RCA Italiana Opera Orchestra

Italian Opera Orchestra Ensemble

Related to the RCA Italiana Symphony Orchestra. See also: RCA Italiana Opera Chorus. Created after RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra was disbanded in the early 1960s when RCA Victor began moving much of its Red Seal recording activity to Europe and established the RCA Italiana Orchestra at its studios in Rome. The orchestra was largely made up of members from the Rome Opera House orchestra and was available for RCA Victor recording sessions only during the opera's off-season. This arrangement enabled RCA Victor to have an orchestra available for recordings without the expense of maintaining a full-time ensemble. A number of the orchestra's recordings were nominated for or received Grammy Awards.