Benacian Philharmonic Orchestra

The Benacian Philharmonic Orchestra was assembled in early 1705 AN at Chryse from amongst nominated members of music bands attached to units of the Benacian Union Defence Force who had demonstrated a baseline level of proficiency in drums, flutes, or trumpets. There was no individual to be found in Chryse, Ardashirshahr, Cortallia-Rathwood, or Merensk, who had the requisite experience of conducting such an assemblage - the musical tradition of Elwynn having effectively died with the Scouring - and the decision was made to send an agent to Northcliff to engage the services of a Florian to perform this role. A careful check of the Panopticon database of protected persons was also made in order to establish whether any composers had survived the war, this being somewhat undermined by the tendency of prisoners to lie about their professions in order to appear "useful" during the sifting process. Finally agents were sent into Hurmu, Ransenar, Sanama, and Shireroth to recruit pianists, violinists, and a harp player.

Pending the consolidation of a properly functioning orchestra, a tribune from the civil executive of Chryse was delegated the task of ensuring pay and rations for the musicians thus far assembled, and to obtain by requisition some suitable premisis to serve as a barracks and rehearsal space.

Attempts to recruit Víkingur Ólafsson, the accomplished pianist who had represented the Benacian Union at Microvision 2021, had been stymied by the discovery that he was amongst those who had been approved for resettlement in Apollonian Hurmu and who was now refusing to answer calls from the Benacian legation in Ghawlama.