Associated with the Réseau Varèse since 2009

The Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian was founded in 1956, in accordance with the will of Calouste Sarkis an enlightened amateur of the arts and philanthropist.
The Foundation supports music by granting subsidies or financing projects of its own to promote four main concerns: the musical education and professional improvement of musicians, the encouragement of contemporary music, the study and performance of lesser-known works, and the growth of public interest in music and the creation of new audiences.
The Foundation has its own resident ensembles: the Gulbenkian Orchestra and the Gulbenkian Choir which tour frequently in Portugal and abroad. Throughout the year the Gulbenkian Foundation presents concerts in Lisbon with the Choir and Orchestra, as well as hosting visits from internationally renowned orchestras, soloists and chamber ensembles.

Risto Nieminen

Director of the Music Department

Risto Nieminen studied musicology and literature at the Helsinki University. He worked at the Finnish Radio music department, the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and in Paris as artistic director for the IRCAM music centre.
He returned to Finland in 1997 to become director of the Helsinki Festival. From May 2009 he assumes the function of director of the Music Department of the Caloste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon.

Risto Nieminen is a member of the Réseau Varèse since 2009.