Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra

Baghdad, IQ 🇮🇶

The Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra (INSO) began as the Baghdad Symphony Orchestra in 1944. This was the first symphony orchestra in Iraq and was created and directed by Albert Chaffoo. It performed for approximately two years and was disbanded after Albert Chaffoo, its conductor and founder, left Iraq and returned to London to continue his musical career. Many members of the former Baghdad Symphony later formed the future Iraqi National Symphony. The orchestra became officially known as the Iraqi National Symphony in 1959 when its members began to receive a salary from the government. The INSO was abolished by the Iraqi Minister of Culture in 1962 and rehearsed underground until 1970, when it was re-established.