It was the fortune of the Armenian-born millionaire, Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian (1869-1955), the biggest patron of Portuguese art that formed the basis of the Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon. The Foundation operates a permanent museum, supports and finances charitable institutions, educational programmes and various art projects. The symphony orchestra founded in 1962 has become the leading ensemble in the Portuguese music world and, following the example of the Portuguese navigators and explorers of the past, has travelled to almost forty continents on four continents. The ensemble is coming to Budapest under the direction of its music director, the outstanding American conductor Lawrence Foster.