Scotland’s national orchestra elicited a standing ovation at its first concert in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Monday evening at the end of a stirring rendition of Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony.

The audience at the Au-Rene Theater in the Broward Centre for the Arts were on their feet for the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

In the hall, conductor Peter Oundjian thanked audience for its appreciation of the concert, which also featured the violinist Nicola Benedetti, noting that it was the first visit to the USA by the RSNO in 35 years.

Benedetti is playing both the Bruch and Brahms violin concertos on eight dates in the US.

RSNO chief executive Krishna Thiagarajan is driving an expansion of touring as an important part of the orchestra’s long term strategy and a further visit to America as well as a return trip to China are already at an advanced planning stage.

“Our Spanish tour earlier this year was very successful, with good venues and wonderful audiences,” he said.

“Touring is an artistic and a business proposition.

" It has to stand on its own legs financially, but the artistic benefit is outstanding, with the chance to play programmes together more than five times in a row. The pressure cooker of a tour creates a stronger ensemble for Scottish audiences.”