymous benefactors. Principal Second Violin Helena Rathbone plays a 1759 J.B. Guadagnini violin on loan from the Commonwealth Bank Group.

References

1. Verghis, Sharon, "Bach with more bite pays off" Sydney Morning Herald, September 2, 2005.
2. Australian Chamber Orchestra, official website, International Touring Countries.
3. ARIA Awards, Richard Tognetti, ARIA Awards 2008, History: Winners by Artist.
4. Music Australia, Musical renegades (videorecording) : Australian Chamber Orchestra, National Library of Australia, 12 September 2005.
5. Great Southern Communications, Musica Surfica.
6. Classical Destinations, SBS, July 2009.
7. Lahey, Vanessa, The Fiddlers | ACO2, Australian Stage Online, 11 July 2009.
8. Iaccarino, Clara, "Joy at $10m violin gift in land of beer and cricket" Sydney Morning Herald, January 31, 2007.
9. Nunn, Louise, "Diva and the $1m cello", Adelaide Now, August 15, 2007.
10. Commonwealth Bank Group, Arts, In the Community.