The London Festival Orchestra (LFO) was established in the 1950s and initially served as the house orchestra for Decca Records, directed by Peter Knight. The orchestra gained prominence through its summer festival of music in cathedrals titled Cathedral Classics, which was sponsored by American Express and British Gas. In 1980, LFO became an independent orchestra under the direction of Ross Pople. This period also saw the creation of The Warehouse, a rehearsal, recording, and concert venue located on the South Bank, marking LFO as the first British orchestra to own a permanent, independent home. Throughout its career, LFO recorded for labels such as BMG's Arte Nova, Deutsche Grammophon, Hyperion, and ASV, and performed at notable venues including the Southbank Centre, Barbican Centre, Cadogan Hall, and on international tours across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The orchestra's discography includes various albums and singles, with notable releases like "Prelude A L'Apres-Midi D'Un Faune" in 1963 and "Debussy - Prelude To The Afternoon Of A Faun" in 2012.
